As you read this, I am sitting in sunny southern California for the Rose Bowl clash between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Trojans of USC.
It should be an interesting game, for sure, and in today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll preview the game one more time and have our final prediction of the year. With the New Year on the horizon, we’ll have three predictions for 2009.
Next week, we’ll have complete coverage of the Granddaddy of them All.
Let’s start with the Rose Bowl.
Joe Paterno is looking for his 24th bowl victory.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Do the Lions Win?
There has been a lot of talk about this game, and deservedly so. In an alternate universe, these two teams would be playing for the BCS national championship. But on this day, they are simply playing for pride.
Look, the Big Ten hasn’t been getting a lot of respect this bowl season, and Wisconsin’s blowout loss to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl didn’t help matters.
Make no mistake about it — this game will be a defensive battle. If the Lion defense can contain USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, they have an excellent shot at winning this game.
Look for Aaron Maybin to have a big day coming off the edge. USC (11-1) is concerned about Maybin, and rightfully so.
Sanchez addressed Maybin’s speed when the Trojans’ offensive unit met with the media on Sunday.
“The guy is sprinting all over the field,” Sanchez said. “I haven’t seen him walk once. I haven’t seen him bend over and put the hands on his hips, a sign that you’re tired. He’s a phenomenal athlete. He’s going to be fun to play against.”
I don’t know if fun is the word, but we’ll see.
The Lions (11-1) are 10-point underdogs, and that’s way too many points. Expect a close game — and the upset of the bowl season.
Gantdaily.com prediction: Penn State 16, USC 13.
Predictions for ’09
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Of course, we mean the holiday season. Is there anything more enjoyable than spending time with your family or seeing the joy as a youngster unwraps that much-anticipated holiday gift?
As we ready for the coming year, it’s time again to peer into the crystal ball and forecast what’s on the horizon for Penn State athletics.
1. Tourney Time — The Penn State men’s basketball team will make a postseason tournament, and the guess here is NIT. By making it through non-conference play with just a pair of losses, Ed DeChellis’ squad has set itself up nicely for a postseason bid.
Losses to Rhode Island and Temple notwithstanding, the Nittany Lions have played well enough to be considered for the postseason.
With close to a dozen wins under their belt, the Lions simply have to play .500 basketball in the conference to earn some sort of postseason berth.
The loss to Geary Claxton to graduation has put more on the shoulders of Jamelle Cornley and Talor Battle, but they appear to be more than capable of handling the load.
As for the Penn State women’s program, it’s probably a season (or two) away from getting back to the postseason.
Stay tuned.
2. Daryll Clark contends for, but does not win, the Heisman Trophy — Sure, he will be playing without Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood or Derrick Williams, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Clark will be the face of the offense in 2009 and we like his ability to lead. He has capable wideouts in Brett Brackett, Chaz Powell and Graham Zug. His passing numbers should be solid, but his running numbers will rise dramatically.
Since he won’t have Pat Devlin backing him up, Clark will be the show. Expect a monster year out of the senior QB.
He won’t win the thing, but he will indeed be in the running for football’s biggest individual prize.
Write it down — Aaron Maybin is headed to the NFL.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
3. Farewell, Maybin — With some mock drafts projecting him as a first-round selection, Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin will announce that he is leaving the Nittany Lions with a year of eligibility remaining to enter the NFL draft.
Some mock drafts have Maybin as high as a first-rounder. Other drafts have him as low as the fourth round. The guess here is that he will go somewhere in the first couple of rounds, earning him an amazing signing bonus and plenty of the NFL riches.
With a little bit of weight added to his frame, Maybin should be a stud at the NFL level.
It’s too much of a temptation to pass up, and you can’t blame the guy.
Chris Morelli is the award-winning editor of Blue White Illustrated, a weekly publication devoted to Penn State athletics. He is also a regular on “Front and Center,” which airs on ESPN Radio in Altoona and State College. E-mail him at morellionlion@gmail.com.