Fiesta Bowl Analysis
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| Artwork via Leif Lindquist |
Where
University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, AZ
When
Saturday, December 30th
How to Watch on TV
Time: 1:00 PM (PST)
Broadcaster: ESPN
Breakdown of The Two Teams
Expect this game to be a battle of offenses, as four of the nations top players face off in one game. Both teams are able to do damage through the air and on the ground. Look for both running backs to show the country that they can compete, and for both quarterbacks to show off their arms.
Penn State’s running back, Saquon Barkley averaged 94.5 yards a game during the regular season and has had four games with 100+ yards, and two with 170+ yards. He was predicted by many at the beginning of the season to be among the Heisman front runners. He is known to be an explosive back and finds holes in the line extremely well. Barkley can also play receiver just as well as the receivers on his team. Penn State uses their four top wide receivers equally, including Barkley (all have around fifty receptions). They all average twelve plus yards per reception, except Mike Gesicki, who averages 9.8 yards per reception. Washington’s running back, Myles Gaskin, will focus mainly on running the ball, will look to top Barkley’s performance running the ball. Gaskin has played well all year and averaged 107 yards a game during the regular season. Gaskin had six games with 100+ yards, and had three game with 170+ yards (one of those three games, he had 169 yards). He is looking to impress the whole country and show the NFL what he is all about against some great competition.
While on the ground, Gaskin may get more yards, but Barkley’s receiving is what makes him so versatile. While through the air, Penn State’s Trace McSorley has many more options to throw to than Washington’s Jake Browning. Trace McSorley has four options to throw to: DaeSean Hamilton (48 REC, 15.6 YDS AVG), Juwan Johnson (48 REC, 13.2 YDS AVG), Saquon Barkley (47 REC, 12.6 YDS AVG), and Mike Gesicki (51 REC, 9.8 YDS AVG). The only person Jake Browning really throws to is star wide receiver and punt returner Dante Pettis. Pettis has 60 receptions on the season, while all the other receivers and running backs have less than 23 receptions on the season. Pettis averaged 60 receiving yards a game this regular season, and had one game with 100+ receiving yards, and five with 80+ receiving yards. Not only is he known for his receiving skills, but in early November against Oregon, he tied the NCAA record for career punt returns with his ninth return during that game.
Penn State has a way stronger strength of schedule, especially because Washington did not play USC this season. Washington’s two losses came from an upset at Arizona State and the other came from Stanford (2nd in PAC 12) outplaying them in Stanford. Washington’s biggest win was a blowout over at the time no. 13 Washington State in the Apple Cup. The rest of their wins weren’t too mind boggling at all. Penn State’s two losses came from a fourth quarter comeback by Ohio State, and an upset by at the time no. 24 Michigan State. Both of those losses were within three points. You could very easily look at Penn State as a one loss team because the loss to at the time no. 6 Ohio State (currently no. 5) was only by one point, and against a very good team. Penn State just couldn’t hold back the Buckeyes’ surging comeback in the fourth.
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Final Prediction
The 2017 Fiesta Bowl will be a thriller. It will be a close and competitive game all the way through the third quarter, with Barkley and Gaskin running the ball phenomenally and McSorley and Browning throwing with laser sharp accuracy. However, Penn State will lock down Dante Pettis, and fatigue will kick into Pettis in the fourth quarter while Penn State has so many receivers to throw to. If Washington wants to win this game, their defense will need to get stops and their special teams will have to make plays, including star punt returner Dante Pettis. Washington’s defense allows around twenty yards less than Penn State in both rush yards and passing yards, but Penn State just has too many offensive threats and it will be too much too handle for Washington’s defense. So if Washington’s defense doesn’t step up and if Washington’s special teams doesn’t make plays, Penn State will walk out of the Fiesta Bowl with a ten point victory.
By Leif Lindquist
Sources: ESPN.com
The 2017 Fiesta Bowl will be a thriller. It will be a close and competitive game all the way through the third quarter, with Barkley and Gaskin running the ball phenomenally and McSorley and Browning throwing with laser sharp accuracy. However, Penn State will lock down Dante Pettis, and fatigue will kick into Pettis in the fourth quarter while Penn State has so many receivers to throw to. If Washington wants to win this game, their defense will need to get stops and their special teams will have to make plays, including star punt returner Dante Pettis. Washington’s defense allows around twenty yards less than Penn State in both rush yards and passing yards, but Penn State just has too many offensive threats and it will be too much too handle for Washington’s defense. So if Washington’s defense doesn’t step up and if Washington’s special teams doesn’t make plays, Penn State will walk out of the Fiesta Bowl with a ten point victory.
By Leif Lindquist
Sources: ESPN.com
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