Preview Game 6 – October 10 – Eastern Illinois

The Eastern Illinois Panthers are cupcake number four on the schedule.   In all seriousness, Eastern Illinois is not Appy State, and Penn State certainly isn’t Michigan.   I don’t think that Penn State needs to fear an upset of Appy State proportions.  With that said, Penn State still need to improve in week six and the best way to do that is to play a full 60 minutes of football.

Penn State will not need to look forward to the Minnesota game in week 7.  So do not expect Penn State to change the way they need to play in this game.  If anything, Penn State will go conservative and the second and third string players get more playing time.

Note on National Rankings: EIU plays Div 1-AA football, their rankings are from Div 1-AA and only serve as a weak comparison to PSU’s Div 1-A rankings.

Eastern Illinois Offense vs. PSU Defense
National Rankings Category	EIU Actual	EIU Rank		PSU Rank	PSU Actual	National Rankings Category
Scoring Offense	22.67	73		8	14.38	Scoring Defense
Total Offense	303.92	95		8	280.08	Total Defense
Passing Offense	160.92	92		27	186.85	Pass Defense
Passing Efficiency	130.57	44		19	107.79	Pass Efficiency Defense
Rushing Offense	143.00	57		8	93.23	Rushing Defense
Red Zone Offense Pct	.79	60		97	.88	Red Zone Defense
1st Down Offense/Game	16.25	98		9	15.58	1st Down Defense
3rd Down Conversion Pct	40.7	50		15	32.2	3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense
4th Down Conversion Pct	38.5	76		87	54.2	4th Down Conversion Pct Defense
Sacks Allowed/Game	1.83	57		24	2.54	Sacks/Game
Tackles For Loss Allowed	5.50	40		44	46.23	Tackles For Loss/Game

In a match between a below average Div 1-AA offense and Penn State’s high power defense, do not expect a lot of offense from the Panthers.  Last year, EIU ranked 95 in total offense in Div 1-AA football.  EIU returns their starting quarter back from 2008 but does not return their starting flanker, h-back and running back.  Expect zero to negative yards rushing for EIU.

Eastern Illinois Defense vs. PSU Offense
National Rankings Category	EIU Actual	EIU Rank		PSU Rank	PSU Actual	National Rankings Category
Scoring Defense	23.42	48		11	38.92	Scoring Offense
Total Offense	362.58	75		14	448.92	Total Offense
Pass Defense	173.00	25		37	243.08	Pass Offense
Passing Efficiency Defense	123.80	59		19	145.35	Pass Efficiency
Rushing Defense	189.58	96		17	205.85	Rushing Offense
Red Zone Defense	.81	71		6	.92	Red Zone Offense
1st Down Defense	20.42	89		18	23.08	1st Down Offense/Game
3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense	42.8	90		6	52.0	3rd Down Conversion Pct
4th Down Conversion Pct Defense	26.3	5		88	38.5	4th Down Conversion Pct
SacksGame	1.42	93		4	21.00	Sacks Allowed
Tackles For Loss/Game	7.67	11		4	3.85	Tackles For Loss Allowed

Two keys for Penn State: Stephfon Green and Evan Royster.  IEU was ranked 89th in rushing defense in Div 1-AA football in 2008.  Penn State returns its backfield that was ranked 17th in Div 1-A football in 2008.   This game should be about giving the stable of tailbacks at State an opportunity to run the ball.  Kevin Newsome should also see significant playing time..

Turnovers - Time of Possession - Penalties
National Rankings Category	EIU Actual	EIU Rank		PSU Rank	PSU Actual	National Rankings Category
Turnover Margin	.42	35		25	.54	Turnover Margin
Turnover Gained	24	40		14	16	Turnovers Lost
Turnovers Lost	19	30		58	23	Turnovers Gained
Fumbles Recovered	12	31		49	10	Fumbles Lost
Fumbles Lost	12	80		97	7	Fumbles Recovered
Passes Intercepted	12	52		4	6	Passes had Intercepted
Passed had Intercepted	7	16		26	16	Passes Intercepted
Fewest Penalties/Game	5.25	32		3	3.77	Fewest Penalties/Game
Fewest Yards Penalized/Game	50.57	49		3	31.38	Fewest Yards Penalized/Game
Time of Possession	30:00	79		16	31:44	Time of Possession

Special Teams
National Rankings Category	EIU Actual	EIU Rank		PSU Rank	PSU Actual	National Rankings Category
Punt Returns	14.67	11		15	5.33	Punt Return Defense
Punt Return Defense	10.58	80		39	10.36	Punt Returns
Net Punting	33.79	39		11	37.86	Net Punting
Kickoff Returns	21.09	39		65	21.26	Kickoff Return Defense
Kickoff Return Defense	23.57	102		10	24.54	Kickoff Returns

EIU will be replacing their place kicker and punter this season.  It is the sixth game of the year, which is adequate time to gain game experience.  Like other the categories of play, there really isn’t a comparison between Div-IA and I-AA football other than at Div-IA the game is faster.  Penn State has speed and clearly wins in the special teams category.

Prediction

There is nothing to boast about here.  It is almost embarrassing.  Penn State wins.  Hopefully all PSU players make it through the game without injury. I don’t like the idea of playing needless games.  If I go to the game, it will because it is a beautiful autumn day that is ideal for tailgating.  Sorry to be a fair weather fan, but if it rains I’ll be at home switching between the game on BTN and watching real football on other stations. 
   
 

Comments

links of london

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and I-AA football other than at Div-IA the game is faster. Penn State has speed and clearly wins in the special teams category.

Tuesday 06 October 2009, 17:28

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fanon75

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I am an Eastern Illinois Alum and you summed this up perfect. I will be happy if Eastern scores 10 points against a far superior opponent.

Friday 09 October 2009, 10:03

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