Kevin McGuire, national college football writer for Examiner. com and frequent contributor to NittanyWhiteOut.com, is back for another look at this weekend’s local college football action.
BCS or Alamo Bowl?
That is the question for Penn State this weekend. To wrap up the regular season the Nittany Lions will take on Michigan State for the Land Grant Trophy. A win could keep Penn State in the running for an at-large berth in the BCS games but a loss could drop Penn State to playing in a bowl game before 2009 is over. To say this is a pivotal game is an understatement.
Michigan State became bowl eligible last week and although the Nittany Lions have dominated the series since joining the Big Ten in 1993, they are just 2-3 in their last five trips to East Lansing. The offense will have to be ready at the opening kickoff, something they have not been in the past three games. The special teams also needs to avoid a meltdown, which has lead to their two losses this season.
The Spartans are tough at home and took an undefeated Iowa team to the wire earlier this season before giving up the game winning score on the final play of the game. As important as this game is for Penn State, there will likely be more emotional contests this weekend for the local squads.
TEMPLE
The quest for a bowl game looks to be in good shape for Temple, but the MAC East crown is not clinched yet. This week Temple, who controls their destiny in the division, takes on the somewhat unfamiliar role as double digit favorite when they take on Kent State at Lincoln Financial Field. A win would clinch at least a share of the MAC East crown, which could be clinched next week at Ohio.
For Temple to come away with the win they will need to contain the Kent State passing game, which is averaging almost 235 yards per game.Temple’s 98th ranked offense has played well in the conference but will look to finish strong in their final home game of the season.
VILLANOVA, PENN
Villanova fans will take a quick break from watching the basketball team down in Puerto Rico to watch the Wildcats take on their biggest rival, Delaware. The Blue Hens and Wildcats are a great regional rivalry and traditionally play in the final game of the season. This week Villanova looks to capture the CAA south championship, and the conference’s best record. Villanova offense has been explosive all season and look to wrap up their 2009 regular season with a win on senior day, where they are 4-0 this season (Villanova has played six road games, including the opener at the Linc against Temple).
The Quakers have already clinched at least a share of the Ivy League and by virtue of their win at Harvard last week technically have already won the conference’s title. To win it out right they will look to knock off a 2-7 Cornell team at Franklin Field. A win would make Penn 7-0 in the Ivy League. Harvard is 5-1 and playing Yale this weekend.
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