Recap of Predictions for Illinois Game

The Nittany Turkey Esteemed Panel of Experts’ Predictions:

Here they are. Bragging rights accrue to the best predictor. Still not too late to get yours in!

Big Al – PSU 20, Illinois 16

“The team that has the fewest turnovers wins this game. If the turnovers are even, State wins. Neither team is good enough to win with a negative turnover margin. If I were betting on this shisser, I would take Illinois and the under. Assuming an even turnover margin, I think State wins by about 4 points – something like 20-16.”

K. John – PSU 38, Illinois 9

“On a cold wet day, the State defense shows up, shuts down the run forcing Illinois to throw, throw and throw some more. The sacks come in bunches and so do the turnovers.

“State plays it safe on offense turning to their new found running game which shows up for the second straight week as Dieffenbach takes more snaps and Mangiro settles into his new home at guard. Mahon, Gaia and Dowrey do not play a down until the fourth quarter and the line provides Hack with good protection and Hack does well with what he is given going deep a few times.”

Mike G. – PSU 24, Illinois 13

“Cold weather will keep the scoring low. Penn State defense should dominate.”

Joe – PSU 27, Illinois 14

“On a gloomy, rainy day in Illinois the Lions get #7 to the tune of 27-14. Defense will screw up coverage on a couple of deep throws and the offense will score 3 TD’s by land or air-I don’t care which way as long as they score. I’m not convinced the running game is there yet, even though pretty much everyone is gushing about it from last week, but the Illini rush defense is really, really bad so I do expect some measure of success.”

Drozz – PSU 34, Illinois 20

“PSU sticks to the ground game and the O/U on Hack pass attempts is set at 18.”

TNT – PSU 23, Illinois 18

“I’m going to be cynical about the Penn State offense and its ability to score points this year. Red zone woes continue, turnovers keep happening, Hack is ineffectual in the pocket, and the running game provided a suspect bright spot last week. Can problems be reversed and the trend of the running game in the waning days of the 2014 regular season? Nahhhh, methinks not. But the vaunted Penn State defense could easily score two touchdowns. Penn State 23, Illinois 18 (that’s three touchdowns, each with a missed extra point for Illinois), in another slopfest.”

Knock, Knock!

Anyone else care to chime in? RD, with your usual 41-10? AS?