Kickoff is at Noon on ABC. The Nitts are favored by 24 points.I think Penn State can probably handle Illinois with Roberson, Veilleux, or frankly one of us from this board at QB but I certainly hope that Clifford gets back soon because PSU is a much better team with him under center.
Coach Franklin says backup QBs Roberson and Veilleux are sharing snaps in practice this week. It sounds like Clifford will sit this game out. They're gonna need him on the 30th.
https://theathletic.com/news/sean-clifford-status-unclear-as-penn-state-splits-qb-reps-for-roberson-veilleux/Mfrc06I8b5Pr/ (https://theathletic.com/news/sean-clifford-status-unclear-as-penn-state-splits-qb-reps-for-roberson-veilleux/Mfrc06I8b5Pr/)
| Illinois Fighting Illini (1-3, 2-5) at #7 Penn State Nittany Lions (2-1, 5-1) |
| NOON - State College, PA - ABC |
| While the wins haven't exactly been there, this Illinois team looks exactly like you would expect a Bret Bielema team to loom. It involves him embarrassing himself, while his team runs the ball pretty well, and plays good defense. Since the blowout loss to Virginia, the Illini have played very good defense, allowing under 18 ppg. The problem is they've lost 3 of those games, the one win coming over Charlotte, because they have averaged just 12.5 ppg. The run game isn't the problem, with Illinois ranking 7th in the conference, both in terms of yards per game and yards per carry. They simply cannot pass the ball. Bielema's commitment to Brandon Peters, a program guy he didn't recruit, should show you just how bad the situation must be behind him. Granted, Penn State's quarterback situation isn't much better with Sean Clifford still out. The Nittany Lions blew a 17-3 lead against Iowa, once Clifford went out, the last time we saw them. It does not seem like he will be playing thise week, as he has not been practicing with the 1s. It's unclear how much of that is opponent driven, but it's also clear the other guys need those reps. Ty'Quan Roberson, with a game plan designed for him, might look a lot different than the guy we saw in Iowa City, but it's also clear that there is no game plan to use him with the way this offense is built. The Nittany Lions have tons of talent on the outside, but they are in the bottom five of the conference, both in per game and per carry, in running. So it's hard to simply pivot to a run focused quarterback. Will Levis would look really good in Happy Valley right now. But against the Nittany Lions' outstanding defense, I don't think Illinois' offense, with zero passing game will get anything going. |
| PENN STATE 28, ILLINOIS 3 |
I think Penn State can probably handle Illinois with Roberson, Veilleux, or frankly one of us from this board at QB but I certainly hope that Clifford gets back soon because PSU is a much better team with him under center.The rumors I've seen, second hand, are that he is basically fine, but they don't want to risk him before the Ohio State game. Supposedly, he will be available to come in against Illinois if the situation is desperate. They may let him play the first series, just to have him on record as starting.
Do we have so much as an inkling as to how severe Clifford's status is? From a significant distance this seems like one of two things, either:
- Clifford is basically fine but they are giving him an extra week because they want to make SURE that he is 100% for the big showdown with the Buckeyes next week and they figure getting the backups some live reps is a good thing and they can beat Illinois without Clifford anyway, or
- Clifford is basically done for the year (or at least for several more weeks) but Franklin/PSU are being cagey about it so as not to allow opposing defenses to focus on anything specific. Ie, if Clifford's status is unknown and the Nitts play BOTH Roberson and Veilleux this weekend then the Buckeyes will have to prepare for all three potential QB's.
The rumors I've seen, second hand, are that he is basically fine, but they don't want to risk him before the Ohio State game. Supposedly, he will be available to come in against Illinois if the situation is desperate. They may let him play the first series, just to have him on record as starting.Glad to hear it and thank you for the update.
The rumors I've seen, second hand, are that he is basically fine, but they don't want to risk him before the Ohio State game. Supposedly, he will be available to come in against Illinois if the situation is desperate. They may let him play the first series, just to have him on record as starting.Hell, I think after the collapse in Iowa City, simply getting those guys a week of first team reps could pay off big time down the road. Even if Clifford was fine.
Clifford did not look normal. And the Nitts run defense was not too good.this is an understatement. the Nitts run defense gave up 300 more yards rushing to Illinois than the Nitts rush offense gained vs Illinois. Let that one sink in for a minute.