The Penn State Nittany Lions will take the field for one final time this season when the meet up with the Georgia Bulldogs in the TaxSlayer Bowl on January 2. Head coach James Franklin and his Nittany Lions will be looking to end a three-game losing streak and get a win over a quality SEC opponent.
Consensus All-American defensive end Carl Nassib and fellow defensive end Garrett Sickels are both healthy and will provide a boost to a defense that was riddle by injuries, especially at the end of the regular season.
On offense, Penn State will look to make some improvements now that former offensive coordinator John Donovan is gone. It will be interesting to see how the offense looks under interim offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne.
Both Penn State and Georgia have struggling offenses and tough defenses, meaning that the TaxSlayer bowl could be a low-scoring affair. However, as we’ve seen in the past, anything can happen in college football.
Check out the VBR staff predictions for the TaxSlayer Bowl.
Lead Editor Barry Leonard Jr.
It’s been a month since we’ve seen the Nittany Lions on the field, but I haven’t forgotten how and the offense looked in the month of November. Add in the fact that Georgia is one of the best overall defenses in the nation and the absolute best against the pass, and it could be another long day for the Nittany Lions.
However, with that said, I’m curious to see what the play-calling will look like now that John Donovan is gone. It can’t be any worse than what it was, so things have to get better. I’m not expecting much from the passing game, even if Christian Hackenberg is essentially auditioning for the NFL.
I do look for Saquon Barkley to have a big game, as he’s already shown that he can run against some of the best defenses in FBS.
Now that Penn State is fairly healthy on defense, I’m expecting the Nittany Lions to be able to shut down Georgia. Stopping running back Sony Michel will be key, and I think the Wild Dogs will be up to the task.
The game likely won’t be pretty, but I’m going with my gut on this one and predicting a Nittany Lion victory. Penn State wins 14-10.
Staff Writer Shane Lunnen
After weeks of prep, the TaxSlayer Bowl is finally here. Bowl games mostly come down to who wants it more. Outside of the playoff games, these games are all glorified exhibition contests. On paper Georgia is the better team but it’s hard to see them having much motivation for this one with all the upheaval on the coaching staff. Georgia seems like a team ready for the Kirby Smart era to begin and for this season to end.
With the extra time off, I think Penn State will come out a refreshed and relaxed team. Barkley should run for 100 yards in this one and hopefully add a score. I think Hackenberg will be pressured most of the day, but will get a few chances to show off his arm in what could be his last game as a Nittany Lion. The defensive line will be ready to go with a healthy Nassib so expect them to get after Bulldog quarterback Greyson Lambert. Forcing a couple turnovers would be nice too.
I think the Penn State offense will do just enough and the defense will hold Georgia in check for most of the day. The Nittany Lions will get the victory and we can start looking forward to the 2016 season.
Penn State wins 17-13
Staff Writer Marty Leap
For a few different reasons, this is a very intriguing matchup for the Nittany Lions. First off, these are two very similar teams. Both Penn State and Georgia play strong defense, but struggle on offense. So I would not expect a lot of points in this game.
Secondly, the motivation of Georgia is something I wonder about heading into this game. The Bulldogs were a team expected to compete for a spot in the playoff this season and when they were 4-0 that appeared to be happening. However, they got blown out by Alabama, lost Nick Chubb who is arguably the best running back in the country for the season against Tennessee, and eventually saw Mark Richt and the school part ways.
Furthermore, many of Georgia’s assistants have also left the program since the end of the season and those who are left already have one foot out the door. If Georgia comes out motivated in this game, then the staff and players alike deserve a lot of credit.
As for the Nittany Lions, there is a lot of motivation there. First off, the team has not won a game since Halloween and does not want to finish the season on a four game losing streak. Back-to-back 7-6 seasons would sting as well. Plus, this would also be the signature win that Coach Franklin has yet to secure at Penn State.
The Nittany Lions will be the healthiest they have been all season in this game. While Jordan Lucas and Nyeem Wartman-White will still be out, everyone else will be at 100%. I think Christian Hackenberg will be very motivated, for many reasons, and have a good game. It should be noted that while Georgia does have a very strong defense, they’re 94th nationally in sacks. So, Hack should have time to throw.
Georgia quarterback Greyson Lambert has really struggled against top notch defenses this year, and that’s what Penn State has. I think Lambert turns the ball over a time or two, Hack is sharp and protects the ball, Barkley scores a touchdown, and the Nittany Lions capture a close victory.
Penn State 21
Georgia 16
Staff Writer Nick Lemon
On paper Penn State drew a very difficult bowl match up. Considering its struggles at times this season, an 8-5 record capped with a win over a quality SEC opponent would be a very respectable ending to the 2015 season. Georgia enters the game riding a four-game winning streak and has the talent, especially on the defensive side of the football to shut Penn State down. However, the impact of the Bulldog coaching transition on bowl preparations and game day play-calling may help the Nittany Lions neutralize the talent gaps. Regardless, ultimately the TaxSlayer Bowl will come down to the execution by the 22 players on the field.
With Christian Hackenberg and the wide receivers facing an elite Georgia secondary, Saquon Barkley will be the cornerstone of interim-OC Ricky Rhane’s (hopefully improved) offensive game plan. Barkley will need over 200 all-purpose yards to keep the Lions competitive. Fresh off of a month’s rest I think he gets there with some creative play calling and a workhorse-like outing that has a few highlight film plays mixed in.
The Nittany Lion defense reaps the benefits of a healthy Carl Nassib returning to the lineup and the memorable 2015 Wild Dogs savor their last game as a unit. Penn State gives up yardage but manages to keep the Bulldog offense in check and out of the end zone just enough to keep it close.
In an optimal ending to the 2015 season, Penn State and Coach Franklin get the momentum-building upset win over a high-quality SEC opponent, 24-20.