Tide Turners: Penn State Nittany Lions Take on Alabama, the National Champs

Stephfon Green is fast. Let me re-phrase that, the Penn State Junior running back is Ferrari Fast. Combine that with the dynamic running vision he possesses and he can make a defense pay in the blink of an eye. With rumors swirling around Happy Valley of a sub 4.3 40 yard time for Green, defensive coordinators know he exists. The college football world will start noticing that the mature and ultra poised young man from the Bronx, New York doesn’t only bring flat line speed but an uncanny sense for the big play. Catch him if you can but most defenses will witness the back of number 21’s jersey this college football season.

Earlier in the week leading up to the show down in Tuscaloosa, Alabama against the defending Nation champion Alabama Crimson Tide reports out of Penn State had Stephfon Green suffering from a neck injury. But according to Stephfon the reports were erroneous and he reveleaved instead that he had suffered a concussion and but was geared to play. It is clear that Green is eager to play Alabama and is relishing the underdog status his Nittany Lions have been relegated to.

Now enter Joe Paterno and the fact that if he beats Alabama and Nick Saban this will not only be Joe “Pa’s” 396th win as head coach but his 500th overall victory as a part of the organization. A considerable milestone to in trust in the hands of a true freshman quarterback, but Robert Bolden is just that. In Penn State’s week one 44 to 14 victory against Youngstown State Bolden looked to have the mettle to be the man. Can Bolden hold up in Tuscaloosa with 101,000 frenzied Crimson Tide fans calling for his head? Now that’s the question that will be answered Saturday September 11, 2010 beginning at 7 pm Eastern Time.

Penn State starting running back Evan Royster will also be vying for a milestone of his own, 3000 yards for his career at Penn State. Good guy Evan has been a steady work horse who has flashed game breaking runs in his own right. You can’t help but root for Royster, Joe Paterno and the entire Nittany Lion nation against the big bad Tide and the cunning Nick Saban.

The Tide has few woes themselves and some experts see them as vulnerable without the use of their most feared weapon, Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. Mark Ingram was the Tide’s leading rusher last year and Alabama’s safety blanket for that matter. Capable and talented back up Trent Richardson will carry the rock for the Tide in Ingram’s absence. With Ingram on the sidelines recuperating from a knee scope Trent needs to gain yards and control the ball. It wouldn’t hurt the Alabama’s cause if star stud wide receiver Julio Jones made a few big plays. A young secondary and line backing core on the defensive side of the ball can spell disaster for the Tide in this game. My advice no arm tackling boys! I smell an upset and I think Evan Royster displays his inside ruining prowess and Stephfon Green shows the SEC some real speed.

My prediction: 28-25 Penn State being the victor. Will Stephfon score three touchdowns and scorch the Tide in Tuscaloosa? Somebody get a close up of coach Saban’s jaw dropping. It doesn’t hurt that Stephfon is the pride and joy of my Kennedy Knights…yes admittedly I am a homer on this one. Honestly what’s not to love about a Bronx kid who runs a 4.3 and plays for Joe “Pa’s” Nittany Lions?