Alabama Vs. Penn State: Keeping An Eye On The Kitties

With the standard caveat mentioning the inherent unpredictability of opponent gameplans, all signs -- true freshman quarterback, first road start, established senior tailback, no Cody or McClain, Jerrell Harris playing inside, etc. -- point to Penn State trying to establish the run early and often against Alabama. If so, Alabama will have to answer the bell immediately and force true freshman quarterback Robert Bolden to lead his team to victory, and if the Tide can do that then suddenly the Penn State coaching staff must alter their method of attack. I think it's clear that the ideal strategy for Penn State is to shorten the game and try to win in a low-scoring contest, but if Alabama can shut down Evan Royster and the Nittany Lion running game, that strategy largely goes out the window. If Penn State struggles to run the football, especially in the early stages of the game, the odds are much improved that Alabama emerges victorious.