Jedd Fisch Is The Key

Heading into a cold, rainy, sloppy mess of a game at Penn State, it is imperative that offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch do everything in his power to establish the run, and control the ball. Between Adam Weber's inconsistent play, the home-field advantage that PSU enjoys, and the inclement weather, the Gophers simply can not afford to fall behind early, or by more than a touchdown or ten points. The much-maligned Gopher offensive line has begun to play better as of late, leading the way to 2 strong rushing performances at Northwestern and home against Purdue. After averaging roughly 180 yards rushing in those 2 games, we must see kid genius Fisch stick to a steady diet of runs, be it sweeps to the edge utilizing Whaley's speed, or possible straight dives utilizing Bennett's drive and power as the largest of the 3 backs. Of course, that same line managed all of 4 first downs rushing and 57 yards total on the ground home against a stout Wisconsin front. Much like the arrogant Madison squad, the PSU defense boasts a stout defensive line, and a supposedly weak secondary. Unlike the Wisconsin game, the weather (and Adam Weber's JaMarcus Russell-like accuracy) most likely will not allow us to take advantage of the PSU secondary.

Fisch must mix it up as well, and see if some called MarQueis Gray scrambles or reverses to one of our tight ends would work. In particular, I remember sophomore Eric Lair showing some speed and athleticism when called upon to do so vs. Wisconsin. Fisch has to keep pounding the ball from a variety of formations, and can't fall in love with having Weber throw out of the gun, even if we get in an early hole. This is exactly the type of game where we need to see every single athlete we have being utilized and seeing what shakes out. We are a heavy dog, and have to play loose to get after this team.

That being said, the PSU offense boasts a bevy of weapons the likes of which the Gophers haven't seen since the Cal game. The Lions are 23rd in the nation in total offense, with a nice balance between the run and the pass. Of course, piling up 31 points on Akron and Temple, and 52 on Eastern Illinois boosts those numbers. Hopefully our D can slow the Nittany Lion attack a bit more than Illinois did in surrendering 35 points.

If, and it is a huge IF, our D/ST can keep the Nittany Lions under 28 points, and IF our offense can consistently move the chains and put some points up on the board, we can look for Brew's first signature win. To do that, we need to see Bandana Man's Man-Crush Troy Stoudamire continue his unbelievable return year by breaking one (or two!) to put up some quick td's.

Jedd Fisch, please, please stay with the rushing attack and keep the PSU offense off the field.