After easy opening matchups, the Penn State Nittany Lions and Alabama Crimson Tide will clash in week two in a key top 25 battle. Alabama was firing on all cylinders against San Jose State, even without Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, and rolled 48-3.
The Nittany Lions also won easily in their first game, but showed they have some definite room for improvement. Alabama is a 12-point NCAA football odds favorite in this game.
For the first time in head coach Joe Paterno’s historic career, a true freshman quarterback started the season. Robert Bolden played well in his debut, throwing for 239 yards and two scores, but he will have a much harder time against the Tide’s defense.
Alabama’s offense tallied almost 600 yards on offense last week, led by quarterback Greg McElroy’s 218 yards. He completed 87% of his passes and was nearly flawless. Running back Trent Richardson proved he is suitable replacement for Ingram, rushing for 66 yards on 10 carries.
Penn State’s defense was also gutted from last season, and they start three new linebackers. With the weakened front seven, the Alabama Crimson Tide should have no trouble running all day, with or without Ingram.
This matchup looks like it should be all Alabama. They will be able to run the ball efficiently, which should set up play action passing for McElroy. Tide coach Nick Saban will surely have some new defensive schemes that will confuse Penn State’s young quarterback and the Tide should roll in this one.
