TicketCity Bowl Prediction: Penn State Nittany Lions vs Houston Cougars
Sunday, January 01, 2012
by Frank Martin
The Houston Cougars comes in looking to shake off blowing a chance to play in a BCS bowl. No. 17 Houston won its first 12 games, only to stumble badly in a 49-28 loss to Southern Mississippi in the Conference USA championship game.
Likewise, No. 23 Penn State comes in looking for focus. The Penn State Nittany Lions season was derailed by the controversy surrounding former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky that ultimately led to the firing of legendary coach Joe Paterno. Penn State lost two of its final three games and were beaten soundly by Wisconsin, 45-7 in their regular-season finale.
On the field, the enticing match-up occurs when Houston has possession. Cougars quarterback Case Keenum passed for 5,099 yards and 45 touchdowns this season, fueling the top-rated passing attack in the country for an offense that averaged 50.8 points per game. He'll take his shot against a Penn State defense ranked fifth in the nation against the pass and allowed just 15.7 points per contest.
As if Penn State hadn't suffered enough off-the-field distractions, quarterback Matt McGloin may not play after suffering a concussion and seizure during a fight with receiver Curtis Drake in the locker room on Dec. 16. Backup quarterback Rob Bolden has worked with the starting offense in practice.
- Penn State Nittany Lions @ Houston Cougars
When: 12:00 PM ET, Monday, January 2, 2012
Where: Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas, Texas
TV: ESPNU
The Cougars have opened as 7-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NCAA Football Odds.
Cougars (12-1): It's no secret what the Cougars want to do on offense. Houston leads the FBS in passing yards per game with 455.6. Keenum completed 71.7 percent of his passes and was intercepted just five times in 534 attempts. Receiver Patrick Edwards finished with 18 touchdown receptions and 1,524 yards. Running backs Charles Sims (782 yards) and Michael Hayes (707 yards) combined for 20 touchdowns. Houston's defense had steadily improved throughout the season until the blowout to Southern Mississippi. Coach Kevin Sumlin left to take the Texas A&M job on Dec. 10 and Tony Levine will serve as interim coach.
Nittany Lions (9-3): Not having McGloin under center puts a tremendous amount of pressure on interim coach Tom Bradley. Facing a Houston defense ranked 78th in the nation against the run, Penn State will look for a boost from running back Silas Redd, who rushed for 1,188 yards and seven touchdowns. Penn State has struggled to find consistency on offense all season, finishing 110th in FBS in points scored per game (19.8). Bolden played in nine games this season, but has thrown 11 interceptions against just six touchdowns in two seasons.
NCAA FOOTBALL PREDICTION: Houston 35, Penn State 14. As well as the Nittany Lions defend the pass, Keenum has too much talent to be hemmed in all game, and Penn State will struggle to move the ball against Houston's defense.
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bcs bowl - case keenum - charles sims - curtis drake - houston cougars - jerry sandusky - joe paterno - kevin sumlin - matt mcgloin - michael hayes
