Getting away from Pennsylvania can only be a good thing for Penn State this week. Itâs also not like they didnât lose to a quality team in Ohio, who are well coached and perennially playing in a bowl game. Virginia on the other hand dominated in their win over Richmond, but thatâs a much easier opponent than Ohio. Virginia also comes into the season with wholesale changes on defense and a lack of consistency on offense much like Penn State. To me these two teams are quite similar in nature and there is a huge over reaction to Penn Stateâs home loss to Ohio that is being put into this line. When it comes down to who has the advantage it all starts up front for both teams which is what we will review below.
Defensive coach Larry Johnson will continue to rotate on defense keeping everyone fresh. The Nittany Lions have good size and enough speed to be good against the run once again despite the loss of Devon Still. Look out for DT Jordan Hill to penetrate a rebuilt offensive line of Virginia with a lot of help from the linebackers. Linebacker trio Gerald Hodges, Glenn Carson, and Mike Mauti will be just fine with plenty of stardom and experience. With a healthy Mauti this group still can be one of the best in the conference if they stay healthy as they all can tackle and are the true strength of the team.
The Cavs are loaded at running back with all three players returning from last year including feature back Perry Jones who ran for 915 alone. Depth wonât be an issue with a group that averaged no fewer than 4.7 yards a piece, but they really lack that home run threat which could hurt them against a good tackling bunch in Penn State. They also run behind an offensive line that will replace two starters on the interior which could create a lot of issues running up the gut especially with Jordan Hill awaiting them. On the other hand they should be great in pass protection with two of the best tackle combinations in the nation.
The Cavs lost 3 of the 4 starters along the defensive line and there will be a lack of pass rush all year long which is not a good combination to go with a rebuilt secondary. They were 90th in sacks a year ago and now theyâll be worse, but luckily they face Penn State who is incompetent at passing the ball. At linebacker there are two key starters returning in what is the strength of the defense. They have veteran leadership with Reynolds and Greer, but there is a weak link in Tucker Windle that opposing running games like Penn State will look to expose.
Penn State is still trying to get rhythm up front especially at running back, but more than anything I think this is a game where Matt McGloin can shine. It's clear what Bill O'Brien wants to do on offense and Virginia couldn't get a single sack against a Richmond team that passed the ball 43 times. McGloin should be able to put up some points with the way he threw the ball last week 27/48 260 yards, 2TD/INT's. Watch out for TE Kyle Carter to have another big game as Virginia features a rebuilt secondary. Lastly, Virginia's special teams leaves a lot to be desired with a new punter and place kicker which should play a factor in Penn State having a shot to win this game late.
