• Penn State will open conference play at Rutgers on September 13th.  This will be the first ever Big 10 game for the Scarlet Knights.  The 9/13 date is actually the date originally scheduled for the PSU-Rutgers non-conference match.  Rather than starting from scratch, the game was just converted to a Big 10 date.  PSU will return to non-conference play the following week vs. UMass at home.
• The Lions get their first look at old eastern rival/new divisional rival Maryland in Beaver Stadium on November 1st.  This will be the first time the two schools have met since 1993, when PSU hammered the Terps in College Park 70-7.
• Ohio State returns to Beaver Stadium on October 25th.  I’ll just get this out of the way now: It will be a night game, and you will be wearing white.
• PSU returns to Michigan Stadium for the first time since 2009 on October 11th.  The Lions and Wolverines meet for the first time since 2010 this coming fall in Happy Valley.
• THE LAND GRANT TROPHY IS BACK! PSU and Michigan State will renew the battle for this in the regular season finale in Beaver Stadium on November 29th.
• The Lions will also face Northwestern at home, along with trips to Indiana and Illinois.
• Expect the 2015 schedule to include these same teams, with home field flipped.  The conference is still working out specific dates for games.  The 2015 season will be the final Big 10 season with only 8 games, as the schedule expands to 9 in 2016.

Follow VBR Lead Editor Matt de Bear on Twitter for the latest on Penn State

In what has started to become a theme, Penn State got out to another fast start, perhaps against an Illinois team that was looking forward to a big road test against Michigan on Sunday.  Regardless of the reason, PSU scored 9 straight points after the Illini got the games first field goal, to take a 9-2 lead with 14 minutes left in the half.  They would score just 11 more the rest of the way as fouls mounted, and turnovers added up.  On one hand, they were fortunate to only be down 29-20 at the half, given all of their errors, but an argument could be made they should’ve been much closer, if not for some missed chances at the free throw line, and 9 turnovers.

PSU would again assert themselves early in the second half, scoring 5 straight points to close within 4, and they would keep it close the rest of the way.  With less than 5 minutes to play, PSU would have their best chance, but a D.J. Newbill jumper was off that would have cut the lead to 2.  On the ensuing Illinois possession, the Lions would play 32 seconds of great defense, before Tracy Abrams would get to the basket for an easy layup to put the home team back up 6.  A Nick Colella three would cut the deficit to 3, but Brandon Paul would hit a triple of his own to put his team back up 6.  A PSU turnover on the next trip down the floor would essentially end their hopes.

Marshall had a dominant second half, but his teammates could not get him the ball for a long stretch as they tried to mount a comeback.  He would finish with 20 points, including 4 of 8 from behind the three point arc.  Sasa Borovnjak equaled his career high 17 points with his 3rd straight impressive performance on 7 of 10 shooting.  D.J. Newbill added 13, but it was those 7 turnovers, and 2/5 free throw shooting that will stick with him.  For the game, the Illini outscored PSU 23-9 from the free throw line.

PSU is off this weekend, before hosting current #7 Michigan next Wednesday in the Jordan Center.

Follow VBR Lead Editor Matt de Bear on Twitter for the latest on Penn State

Also, picking Oregon over USC was the easiest pick I had all year.   I said earlier that I held no hard feelings on Redd, but Kiffin has only slowed his progress, much like he does with anyone that is unfortunate enough to play for him.  Check out VBR’s article earlier this week on that subject.

Texas A&M (+16) at Alabama

If Bama loses to a once Big 12 team,  the South will cease to exist.  Luckily for them, that will not happen.  A&M has officially been my Achilles heel all year , but there is no way they are beating Bama…. Right?

Alabama 33 Texas A&M 16

West Virgina (+8) at Oklahoma State

WVU beat Baylor in the ridiculous game and people actually mentioned them as a National Championship contender.   This team is so soft and their coach is so overrated that it is starting to bother me.  Here comes their 4^th straight loss.

Oklahoma State 47 WVU 43

Oregon State (+5.5) at Stanford

Another game that is decent, but not great.  Oregon State had that great start, but Stanford and their uber-conservative coach vs. ND will prevail.

Stanford 28 Oregon State 21

Kansas State at TCU (No Line)

If Klein plays, KSU should win, but that seems very uncertain right now.  TCU just beat that overrated WVU team, but they will catch KSU sans Klein and a pumped up crowd to take down #2.

TCU 24 Kansas State 16

Minnesota (-2.5) at Illinois

Ron Johnson’s alma mater vs. Tim Beckman in an all time Idiot Bowl.  These teams are so bad that I am pretty sure anyone who watches this will become depressed and swear never to watch football again.  Beckman will punt with :04 seconds left in the game to preserve the one point loss / moral victory.

Minnesota 10 Illinois 9

Upset Special

Louisville (-3) at Syracuse

BOB’s good buddy Doug Marrone will have the Carrier Dome so loud…. well, just kidding, but they will be pumped to knock off undefeated Louisville and really upset the powers that be of the Big East.

Syracuse 24 Louisville 22

Season Record 38-21(5-5 on Upset Specials)

Follow Evil Bill O’Brien on Twitter!

EVIL BILL O’BRIEN IS IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH PENN STATE UNIVERSITY OR HEAD COACH BILL O’BRIEN

Here’s a look at some twitter feedback from the game!

“Gotta give Beckman credit, he knew the Penn State players were better than his players.” -Lou Holtz on Illinois’ recruiting of PSU players

— Greg Zelinske (@gregzelinske) September 30, 2012

In fairness, that’s just what we think Lou said…  

It would appear that Tim Beckman coming to Illinois is worse than any sanctions the NCAA hit Penn State with.New low point for Illini fb. — Paul Rieken (@PaulRieken) September 30, 2012

One could argue that losing the last 6 in 2011, then firing Zook before giving up 50 at home to Louisiana Tech are all low points in the running, but point taken.  

Did anyone else see these folks at the Illinois-Penn State game? twitter.com/n3benson/statu… — Nancy Benson (@n3benson) September 30, 2012

They stand out in a crowd! Or in an empty stadium, in this case.

How do you get blown out by Penn State? Illinois has to be the worst team in the country.

— EJ (@Ejayjones3) September 30, 2012

If this were math class, you would get half credit. Your answer is right, but the work used to achieve it is flawed.

Penn state won today in a very solid fashion. Shameful how Illinois played looking for headshots all day

— matt g (@Phillyfan4lfe) September 30, 2012

Was that the case? Two flags and an ejection certainly came across as strange.

Penn State whooped Illinois like they stole somethin

— #RobSimer (@RSimer2) September 29, 2012

Technically, it was like they TRIED to steal something…

For all of the latest on the Penn State Nittany Lions, follow VBR Lead Editor Tim Tolley on Twitter.

Offensive Player of the Game

Sep 29, 2012; Champaign, IL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Zach Zwinak (28) tries to avoid a tackle by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Glenn Foster (91) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-US PRESSWIRE

Zach Zwinak

The 235 pound fullback-turned-half back turned in Penn State’s first 100 yard rushing performance of the season on just 19 carries and scored twice. He played a key role in chewing up the clock against the Illini defense by punishing them play after play in the 2nd half. Zach now has 196 yards rushing over the last two weeks and gives this offense a different dimension as a power running back.

HONORABLE MENTION: Matt McGloin

Matt McGloin completed 18 of 30 passes (60%) for 211 yards and a touchdown while “rushing” for two more. Odd as it may sound, this may have been his worst game of the year. He seemed rushed at times and struggled with accuracy at others. Still, he avoided turning the ball over and didn’t make any terrible mistakes.

Zach Zwinak had his first career 100 yard game on 19 carries and chewed the clock most of the 3rd and 4th quarter. He also had a a rushing touchdown.

The Illini defense kept a close eye on Allen Robinson and the standout wide receiver had just 3 catches for 35 yards. That allowed guys like other guys like Matt Lehman (5 70 1) to capitalize on the lack of attention. O’Brien had tight ends lined up in the backfield on multiple occasions and in different formations. That will give opposing teams another headache when it comes to watching film on the Nittany Lions.

The secondary was not tested much of the day and gave up the lone TD on a trick play.  The front seven gave up a 52 yard run to Donovonn Young, but allowed just 22 yards on the other 21 carries. That is a fantastic job by those guys.

Michael Mauti had his best effort of the day, intercepting 2 touchdowns, returning one for a Penn State record 99 yards and had a sack. Not enough can be said about his effort through the first five games.

Penn State will host Northwestern at noon next Saturday for Homecoming. The Wildcats will enter that game 5-0.

For all of the latest on the Penn State Nittany Lions, follow VBR Lead Editor Tim Tolley on Twitter.

It’s good to have Bill Belton back. He hasn’t been a huge factor, but you can just tell that he is capable of doing things that his replacements have not.

To piggyback on that, the line is opening huge holes right now. The drive that Zwinak was featured on was an impressive set of snaps from the hogs up front. It would have been interesting to see a guy like Belton in on those plays.

McGloin struggled early with accuracy issues. He’ll need to get that worked out but his TD pass to Lehman was on point.

The Illinois defense is keeping an eye on Allen Robinson. Every time he goes out wide, you can see the safeties take notice and shift. Expect to see more of that as the season goes along. Fortunately, Penn State’s tight ends have a chance to flourish on the backside.

Defensively, Michael Mauti is a beast.

Nathan Scheelhaase hasn’t ran the ball much, which is a bit of a surprise. He might try to do more of that in the 2nd half. Penn State’s linebackers will likely be up to it.

Not much that Illinois is doing has been working, especially on offense.

Has anybody ever seen a player ejected for a tackle like that?

Also, poor Sam Ficken.

For all of the latest on the Penn State Nittany Lions, follow VBR Lead Editor Tim Tolley on Twitter.

As I digress, Penn State enters the 2012 Big Ten slate riding the crest of a two-game winning streak.  They look to make it three games in a row when they travel to Champaign-Urbana to take on the Fighting Illini.  This game also marks Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien’s first game in the Big Ten as well as Illini head coach Tim Beckman’s first conference game.

The last time the Nittany Lions took to the road, they went to Charlottesville, VA and played the Cavaliers of Virginia.  They came away from the game with a loss, and needing to fix some glaring holes, especially in the special teams category, but they also found a defensive pass rush and the ability to generate a pass rush.

In order for the Nittany Lions to escape Illinois with a win, they are going to have to employ the same tactics as they did at Virginia…but this time they have to make the field goals!

Even though I will not be attending tomorrow’s game, here’s what I will be watching for:

They’re going to do this on Saturday:

Many have copied the Penn State patented Whiteout, but this is a gross attempt to be different. It looks like orange and purple, as though each fan is told to bring one of the remaining popsicles left in their freezer and these are the two nasty flavors left. Just go with all orange. Or better yet, tell your fans not to even show because you don’t want anybody to witness Louisiana Tech hanging 50 on you.

“Illinois Illini” is repetitively redundant.

How about following the Penn State game Saturday, the Ohio Ohioans face the Michigan State Michiganian Staters? Is creativity frowned upon in Illinois? We get it, Indians lived in the midwest. You don’t have to remind people multiple times during every reference of your school.

Angry Alum, Dick Butkus

Just kidding, Mr. Butkus, sir. Big fan. Love your work. Sorry to wake you. Take care.

Location, Location, Location

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign? Well which one is it? Who builds a university in the middle of two towns that no one has ever heard of? Just be from Chicago for Pete’s sake! Are you intentionally hoping that people get lost in Deliverance while searching for the suburbs of Urbana? Good luck next year, when you travel to The Pennsylvania State University at Johnstown-Bellefonte! Absurd.

They are a part of the worst trophy game in college football.

Every year, Ohio State and Illinois play for the “Illibuck” trophy. Get it? Half ILLIni, half BUCKeye, half ninja turtle…In fairness, Illinois doesn’t get to see this furry? little thing too often, but they still have their name attached to it, and that’s punishable.

They are bullies.

Your biggest rival is Northwestern? Really? Way to pick on the smart kids for a couple of years before you head off to work for them for the rest of your life. I’m sure you’re mad because they stole the purple popsicle look from you but they’re good kids and Michael Wilbon is awesome. As is Pat Fitzgerald. Come to think of it, everything Northwestern is more awesome than Illinois.

Tim Beckman, obviously.

Did Illinois head coach Tim Beckman operate within the rules in July/August when he sent somewhere around eight coaches to Penn State to recruit players? Yes. Did any other Big Ten team do it? No. Were Urban Meyer and Bret Bielema bigger gentlemen than Beckman, regarding this situation? Yep. Did Tim Beckman have his coaching staff camped out on College Ave. then say “To be clear, we weren’t on the Penn State campus…” Yes he did.
Hey Tim, I’ve been to Penn State and College Ave. is pretty much ON THE PENN STATE CAMPUS! And what kind of stipulation is that to hide behind? Yes we chartered a plane to State College in mid-summer and filled it with enough coaches to form a baseball team, just to camp them out at half of the restaurants 8 feet from campus in case a football player happened to wander within earshot so that we could sell him on how comfortable our bench is…but let’s not get confused and say that we were on the campus!
If you’re going to be that guy, then be him. Lying to yourself in order to make you think that what you did was normal is fine, but don’t talk to me like I’m stupid, too. Looking back, maybe those eight coaches would have been better served looking over film of Louisiana Tech instead of memorizing the menu at The Corner Room and Cafe…

For all of the latest on the Penn State Nittany Lions, follow VBR Lead Editor Tim Tolley on Twitter.

Illinois University

Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

Head Coach: Tim Beckman (23-18 career)

2011 Record: 7-6

2012 Record: 2-2

Returning 14 starters; 7 on offense, 7 on defense.

Key Players: 

QB #2 Nathan Scheelhaase: In the offseason, I named Nathan the third best quarterback in the conference. Coming off a season that saw him throw for 2110 yards and run for another 624 yards, I expected big things from the mobile junior. So far, Sheelhaase has battled injuries and has amassed just 215 yards in two games played. Make no mistake about it, however, this kid is dangerous and will look to give the Penn State defense fits.

RB #6 Josh Ferguson: The redshirt freshman has stepped up, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and hauling in an additional 14 catches for 106 yards. Illinois will use two running backs, but Ferguson is the home run threat.

WR #12 Ryan Lankford: After catching 12 balls in all of 2011, Lankford has hit his stride in Beckman’s spread attack. Thus far in 2012, he has 16 catches for 243 yards and 4 touchdowns.

LB #45 Jonathan Brown: After a 108 tackle campaign in 2011, Brown is filling up the stat sheet in 2012. Through four games, he has 26 tackles, including 5 TFL and 2.5 sacks.

SUMMARY:

Expectations were high heading into 2012 but losses to Arizona State and Louisiana Tech have people re-assessing those expectations. Over the last few years, talent has never been the issue for the Illini, as they have sent several players to the NFL in that span. After the firing of head coach Ron Zook and subsequent hiring of Beckman from Toledo, fans hoped that the coaching issue would be fixed.

An injury to starting quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase forced sophomore Reilly O’Toole into action on the road against Arizona State in what would be a 45-14 loss. Scheelhaase returned last week against Louisiana Tech but was pulled after an ineffective first quarter. Nathan is the leader of this team and I fully expect him to return back to form this week .

The Illinois defense is having a strong season against the run thus far, but is allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 62% of their passes for 224 yards per game. Keep in mind, those stats include a 44-0 beating of Charleston Southern, whose quarterbacks went a combined 5-17 for 29 yards. Outside of that, Illinois is allowing an average of 289 yards passing per game. Expect Bill O’Brien to spread out the offense and let Matt McGloin sling it around a bit.

Fun Facts:

• Illinois has lost three of their last four Big Ten openers.
• Illinois has forced 1o turnovers through 2012 but have turned the ball over 11 times, including 6 last week.
• The Illini are converting less than 40% of their 3rd downs on offense.
• Through four games, Illinois is outscoring opponents by a total score of 106-014.
• Louisiana Tech wide receiver Quinton Patton had 6 catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns against Illinois last week.
• Following this week’s game against Penn State, Illinois travels to Wisconsin and Michigan the next two weeks.

For all of the latest on the Penn State Nittany Lions, follow VBR Lead Editor Tim Tolley on Twitter.