#12 Penn State vs. #22 Illinois

STOP HYPING PENN STATE BECAUSE OREGON STATE BEAT USC. It doesn't mean anything. USC would have won that game: a) Had it been played anywhere else, or b) 9/10 times. Penn State is not better than USC because they beat Oregon State. That's faulty logic. Yes, Penn State looks great right now, but we still haven't proven anything yet. OSU had to travel cross country and play in the toughest stadium in all of football, that's a daunting task for any team. So please, please do not overhype Penn State until we start beating real teams. I don't want to anger the College Football Gods.

Anyways, Penn State's first real test rolls into Beaver Stadium this week. #22 Illinois comes in riding a 3 point victory over the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns. Not exactly a stellar win, nor a win that strikes fear into the heart of opponents. Penn State is coming off a 45-3 drubbing of Temple. A game in which they blitzed 0 times and came up with seven official sacks, and at least five more plays that i thought should have counted as sacks. Again, a victory over Temple isn't exactly something to be awed about either, but Penn State's defense looked the best it has all season while facing possibly the best QB they had to handle to date. This will be a statement win for whomever pulls out the victory in the end.

Offense:
Penn State's offense is fourth in the nation in scoring, while Illinois put up 42 on Mizzou before looking anemic vs. the Cajuns and looking shaky against Eastern Illinois. Illini QB Juice Williams will be the key to Illinois attack as he is a threat to pass and rush. His main target will be wide receiver Arrelious Benn, who had a monster year last year, and had a monster game against Mizzou, but has only had 58 yards on 8 catches over his past two games. If Penn State can shut down the passing game and force Illinois to run, the Illini are in trouble. Williams has been the team's leading rusher this season after the departure of Rashard Mendenhall. His replacement, Daniel Dufrene, has averaged 6.7 yards a carry this season, but hasn't found the endzone. The Illini also have depth issues at RB and will be without their starting right tackle.

Penn State on the other hand has dominated on the ground and through the air this season. They have a very balanced attack, as they've averaged 274 rushing yards per game and 264 passing. Evan Royster leads the way with 379 yards and 7 TDs on just 47 carries. He's averaging 8.1 yards a carry. He's been spelled by redshirt freshman Stephon Green who as blazing speed and has made defenders miss to the tune of 292 yards on 40 carries for a 7.3 yards per carry average and 4 TDs. Penn State also throws the ball around pretty well as they have speedster do-it-all WR Derrick Williams, Jordan Norwood (best hands in the nation) and Deion Butler who always seems to come up with a big play. Darryl Clark and Pat Devlin have been splitting snaps at QB. Clark has completed 61.5% of his passes for 7 TDs and 1 INT. Devlin has completed 51% of his passes for 2 TDs and 0 INTs and the 3rd string QB Paul Cianciolo has gotten in the mix and tossed 1 TD pass in his five completions this season. Oh, and Penn State's offensive line just happens to be the best in the Big 10.

Edge: Penn State

Defense:
Illinois defense gave up 52 to Mizzou, 21 to Eastern Illinois and 17 to Louisiana-Lafayette. Penn State on the other hand has allowed 10 to Coastal Carolina, 14 to Oregon State, 13 to Syracuse and 3 to Temple. Penn State's d-line has provided constant pressure this season without getting very creative or blitzing very often. With Abe Koroma and Maurice Evans coming back, this could be a long day for Juice Williams and the Illini offensive line.

Edge: Penn State

Prediction:
It's a white-house, Penn State is rolling and Illinois isn't going to stop them. Williams will give the Penn State defense all they can handle... for about a quarter.

Penn State 38, Illinois 17