Lionsfan Looks at Week 6

Red Rivalry Part 2

We wish there was time to enjoy two great Penn State wins last week—an impressive 3-0 sweep at Wisconsin and a gritty, sometimes-not-so-pretty 3-1 win at Minnesota (two very tough places to play)—and to enjoy Micha Hancock’s AVCA National Player of the Week accolade. But there’s no time to rest as Penn State continues its brutal road trip with a match at #8 Nebraska on Friday (watch live on BTN). Husker MB Melanie Keil, for one, is ready: “We’re pumped up (about playing Penn State) because we know we can beat this team,” she said in Randy York’s N-Sider, the official blog of the Huskers.  “We’re excited, especially after Texas.  We’re playing at a consistent level and think we’re capable of (winning) another set.”

Until last year’s sole meeting, Penn State had not won in the state of Nebraska since the Huskers joined the B1G in 2011 — and didn’t have many victories in Nebraska against the Huskers since the two programs first met in the state in 1982 (the Lions won in 1994, 1999 and 2008). The Lions are 9-13 all-time against Nebraska, which makes the Huskers one of only two programs with winning records against Penn State (UCLA being the other, with 8 wins in 13 contests). The teams have played three times on neutral ground and three times in State College (just once before Nebraska joined the B1G), with 16 contests being played in Lincoln or Omaha.

Perhaps the most impressive stat about this rivalry? In their 18 contests since 1990, the two teams have both been ranked in the Top 10 for all but one of them (in 1993, Penn State was ranked #11 at the time of the meeting, and would end the season as the NCAA runner-up).

Here is a refreshed rundown of the rivalry between these two powerhouses:

2014

• Lincoln, Neb.; Oct. 3: No. 3 Penn State @ No. 8 Nebraska 

2013

• Lincoln, Neb.; Nov. 30: No. 2 Penn State def. No. 10 Nebraska 22-25, 25-23, 26-24, 26-24

2012

• University Park, PA; Sept. 19: No. 4 Penn State def. No. 3 Nebraska 23-25, 28-26, 25-17, 26-24
• Lincoln, Neb.; Oct. 28: No. 4 Nebraska def. No. 1 Penn State 12-25, 32-30. 19-25, 25-23, 15-10

2011

• Lincoln, Neb.; Sept. 21: No. 10 Nebraska (Big Ten) def. No. 5 Penn State 25-18, 25-16, 23-25, 19-25, 15-10
• University Park, PA; Oct. 29 No. 8 Penn State def. No. 1 Nebraska 25-17, 25-15, 17-25, 25-17

2008

• NCAA Final Four Semifinals, Omaha, Neb.; Dec. 18: No. 1 Penn State def. No. 4 Nebraska 25-17, 25-18, 15-25, 22-25, 15-11

2007

• Holiday Inn Downtown Classic, Lincoln/Omaha, Neb.; Sept. 2: No. 1 Nebraska def. No. 3 Penn State 30-20, 30-21, 30-27

2005

• Info USA/Arby’s Players Challenge, Lincoln/Omaha, Neb., Sept. 11: No. 1 Nebraska def. No. 4 Penn State 30-14, 30-27, 30-23 (Note: Penn State played at the season-opening State Farm/NACWAA College Volleyball Showcase that year, also in Lincoln; they lost to Stanford 3-2 in the first match; a win would have put them against Nebraska) 

1999

• NACWAA Classic, Lincoln, Neb.; Aug. 28: No. 1 Penn State def. No. 3 Nebraska 11-15, 15-12, 15-8, 16-14

1998

• NCAA Final Four Semifinals, Madison, Wisc.; Dec. 19: No. 2 Penn State def. No. 3 Nebraska 15-11, 15-8, 8-15, 15-11

1997

• Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge, Madison, Wisc.; Sept. 19 No. 1 Penn State def. No. 5 Nebraska 16-14, 15-12, 16-14

1996

• NCAA East Regional Final, Lincoln, Neb.; Dec. 14: No. 4 Nebraska (Big 12) def. No. 3 Penn State 15-12, 8-15, 15-13, 9-15, 20-18

1995

• NACWAA/State Farm Classic, Lincoln, Neb.; Aug. 28: No. 2 Nebraska def. No. 7 Penn State 15-4, 15-3, 15-6 NCAA Central Region Semifinal, Lincoln, Neb.; Dec. 8 No. 1 Nebraska def. No. 9 Penn State 15-7, 15-6, 14-16, 15-2

1994

• NCAA Mideast Regional Final, Lincoln, Neb.; Dec. 10: No. 5 Penn State def. No. 1 Nebraska 12-15, 15-11, 15-9, 15-8

1993

Penn State Classic, University Park, PA; Sept. 4: No. 7 Nebraska def. No. 11 Penn State (Big Ten) 15-11, 9-15, 15-4, 15-17, 15-10

1990

• NCAA Mideast Regional Final, Lincoln, Neb.; Dec. 8: No. 2 Nebraska def. No. 6 Penn State 15-12, 16-14, 10-15, 15-5

1987

• Husker Invitational, Lincoln, Neb.; Sept. 12: No. 7 Nebraska def. No. 19 Penn State 15-12, 15-12, 15-17, 15-7

1986

• NCAA Mideast Regional Semifinal, Lincoln, Neb.; Dec. 12: No. 7 Nebraska def. No. 14 Penn State 7-15, 15-4, 16-14, 16-18, 15-9

1985

• NCAA First Round, Lincoln, Neb.; Dec. 7: No. 4 Nebraska def. No. 20 Penn State 15-8, 15-7, 15-12

1982

• NCAA First Round, Lincoln, Neb.; Dec. 4: No. 15 Nebraska def. Penn State 15-13, 15-5, 15-13 (only 20 teams ranked; PSU was ranked early in season)

1981

• (AIAW) SW Missouri State Invitational, Springfield, MO; Oct. 2: Penn State (A10) def. Nebraska (Big Eight) 15-2, 15-8

 Business

Who are the toughest B1G traveling partners to prepare for? Lionsfan thinks the Wisconsin/Minnesota tandem is the most difficult back-to-back battles a conference team will face this year, but don’t count out Illinois and Northwestern (that’s right, the Wildcats are 12-1 and itching to play spoiler this year). What a treat that those duos will face off in the state of Illinois this weekend, as the conference race could get some clarity…or some confusion. Since falling in five to Virginia Tech, Illinois has won six straight. The Fighting Illini lost to Minnesota and beat Wisconsin last year, playing each school only once (they only get the Gophers once this year also, again in Huff Hall…not sure how that happens two years in a row, you bad conference schedulers you!). Catch the Gophers @ Illini on BTN Wednesday night, with online (subscription) coverage of the other matches. 

Cats Crawl Up

With a thrilling 3-2 win over in-state rival Arizona State and a convincing sweep of UCLA, Arizona improved to 13-1 (it’s only loss to Texas) and rose to #14 in the rankings. It is the highest program ranking since the final poll of the 2005 season, when the Wildcats finished #7 (shame on the Arizona SID for not having an article on this on Monday, forcing lionsfan to do the research himself!). Senior Madi Kingdon trails only UCLA’s Karsta Lowe in kills (5.48) and points (6.10) per set in the Pac-12. With wins over Utah and Colorado this weekend, the Wildcats could inch closer to the Top 10. 

Undefeated No More!

Well, not quite yet…but when Oregon (12-0) visits Stanford (12-0) on Friday, something’s gotta give. And thankfully, we can all watch it unfold on ESPNU. Lionsfan is a little surprised Oregon still isn’t in the Top 10 (a wise man named Russ Rose has them at #7, while a Wise woman—Mary—has them at #9. John Dunning? No respect for the Ducks!). 

Pac Showdown, The Sequel

The Ducks’ rivals to the north are also enjoying an undefeated season, but the Huskies—who survived a five-set scare at Cal last weekend—get a tough test this week when Southern Cal and UCLA visit on Wednesday and Friday, respectively. Both teams are coming off losses—the Bruins were swept by Arizona, while the Trojans were swept by UCLA also lost in four to Arizona State. The Cali schools are hungry for an upset, and for the Trojans it could be the turning point in their season—they have lost five of their last six matches. The Huskies were 4-0 against the schools last year. 

Roll Tide!

They aren’t ranked yet, but the Crimson Tide (who have a chance to break through with an upset at Kentucky this week) still made some history in this week’s poll. From the ‘Bama SID:

“A 14-2 start to the season and a perfect 2-0 record in SEC play for Alabama has grabbed the attention of the nation’s coaches, as the Crimson Tide are receiving votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll for the first time in school history. 

Alabama is receiving 11 votes in the latest poll, just five spots outside the Top 25. Alabama is one of four SEC teams to appear in the poll, trailing only No. 9 Florida (8-3, 2-0 SEC), No. 13 Kentucky (12-2, 2-0 SEC) and No. 21 Texas A&M (9-3, 1-0 SEC). 

As a team, Alabama is second in the SEC and 14th nationally with a .875 winning percentage. The Tide’s play at the service line is also among the nation’s best, as Alabama leads the SEC and ranks seventh nationally in service aces (108) and 10th in aces per set (1.80).”

DigNittanyVolleyball's North Pole Poll (It's Cold at the Top) 9-29-14 (Coaches' Votes per 9-29-14 AVCA Poll ) Click on Images for More Information

Rank	North Pole Poll	W	L	John Dunning's Top 10	Lionsfan's Top 10	Russ Rose's Top 10	Mary Wise's Top 10
#1 (#1= 10 pts)	(40 pts)	12	0
#2 (#2= 9 pts)	Penn State (34 pts)	14	1	Penn State	Penn State		Penn State
#3 (#3= 8 pts)	(31 pts)	13	0
#4 (#4= 7 pts)	(30 pts)	9	0		Florida State	Penn State
#5 (#5= 6 pts)	Florida State (23 pts)	13	0	Wisc.		Florida State	Wisc.
#6 (#6= 5 pts)	Wisc. (22 pts)	10	2	Florida State	Wisc.	Wisc.	Florida State
#7 (#7= 4 pts)	Colorado State (14 pts.)	14	1	Colorado State	Colorado State		Colorado State
#8 (#8= 3 pts)	(9 pts.)	12	0
#9 (#9= 2 pts)	(6 pts.)	8	3			Colorado State
#10 (tie) (#10= 1 pt.)	(4 pts.)	8	3
#10 (tie) (#10= 1 pt.)	(4 pts.)	11	2

Lionsfan’s 11 through 25 Teams:

11. Florida, 12. Nebraska, 13. UCLA, 14. Texas A&M, 15. BYU, 16. Minnesota, 17. Kentucky, 18. Illinois, 19. Arizona State, 20. Purdue, 21. Southern Cal, 22. LMU, 23. Hawaii, 24. Marquette, 25. Pacific (In: Pacific; Out: Kansas; Knocking on the door: Northwestern, Oregon State, Creighton)

This week’s AVCA Top Ten Action

1. Stanford vs. #11 Oregon, Oregon State
2. Texas vs. Iowa State, @ Kansas
3. Penn State @ #8 Nebraska, @ Iowa
4. Washington vs. #19 Southern Cal, vs. #20 UCLA
5. Florida State @ Georgia Tech, @ Miami
6. Wisconsin @ Northwestern, @ #16 Illinois
7. Colorado State vs. UNLV, vs. San Diego State
8. Nebraska vs. #3 Penn State, Ohio State
9. Florida @ LSU, @ Mississippi State
10. BYU @ Pepperdine, vs. San Francisco, vs. Santa Clara 

Other key clashes this week

• #13 Kentucky vs. #21 Texas A&M (on SEC Network),
• #16 Illinois vs. #18 Minnesota (on BTN),
• #22 Loyola Marymount vs. #23 San Diego,
• Marquette vs. Creighton

Upset Alerts

• Cal over #11 Oregon,
• Alabama over #13 Kentucky,
• Northwestern over #18 Minnesota,
• Washington State over #19 Southern Cal

Lionsfan’s completely uninformed picks for the big matches

• Stanford over Oregon,
• Nebraska over Penn State,
• Washington over Southern Cal,
• Washington over UCLA,
• Illinois over Wisconsin,
• Kentucky over Texas A&M,
• Illinois over Minnesota,
• Loyola Marymount over San Diego,
• Creighton over Marquette

Lionsfan’s Season-to-Date “Big Match” Prediction Record: 31-15

Hottest Teams: Arizona

Losing Steam: Southern Cal