Week 6: Penn State at Purdue

Penn State is now in the driver’s seat, able to control its destiny for a possible BCS date later this year. Standing in the way this week is a Purdue club that failed miserably last week in a non-conference contest against Notre Dame.

Looking at the matchup in terms of statistics, it’s no contest -- the Boilermakers defense ranks 10th in the conference, having allowed 26.2 points per game. That’s bad news against a Penn State offense that has scored 45 or more points in four of five games this season. But this game figures to be a shootout, and that could play into Purdue’s favor. Curtis Painter is capable of lighting up the scoreboard, and he has a wealth of weapons to work with, including wideouts Greg Orton and Desmond Tardy. The Nittany Lions talented secondary has not yet faced a passing game this good, so how well they rise to the occasion will help to determine if Penn State can continue the momentum it built up in September.

For the Boilermakers, this game is about respect. At 2-2 fans know they have yet to beat a good team, and hosting Penn State in their conference opener provides them with a prime opportunity to re-gain the respect they lost last week in South Bend.

Notes:

The Nittany Lions have lost four of the last five road games against Big Ten opponents. However, in their last visit to Purdue (2006), the Nittany Lions won 12-0.

Boilermaker running back Kory Sheets ranks second to Michigan State’s Javon Ringer in conference all-purpose yards. Sheets has gained 439 yards on the ground, 114 through the air and 219 on kick returns.

Penn State is the only Big Ten defense to rank in the top three in points allowed, defending the pass and defending the run.

Key Player (Nittany Lions) – Navorro Bowman, LB

Penn State needs to be able to contain Kory Sheets, who is just as deadly when he releases from the backfield on passing downs as when he takes the hand-off from Curtis Painter. Bowman and the other Penn State linebackers will make Sheets a priority.

Key Player (Boilermakers) – Desmond Tardy, WR

In a game sure to feature plenty of passing, Tardy may need to duplicate his 10-catch, 175-yard performance against the Fighting Irish. If Penn State contains him the Boilermakers will struggle to keep up with the Nittany Lions.

Penn State by 18