Are Style Points Necessary When Penn State Battles Kent State?

This may be more of a continuation of the recap of Penn State’s win over Bowling Green than it is a preview of Penn State’s game with Kent State. 

But in light of Notre Dame’s loss to Northern Illinois, does it matter how Penn State wins against the Golden Flashes this weekend? 

Or does it matter that they just win? 

Now, let’s back up here for a second, Penn State is heavily favored and then some to beat Kent State Saturday afternoon on BTN. The blog and the podcast typically does not make score predictions and we will continue that trend this weekend. Though, I’m confident saying that barring an absolute utter collapse of historic proportions, Penn State will win on Saturday. 

But will it win confidently?

It’s unlikely the Nittany Lions will approach the astronomical total they put up back on Oct. 23, 1920, dropping 109 points against Lebanon Valley. If you are one to follow the betting totals and other projections, though, Penn State might get to the same stratosphere of its 81-0 win over Cincinnati back in 1991 – considered the modern record. 

Penn State’s Most Points In A Game

Those records have seemingly been the topic du semaine ever since Kent State gave up 456 rushing yards and 71 points to Tennessee last week. Of course, that performance followed the Flashes’ stunning loss – if you’re into Kent State football – to St. Francis (PA), an FCS team the week before. 

Meanwhile on the same day the Red Flash beat the Golden Flashes, Penn State somewhat struggled with Bowling Green – somewhat stunningly too. 

Penn State’s defense was either sleep walking or trying too hard in the first half before settling down in the second to help seal the victory. And fortunately, for Penn State fans, the offense was humming at a new level that under the last three offensive coordinators those fans rarely saw. 

Then, roughly three or so hours after Penn State sealed the game with a late touchdown by Nicholas Singleton for 40-plus yards and a few states away, Notre Dame was floundering with someone it was supposed to beat – and beat convincingly. 

That loss for the Irish – or rather win by the Huskies – erased most memories that Penn State and college football fans had of the 34-27 stressful afternoon. It was a loss in South Bend that put a win in Happy Valley into perspective.

Considering that James Franklin coached teams have won 26 straight games when he’s favored by a touchdown or more, it’s probably an underappreciated facet to Franklin’s résumé that Penn State doesn’t lose when it’s not supposed to. 

And yes, put down your pitchforks. I know that he’s lost the games you (and me) really want him to win. Insert whatever the record is now against Ohio State and Michigan under Franklin – and any of your other gripes too. 

But Penn State wins when it’s supposed to and I think that proves the points we’re searching for here. 

By the end of this season, you will not remember how close the Bowling Green game was. You will not remember that Penn State beat Kent State by whatever the margin will be. History has long forgotten the time Penn State put up 16 touchdowns against “Lebanon Valley eleven” as the then Penn State Collegian reported back in 1920. 

Instead, you’ll remember the season for its totality – and probably a loss or two that comes along the way. 

You will, though, feel better if Penn State approaches that 81-point mark or even 79-point mark, the record in the Franklin era, Saturday afternoon. You will probably feel better about the rest of the season, too, if Penn State can put together a shutout on defense like it has done 299 times in the past. 

It’s within that comfort that you’ll feel a bit better about how things went against Bowling Green if you’re still hanging on to those feelings – and find some excitement as Penn State progresses out of its non-conference slate. How Penn State wins this weekend is short term joy and that Penn State wins this weekend is long term satisfaction.

It matters much more that Penn State wins than necessarily how it wins, particularly in $1.6 million buy games like the one you’ll see Saturday afternoon. And assuming Penn State does win, you won’t have to worry about the opposite outcome like those in South Bend do for the rest of the year. 

At this point of the year, taking care of business to make sure the rest of the season is what matters more. 

Matchup

vs.

Kent State (0-3) vs. Penn State (2-0)
Time: 3:30 p.m.
TV: BTN
Announcers: Jeff Levering, Jake Butt, Brooke Fletcher
Radio: Penn State Sports Network
Announcers: Steve Jones, Jack Ham, Brian Tripp

PSU Depth Chart | PSU Roster

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