Penn State @ Purdue football preview

Nittany Lions now ranked 6th in the nation as they face Boilermakers

BY THE NUMBERS: #6 Penn State battles Purdue

Date: Saturday, October 4th
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Ross-Ade Stadium / West Lafayette, IN

The national spotlight was shining bright last Saturday as Penn State passed its first test of 2008, outlasting the Fighting Illini 38-24. While recording their fifth straight double-digit victory, the Nittany Lions faced adversity for the first time with the absence of WR Jordan Norwood and when trailing 14-7 in the second quarter. But, seniors Daryll Clark and Derrick Williams kept the unbeaten streak alive by putting on an offensive display in front of more than 109,000 faithful patrons.

It’s week two in the Big Ten and the Nittany Lions will travel to West Lafayette, Indiana, this Saturday to play a Purdue Boilermakers team that is 2-2 and reeling after a 38-21 loss to Notre Dame last week. QB Curtis Painter was effective throwing for more than 350 yards and RB Kory Sheets did a nice job rushing for 87 yards, but the Boilermaker defense was torched for 476 yards including 201 yards rushing against the Irish. If Purdue wants to pull off the upset this weekend, they will need to maintain their offensive production and hope that the high-powered Penn State offense turns the ball over.

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For further analysis of this weekend’s game, let’s take a closer look at the numbers:

• 194.5 - The Purdue defense has given up an average of 194.5 rushing yards per game through four games this season. Look for an explosive Penn State rushing attack averaging 267.6 yards per game to exploit the Boilermakers’ weakness this Saturday.

• 49.8 - Penn State’s scoring average actually decreased following a 38-point performance against Illinois last. However, the Nittany Lions’ current 49.8 points per game scoring average still ranks them among the best (4 th) in the nation. Let’s just say this doesn’t bode well for a Purdue defense that is allowing 26.3 points per game this season.

• 252.2 - The Penn State defense has been solid through five games giving up an average of 252.2 total yards per game, good for 14 th in the nation. The Lions are allowing 172.6 yards per game through the air, but their secondary will face a huge test against Purdue, one of the top passing attacks in college football (16 th in nation).

• 37 / 263 - A classic example of Penn State’s dominance is its amazing 37.0 ppg scoring margin. Equally as impressive is the fact that the Nittany Lions are outgaining their opponents by an average of 263.0 yards per game. If this continues, look for Penn State to be a factor in the national championship picture in January.

Notes: Penn State moved up to #6 in both the AP and USA Today polls following their win against Illinois last week... WR Derrick Williams became the first player in the Joe Paterno era to record a rushing, receiving and kick return touchdown in the same game... Derrick Williams was also named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week... Penn State leads the series 9-3-1 against Purdue.

Prediction: Penn State 31 - Purdue 16

by Chris Goodrich
BigTen-fans.com Penn State Correspondent

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