Nittany Lions looking to bounce back against Buffalo
Speechless, disgusted, and disappointed are three words that come to mind after Penn State's 27-10 loss to Temple last week.
It certainly wasn't the start James Franklin and the Nittany Lions were looking for and it's evident that Franklin's ravings about the offensive line being the most improved unit on the team were also misguiding.Most Penn State fans believe that now that the sanctions are over, that the beginning of the year struggles would be over as well. On paper, they have every right to feel that way. Penn State's roster is chalked full of talent and its roster is certainly talented enough to beat Temple right?It might have been wishful thinking on the fans part and some of the media's part to believe that everything would just go back to normal after the sanctions were over. Honestly, who could really blame them? Penn State had a talented receiving group coming back, first-round NFL draft propects, junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg, and a host of talented guys returning on defense. The stage was set for Penn State to re-emerge and take its place back with college football's elite.However, there was one thing that everyone knew could hold them back from any type of success and that was the play of the offensive line. A unit that gave up 44 sacks a year ago was the focal point of the off-season and it was almost talked about at nauseam by James Franklin and every other media outlet that covered the team.Well, that question was answered last Saturday and the answer was worse than anyone could've possibly imagined. The answer was 10 sacks and no room to run except for a 33-yard Brandon Polk sweep in the first quarter and a 42-yard touchdown run by Akeel Lynch. It was once again a disaster up front for the offensive and surprisingly the defensive line. It was a pure dominant Temple performance from an Owls team that looked more talented and more prepared than the Nittany Lions.Now starts the blame game and there is criticism being handed out to everyone from James Franklin, to offensive coordinator John Donovan, to the offensive line, and to Christian Hackenberg.Here's how it looks to me. In my opinion, when you're not able to block then everything else offensively kind-of goes out the window. But James Franklin and his staff had to know the offensive line wasn't going to be much better to start this season and if they didn't, then yes their coaching ability should be questioned.A game plan should've been devised around the fact that Temple was probably going to be able to get pressure on Hackenberg. Are James Franklin and his staff trying to tell me that Temple's defensive backs are so good that not one Penn State receiver could get open against the Temple secondary and its man press defense? That's pretty hard to believe.I also think that it may be time for a change at offensive coordinator. The offense just isn't working and I think a change would mix some things up.It's evident that some things need to get shaken up at Penn State. Some guys need to be shuffled around and Franklin mentioned in his press conference this week that they were in the process of doing that.I also think people are forgetting the fact that Temple is a pretty good football team. I said last week; do not sleep on the Owls. When you have a team like Temple, which is talented and hungry to take that next step that creates a solid formula for success.Defensively, Penn State needs to be better.Losing Nyeem Wartman-White for the season during the Temple game will not make that easy and defensive tackle standouts Anthony Zettel and Austin Johnson were non-factors last week. Starting linebacker Brandon Bell, who was having a nice game against the Owls before he got injured is questionable for the games vs. Buffalo this week. Simply put, the Nittany Lion's defense needs to get after it this week by playing more aggressive and by bringing more pressure.So, that brings us to the question of what now? On the docket this week is Buffalo, which is another team Penn State is expected to defeat. The Bulls took care of business last week against FCS school Albany by a score of 51-14.The Bulls rushed for 212 yards and four scores and quarterback Joe Licata threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns.All the stats in the world don't really mean much though in this one. This is a must win for Penn State and the Nittany Lions are the more talented football team.What I would like to see are adjustments to be made from last week. Move the pocket around more to give Hackenberg more time to throw. Commit to the running game a bit more and let Akeel Lynch get in a groove. Lastly, take some chances downfield. If you have the horses let them run and see what they can do for you.If things don't change this week then I'll jump on the bandwagon and take it to Franklin and his staff, but for now I think just a little more patience is needed.Penn State is favored over Buffalo by 19.5 points.My prediction is Penn State 40, Buffalo 16.