Capital One Bowl Game Of The Week: #14 Penn State at #1 Alabama

The Capital One Bowl Game Of The Week is a preview of a pivotal matchup featuring teams from the Big Ten and/or SEC that could impact the bowl picture.

Week Two: 
#14 Penn State (1-0) at #1 Alabama (1-0)

Saturday, Sept. 11 –- 7:00 p.m.
Bryand-Denny Stadium -- Tuscaloosa, Ala. (ESPN)
Alabama leads series 8-5
Last Meeting: Oct. 27, 1990 (Penn State 9, Alabama 0)

Penn State Outlook

Quarterback Robert Bolden is the first true freshman to start a season at quarterback during Joe Paterno’s legendary coaching tenure. Despite throwing one interception in week one, the youngster tallied 239 total yards while adding two touchdowns against Youngstown State.  Many predicted that the Nittany Lions would rely heavily on running back Evan Royster due to the young quarterback, but Royster only ran for 40 yards on 11 carries and posted no touchdowns. 
 
Penn State returned 13 starters from the 2009 season but just five are on the defensive side of the ball. After a slow start, Penn State’s after the offense went on a scoring tear in the second quarter, putting the Nittany Lions up, 16-7, the defense managed to shutout the Penguins until they scored with 40 seconds left in the game.

Alabama Outlook

The big question for the Crimson Tide is whether or not 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram will make his season debut after having knee surgery the week before the home opener. Ingram, who rushed for 1,658 yards and added 17 touchdowns last year, was obviously one of the team’s keys to success. 

Despite the adversity, the Tide are still considered the favorite to defend their national title this season. In the season opener against San Jose State, redshirt freshman Eddie Lacy filled in for Ingram and totaled 111 yards while running in two touchdowns. The defense held San Jose State to just 175 yards and 1-for-13 on third downs.

Impact on Bowl Picture

Both Alabama and Penn State face a schedule that ranks in the top 20 of toughest schedules in college football. Not only is Penn State the first team to play three BCS bowl champions – Alabama, Iowa and Ohio State – they play them all on the road.  Alabama plays the 2009 SEC Championship re-match against Florida at home but will travel to #19 Arkansas and #16 LSU.  If either team is to lose one game, they are still in contention for finishing first among their respective conferences and/or receive a BCS birth weighed heavily on the strength of their schedules.

Extra Point

Alabama is one of only six of 83 opponents Penn State has faced during Joe Paterno’s 34 year-tenure that has a winning record against the Nittany Lions. The other five are Clemson (1-0), Florida (1-0), Michigan (10-5), Nebraska (4-3), Ohio State (13-8) and Wisconsin (7-6).