Week 4 Prediction

Happy Friday everyone!  Tomorrow is GAMEDAY!  This week the Nittany Lions host the Kent State Golden Flashes (yes, that's seriously their mascot... apparently it's a bird or something).  Not much in the way of storylines in this one, so let's just get right to the break down.

The Good
Kent State comes to Beaver Stadium by way of the MAC, the same conference as Week 2 pinata Eastern Michigan.  Overall, the Big Ten has an 85% winning percentage against MAC opponents.  Now, to be fair, last year Kent State went 11-1 in the regular season and were looking at a possible BCS berth before losing in 2OT to Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship game.  But, the good news for Penn State is that head coach Darrell Hazell left to become the head man at Purdue and the Golden Flashes' best offense weapon, RB Dri Archer, appears to be out for this week's game due to injury.  Paul Haynes, a Kent State grad, takes over head coaching duties and looks to rebound after 2 straight losses (their only win so far was over Liberty, an FCS school).

The Bad
Haynes will look to capitalize on a leaky Penn State defense that allowed 507 yds of total offense last week.  Additionally, Big Ten teams have a tendency to overlook their mid-western little brothers from time to time.  Akron gave Michigan a scare just this last week.  However, that was a post-win let down.  Penn State is facing a post-loss rebound.  We should be safe.

The Story
Um, yeah, we're going to win, and it might get ugly.  Now, I know I predicted in week 2 that the back ups would see ample playing time.  That didn't happen.  I guess I forgot that an 18 yr old true freshman QB might need a few games to get into a rhythm.  Well, Christian Hackenberg found his rhythm, so expect some fireworks against an overmatched opponent.  I'm once again predicting (with a little more certainty this time) that Tyler Ferguson and the #2s will get to see the field plenty.

The Prediction
*note* All of the following predictions assume that the second team doesn't come in too early and ruin the starters' stats.

Hackenberg throws for 300+ yds and 2 TDs, at least 1 of which goes to Allen Robinson who cruises easily to 100+ yds... again.  Zwinak gets 2TDs and 100+ yds, Belton also gets a TD and goes for 50+ yds.  Deion Barnes finally shows his pretty face to the QB recording his first sack of the season and the secondary that was picked apart last week does some picking of their own grabbing 2 interceptions.

Penn State 38, Kent State 13