5 reasons why Penn State will beat Utah
Penn State hasn’t won the Rose Bowl since the 1994 season. To put that in perspective for you, I was just three months old at the time.
I grew up with Penn State winning the Orange Bowl with Michael Robinson as quarterback. I also remember them winning the Capital One Bowl or the Outback Bowl and never got to see a Rose Bowl win. I instead always remember Michigan and Ohio State playing in it.
For this generation of Penn State fans, this game is important. For this senior class, especially it means something different.
They endured the highs and lows of a regular college career but they have the added stress of COVID-19 and nearly losing James Franklin to USC. This game means a lot to a lot of people in this program and that motivation I think is an extra reason why they can win this game.
Penn State can control the time of possession
Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
The one-two punch of [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag] and [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag] can handle this stiff Utah defense. They have to be utilized early and often, one of them will separate themselves as they usually do with a heavier workload, but they need to keep using both. Control the time of possession, don’t get greedy with your offensive attack, and this game should be Penn State’s to lose.
We are missing our best wide receiver, they are missing their best cornerback
Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
[autotag]Parker Washington [/autotag]is on his way to the NFL and that means Penn State is without its best receiver for the biggest game of the year. The light at the end of the tunnel is Utah is also without their top cornerback Clark Phillips III who is also going to the NFL. Phillips III is a bigger loss for Utah than Washington is for Penn State in my opinion and that’s another win for the Nittany Lions.
This defense is designed to cause problems for this offense
Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Whether it be [autotag]Ji’Ayir Brown[/autotag] or [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag] making highlight reel pays, both are the main reason I see this Utah offense struggling. Carter is turning into a star as a freshman and Brown is on his way to making plays on Sundays instead of Saturdays. Don’t take this duo for granted on Monday as it will be the last time we are blessed with them on the same field in a Penn State uniform.
No distractions with staff leaving
Syndication: York Daily Record
Manny Diaz ended up not getting the FAU job, Mike Yurcich isn’t going anywhere, and of course, James Franklin is locked up. All of that means there is no distraction for the players or this staff of any changes looming over them. That distraction-free headspace can make the difference against a team like Utah which is coached just as well.
Sean Clifford wants to leave a legacy
Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
I have been overtly critical of Sean Clifford but even I can take down the objectivity goggles and realize he has a chance to be the best Penn State quarterback on paper in the school’s history. Did he win a national title? No. Would a Rose Bowl win be nice compensation? Absolutely. Add in a win on Monday to all his records he owns then we have an interesting conversation.
Want to play devil’s advocate? Here are the top five reasons why Utah will beat Penn State in the Rose Bowl.
