Blue & White Roundtable: The Final Countdown

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1. So, are you freaking out this week? Did you honestly think Penn State would be in this position, going into the last week of the season? How about Michigan State?

Let's start with Michigan State. Let's hope in the DeLorean for a moment and take a look at our preseason preview of MSU. In probably our only decent call of the season, we picked them to go 9-3. Their current record? 9-2. Hopefully after Saturday, we'll be dead on (although we did pick them to beat Cal/lose to Wisconsin, but cut us some slack). And check out this foreshadowing:

Unlike their counterparts in Ann Arbor, the Spartans should strike some fear into the hearts of Nittany Lion fans this year. We play them in the last game of the regular season, and the winner of that match up could be in line for a great conference finish and a big-time bowl game.

So to make a short answer really long, yeah, we expected them to be here.

As for PSU, before the season we figured (like most others) that Ohio State would be the team to beat and that the Lions would probably finish second in the conference and get a New Year's Day bowl. But a few games into the season you could almost see the power shift from Ohio to PA as the Bucks stumbled out of the gate. It was great to watch. So we got that prediction wrong, but we figured at the start that this weekend's game would be big.

And speaking of that game, we're not really freaking out too much. If the team was still undefeated, we probably wouldn't even be sleeping this week. But things being as they are, we're not too nervous. If the team plays up to their potential this weekend, they ought to win. Of course we've said that before this year so we'll see how it goes.

2. What would you like to see more of/less of this week?

Run the ball. You know, there was all the talk about the HD offense but we've all realized what a great thing we have in Royster. He has been consistent all year and there have been a few games where he probably should have been give the rock a few more times.

The HD thing is great and we love seeing things opened up, but when you get to the big show, you dance with who brought ya. Royster has been a beast all year so we'd like to see him continue getting the ball.

3. What are your feelings towards Derrick Williams' career as a Nittany Lion? Has he lived up to the hype? How? If not, who's to blame?

We have some pretty strong feelings on this subject. We were quick to criticize Williams the last two years for being underwhelming. But this season made us rethink a couple things. First, just look at his best two years: his injury-shortened freshman season and this year. It's not like Williams played poorly as a sophomore and junior; he was a solid player. But he wasn't the superstar everyone expected him to be. But when you take a look at those two "down" years, what do they have in common? A quarterback who could be described as inept at best and head-scratchingly awful at worst, and ultra-conservative play calling.

Seeing what Williams has done this year has restored our faith in him as a player. The two times the offense has opened up and he's had a playmaking QB with which to play, he's been outstanding. When the team wasn't throwing the ball downfield, how much could he really do? This offense should've been running through Derrick Williams for four years, and instead they've done it only for a handful of games (including the last couple). If he would have been utilized more, we have no doubt he would've made a bigger impact. Either way, he's a great talent, the program had two stellar years during his career and we wish him the best in his career in the future.

4. The national media is back-pedaling on their summertime pro-SEC propaganda, now saying that conference in overrated. What gives? Haven't we (basically, everyone outside the SEC) been saying that the whole time? How would Penn State stack up against the top few SEC teams, like Alabama, Florida and Georgia, on a neutral field?

On a neutral field, we think Florida is the only team that would really be something to be afraid of. Sure, Georgia and Bama are good teams and could probably beat Penn State because anything can happen when it's just one game. Florida, however, is a whole 'nother animal. They've been killing everyone since they lost to Ole Miss and they don't look like they're about to slow down.

We would love to see PSU play against any of the three because we feel they could beat any one of them. That said, beating one of them is significantly less likely than beating the other two, but we'd still like to see it. If football worked in a series like hockey or basketball, we'd never want to see Florida, but one-game at a neutral site? We'd love the chance.


Lightning Round

1. Daryll Clark throws a pick?
Negative, Ghostrider.

2. Royster scores? How many times?
Yes, twice. We always think he'll score twice.

3. Did you go to any games this year? How many?
One of us went to one game (Coastal Carolina), and except for the Illinois game, we were in State College tailgating for every other game. And we'll damn sure be there this weekend, no matter how much snow falls on the way.

Blue & White Roundtable: "There's a game this weekend?" Edition

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1. What's something you noticed during the Iowa game, that you haven't heard anyone else talk about? Could be something good, or bad.

It's surely been talked about, but it was the inability to get off the field on third down. Time and time again, Iowa just kept on driving. If the defense would have been able to stop one of a few third and 5+ yard situations last Saturday, the game is over.

2. We all know Daryll Clark won't lose his starting job, but what should the coaches really do this week? Will they, should they, let the offense open up? Or keep it tight? What will be the repercussions of either?

Go ahead and open things up. All those plays with Williams last week were great to see and for the most part, effective. Why not continue trying it? It's Indiana so they should not need to do anything wild, but hey, that was Iowa and they should not have had to do anything wild.

Stay sharp for Michigan State.

And is this "Clark should not be the QB," mentality really creeping into peoples heads?
Really?

3. If Penn State does win out, and faces USC in the Rose Bowl, what will the media folks say before the game? If PSU wins? If PSU loses?

Looks like we were already caught looking ahead once. Not gonna do it again.

Lightning Round

1. Penn State comes out focused, or flat this week?
Focused.

2. Will Pat Devlin finally play again?
No.

3. What could happen first: Notre Dame in the Big Ten, or a College Football Playoff?
The apocalypse.

Blue & White Roundtable: Week 11

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1. Do you agree with Joe Paterno, that teams shouldn't have to artificially inflate scores just to please the voters? We all know
it's just how college football works, but how comfortable are you with that?

We're alright with putting the game out of reach. You have to look at it from game to game. If you're playing a good team, you need to put them away. Remember Northwestern and Michigan State a few years back?

If you're playing a crap team that has no chance of coming back on you, then you send out the practice squad and whatever happens, happens. Just don't be callin for bombs when you're up 35 in the fourth.

2. Iowa has been a very up-and-down team this season, and it's defense can actually play. What are some of the unit-to-unit match ups you're looking forward to seeing this week? Which team will win your chosen battle and why?

Probably the most intriguing match up this weekend will be Penn State's offensive line versus Iowa's defensive line. We know, that's not very exciting, but that's where this game will be won. Iowa is second to Penn State in both scoring and rushing defense and is led on the line by senior Mitch King, who has 11 tackles for loss to go with three sacks and a forced fumble.

So obviously, Iowa's D-line has done a solid job this, but no line in the Big11Ten, offensive or defensive, has been as impressive as Penn State's O-line. They protect Clark extremely well, and as great as Royster has been this year, they've been the key to opening up the running game. So while it should be a helluva battle, we think the Lions' O-line will win this battle, allowing Royster to have another solid game and Clark to make plays down field.

3. Backtrack a week. There were riots downtown following the OhioState win. The State College Borough Council had plenty of discussion about "why" it happened, and what could be done to "prevent it" in the future. Of course, they got nowhere. Are wild, dangerous events like this just a part of life at a big-time football school? Or should (or, can) something be done about it?

No, they shouldn't be a part of life at a big time football school, not during week 8, anyway.

How retarded will those fans look if PSU loses a game? You save your parties for the National Championship, and nothing less. Sure, winning a big game is great, but it's meaningless unless you win the rest, too.


Lightning Round

1. Royster has a big game (100+ yds)?
Yes

2. Devlin sees decent playing time?
Not sure why he would.

3. Chances (%) PSU holds Iowa below 10 pts?
50%

Blue & White Roundtable: Armageddon

For the first time ever, questions are coming from us this week. If you think they suck, give us a break! It's our first try.

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1. Was Ohio State's blowout of Michigan State last weekend an anomaly or are the Buckeyes "back"?

No team is ever "back" after one big game. We feel it's more a situation of whether or not they ever left. Sure they had some slow games against some less than stellar teams, but Ohio State is always going to get everyone's best game. No one forgets to show up when they play the Buckeyes. There's a better chance they forget to show up when they come to play you.

Take into consideration the loss of Wells and the addition of Pryor and it's safe to say this team was going to be going through some growing pains, even if pretty much the entire rest of the roster is returning from last season.

The defense of OSU never left and the offense needed a period of adjustment, but we think it's safe to say that after Michigan State, the Buckeyes are properly adjusted and ready to go. They're a very good team, a dangerous team, and one that could ruin 2008 for us.

So yeah, I guess they're back.

2. What can Penn State do to avoid a slow start in this game?

Well that's easy: score early and stop Ohio State after scoring. Who came up with these questions anyway?

But seriously, it's imperative that the Lions get off to a good start against this team. If they can get a lead, it's going to put so much more pressure on the Ohio State offense (and that quarterback kid who's running it). Come out, let Royster control the first drive, make a couple solid throws and get some points on the board. Plenty of time to open the playbook up from there.

And on defense early on, all they should be worried about is stopping the run. DO NOT let the Buckeyes establish the run game, or it could be a long night. The more Penn State forces Pryor to make plays with his arm, the better their chances. Concentrate on those things early, and hopefully they'll avoid the early game letdown they had last weekend against Michigan.

3. Why is Ohio State ranked ahead of Penn State in the computer rankings? And why is every media member and his brother picking Ohio State this week?

Thanks Blue and White Roundtable Question writer person, that is an excellent question!

Honestly! Why are they?!

Ohio State has a loss.
Penn State does not.
Penn State has been convincing in every win.
Ohio State has been shaky against much lesser opponents.
Ohio State was smoked by USC.
USC lost to Oregon State.
PSU rolled over Oregon State.

Isn't relating common opponents one of the big things with the computer polls?
Who's running that show over there?

"Don't worry guys, I fix it."

As for why people are picking Ohio State? We really don't have an answer to that either. Probably because they expect Ohio State to be used to playing in and winning big games.

Oops.

Yeah, we reused a picture in back to back posts.

Make no mistake about it though, Ohio State is a good team again this year. They're always going to be good and there's no real reason they can't win this game.

Do we expect them to? No.

But that doesn't mean they can't, and if you're looking in from the outside, it's probably really easy to see a veteran Ohio State team that has dominated the past couple years, and pick them.

Lightning Round:

1. Who gets more TDs on the ground, Clark or Pryor?
Clark.

2. If the winner of this game wins out, will they get a shot in the BCS title game?
Yes and No.

3. Does dotting the I even compare to our drum major doing flips?
No. Some fat tuba player just standing there can't match the flip. The flip at least takes athletic ability.

Blue & White Roundtable: Payback @ The Beav Edition

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1. Penn State is undefeated and ranked #3 in both major polls. Have they been tested yet?

Well, I'm sure every fan outside the Big11Ten would say they haven't, but we feel like they have, at least to some degree. Despite being pretty inconsistent, Illinois is a very solid team, and they have some real talent, at least on offense. That wasn't an easy game. And the Lions have proven their worth on the road as well, because going to Camp Randall and winning is never easy, no matter how horrible Allan Evridge may be.

Obviously the big test is looming on the 25th. Another potentially huge match-up would be Michigan State to close the season. But there's still a lot of time before that game. If Penn State keeps focusing on their opponent on a week-to-week basis like they have been, we're pretty confident they can pass all their tests (at least on the field).

2. What unit or player is most responsible for the Nittany Lions success this season?

The offense. Specifically, the quarterback. One could easily argue it's some part of the defense because of the points allowed this season, but at all times Clark has looked like the real deal. He seems calm and collected, he makes the throws and runs the ball well when asked. The offense usually goes as the quarterback goes, and Clark has been going great.

3. How can Michigan beat Penn State on Saturday?

We don't really know. If this were any other lousy team in the Big11Ten, we'd say there's a chance that the Lions could look past this and let them hang around and claim a win, but this is Michigan. Guys on this team were there in 2005 when Michigan beat them. They've heard all the crap about how PSU has not beat Michigan in a bajillion years and they know this is their chance. No one will be looking past Michigan.

Ask this question when PSU plays any other crap team and the answer is, "PSU looks one week ahead and mails this game in," but since it's Michigan those guys are going to be focused and ready to go.

Lightning Round

1. Going up for Homecoming?
Of course.

2. What do you think is going through Maurice Evans head these days?

3. Where were you the last time Penn State beat Michigan?
Pickin' up chickies on the 6th grade playground.

4. Will Joe Paterno be on the sidelines for any of the game?
No.

Blue & White Roundtable: 'Sconsin Edition

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1. What must Penn State do or not do to come out of Madison victorious?

Do:

• Score when you get into the red zone. Leaving points on the field might be okay against Purdue, but it won't fly against the Badgers.
• Establish the running game. Let the best part of your offense set the tone. Then you can...
• Open up the playbook. Bust out some plays that will baffle the Badgers D. Get points on the board early and then don't look back.
• Stop the Badgers running game. P.J. Hill and John Clay are looking to pound the Lions D. Penn State must make Allan Evridge win this game at any cost. Speaking of which...
• Pressure Allan Evridge. He's looked shaky at best so far, and he's barely clinging to his job. Sack him a couple times early and then he's finished.

Don't Do:

• The opposite of all that stuff.
  

2. The Badgers are really down after dropping out of the rankings and losing their grip on a Big Ten title and a BCS Bowl. There is concern that the Badgers are emotionally spent and could collapse. Does Wisconsin bounce back and beat Penn State or do they collapse? Is there reason for panic in Madison?

Hey, by now we all know how the mainstream sports media works. They panic in Week 1, they panic in Week 7, they panic in Week 12. It doesn't matter what week it is or what happens, someone is always worked up about something.

That being said, there really isn't reason for panic in Madison. Do we think that the Badgers are going to win this weekend? No. Is an 0-3 start in the conference the worst thing in the world? Also no. There are a lot of factors at play here. There are good teams in this conference and Wisconsin is facing them early. Sometimes you don't live up to preseason expectations (like Wisconsin last year). And of course, when you don't win the games you're supposed to win (i.e. Michigan), you may end up with a bad record.

There's no reason to get too worked up about it though. In case no one remembers, we had a couple rough years not too long ago, and we seemed to have bounced back pretty well, now that we're rid of Morelli. There's no reason Wisconsin can't do the same. They just have to play hard the rest of the season and try to turn things around. And quit whining.


3. The Big Ten has a good crop of running backs this year including Wisconsin true freshman John Clay who is averaging 6.7 yards per carry. How much playing time does Clay see this week compared to P.J. Hill? How does our defense fare against them?

John Clay is good. When we read 6.7 yards per carry, our initial reaction was that it was probably inflated by a couple home run plays or running third down draws on 3rd and long. We call that the "give up" play.

So we checked out game recaps and play by play write ups. Against Michigan he had 3 carries. One of those was a 40+ yard run. That helps.

Against Ohio State he had 10 carries, on all downs, and put together regular runs of 10+ yards. He had a couple of 0's and 1's in there too, but he still moved the ball to the tune of 6.9 YPC.

Is this the week that Clay gets more carries than PJ Hill? We don't really think so. He's still going to be sprinkled in there and probably break off a couple nice ones, but we feel confident in PSU's rushing defense that's only allowing 80 yards per game.

We also feel confident that PJ Hill will campaign, via the internets, to maintain that number one spot.

I can make a play.

4. Between the third and fourth quarters the Wisconsin students do the "jump around", which shakes the stadium. How do you think the loud, jumping, night atmosphere will affect Penn State?

I think they've played in an environment like that a couple times already. Listen, they're playing collegiate football at a high level, every stadium is loud and rocking (unless you play for Northwestern or Indiana). They're taught to deal with it, they know how to deal with it. Maybe for some first timers this might be surprising and have some effect, but a lot of these guys have been around for a while and know what to expect. Also, we love Jump Around in Camp Randall.

One of the coolest things out there.

Over under for years before Penn State students take it and claim as their own?

Lightning Round

1. Predict the play calling. Do Galen and JayPa open up the offense or do they get conservative on the road?
Open it up. You have to. Wisconsin may have lost 2 already but they're dangerous for sure. Open it up and put them down.

2. What are the odds Wisconsin loses two consecutive games at home?
Hopefully pretty good.

3. Does the Wisconsin band play this week?
Doesn't look like it.

Actions like this will get you suspended.
Just like our blogger account is about to be.

4. How many quarters does JoePa spend in the coaches box?
Zero. He's on the sidelines. That why he's paid the big bucks.

Blue & White Roundtable: Week 6

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1. Name one unit-to-unit match up Penn State must win Saturday. How does PSU win that battle?

We think that this has to be the Penn State secondary against the Purdue receivers. Curtis Painter leads the Big11Ten in passing so far with 278 yards a game, while wide receivers Desmond Tardy and Greg Orton are both in the top four in the conference in receptions and receiving yards per game. This shouldn't really come as a shock. If we are Linebacker U, Purdue is Spread Offense with a Ton of Passing Yards and Mediocre Records Every Year U.

Still, it always makes you nervous when going up against an experienced quarterback with really talented receivers at his disposal. Rubin and Scirrotto are going to have to provide some help to the corners and try to shut down the receivers as much as possible. If they can do that even relatively well, we think we'll be fine as Purdue's rushing attack is dead last in the conference. And if the D-line can put a lot of pressure on Painter early, this point may be completely moot. That's fine with us though.


2. This trip to Purdue is setting up to be a classic trap game. Do you agree? Why or why not?

We agree that it is setting up that way. We don't think it will be, however. We know, we know. It's a road game against a marginal team with a huge game looming a week away. But this team is too focused right now to let a winnable game like this slip away.

Sure, the defense wasn't exactly mind-blowingly impressive against Illinois, but they got the job done when they needed to. And believe it or not, the Illini offered a much more balanced offensive attack than the Boilermakers will. They were moving the ball on the ground, but the secondary had to keep its eye on Arrelious Benn. Against Purdue, the Lions D can just sit back and concentrate on the pass, because the running game is just not there right now. Get some pressure on Painter, force some early mistakes, and let your offense build you a lead.

And speaking of that offense, it's just too good right now. Maybe we're overconfident, but they hung 38 on Illinois, and Purdue's defense is not even in the same league. In fact, they are dead last in the Big11Ten in BOTH pass and rush defense so far. If the D plays even decent football, shutting down Painter just enough, the offense is going to carry the team to another W. Trap game, schmap game.


3. Purdue will be doing a "Black Out" this week. Putting aside that it's going to raise money for charity (each shirt sold sends money to United Way), what are your feelings on other schools organizing "[insert color here] Outs?"

You mean, like Penn State? We shouldn't be too proud of the White Out, most other big-time schools have everyone wearing the same color to every game -- without having to announce it two weeks in advance. Most PSU people just seem to conveniently forget that the White Out was not their idea. Fans wearing a single color to a sporting event, believe it or not, did not happen for the first time a few seasons ago.

If anything, we're one of the "other schools" that are late to this party.

Now, don't take all that the wrong way. We love the White Out. We support doing it and participate when we get inside the games. People just need to stop acting like it's a PSU original and getting all high and mighty when another school sends people to their home games in school colors, God forbid.

But we don't like Paternoville.

Lightning Round

1. Royster over 100 yards?
Yes

2. Curtis Painter throws first TD ever vs. PSU?
Yes

3. Pat Devlin gets meaningful playing time?
No

Blue & White Roundtable: Week 5

If you couldn't tell by the feel of the questions, the crazy folks at The Nittany Line came up with them this week. Other possible participants:

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1. *warning - painfully obvious question alert* Penn State gets its first ‘real’ test this weekend facing a ranked opponent when the Fighting [None-Offensive-Mascot]s come to town. Gaze into your crystal ball and give us a short description on how Saturday night’s events will unfold. Or if you’re lazy just fire up NCAA 2009 and tell us what the Xbox thinks.

This question is painfully obvious. We would have asked the same thing.
The quotations around 'real' are pretty important in this question. What makes the Illini a real test? Just the fact that they're in the Big11Ten?

Ok, so they're a good team. Far and away the best team PSU has played to this point, but they're still a pretty underwhelming squad. Illinois is giving up a ton of yardage and got smoked by the only legit team they've played.

How legit will is Penn State? We might just find out this weekend. We doubt they'll drop 60-something on them like they did in 2005, but we expect a performance significantly better than what we saw last year when Morelli was throwing two picks and the backs struggled to punch the ball in from the two.

We expect the offense to move the ball with little problem and we expect the defense to do enough to stop an offense that has done pretty well do this point. We feel PSU has the edge on both sides of the ball, and should beat the Illini with relative ease.

Upon firing up NCAA 09, however, we discovered the whole team had been suspended for a violation of team rules, so we can't give the virtual report.


2. Saturday’s game is on the big stage at 8:00 with most of the football world watching. It’s a white out and Penn State is favored by two scores (as of Monday). Is this a lose-lose situation (the only way they could look good is by winning big) for Penn State or golden opportunity to show the world what the Spread HD is all about?

Well, we definitely don't think it's a lose-lose situation. Whether Penn State wins big or wins ugly, we don't care, we just want them to win. It's pretty likely that in 8 weeks, no one's gonna care much about the margin of victory in the first conference game.

But if we have to pick, we think this game is more of a golden opportunity. It's on national TV, and it is definitely a good chance to make a statement. The offense has been smoking hot, the defense has been at least very solid, and if the Lions win big, people are going to take notice. We have a feeling that the rest of the country doesn't think to much of the Big11Ten, especially after Ohio State took a big crap in LA a couple weeks ago. So if the team can come out and look like a juggernaut, then maybe people will start to realize this conference isn't all about the Buckeyes.

3. Now that all the fluff questions are out of the way do Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma get significant playing time?

Count us amongst those who are really sick of this story. In our opinion, there's no way these guys should even be practicing. Unless we missed something, weren't they charged with marijuana possession? For the 400th time, we ask, how stupid do you have to be? It's also incredible that Joe isn't being lambasted in the press for letting them back. Doesn't it seem like this was backwards? Shouldn't you stand up for them and let them work with the team when there are no charges and then suspend them when there are?

Perhaps we're being uptight, but that's the way we feel. Of course, the question didn't ask what we thought about it, it just asked if we think they'll get some PT. Our guess is that won't start or see significant action, but will be used in a backup role to spell the others. If they're going to be out there, we hope they play well.


Lightning Round

1. Back in 2007, Illinois Basketball fans made my skull crack open in rage slightly angered me when they befouled the statue of Joe Paterno. Do you hate the Illini like me or not so much?
No. (Hey, until last year, they really sucked, so they weren't really a threat. And we didn't even know we had a basketball team.)

2. It’s a night game please quantify the amount of alcohol you will consume before gametime (if you don’t drink please quantify the amount of fatty foods you will eat).

Have we mentioned our cooker? It makes a lot of food. A lot.



3. Put it on the line – final score: PSU 37, Illinois 17

Blue White Roundtable

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1. Penn State has the best scoring offense (55.3 ppg) in the Big Ten, and top-five nationally. Of course, this has been against two bad teams and a mediocre Oregon State squad. This week's Temple game should be another 40-plus game for the PSU offense. That being said, do you think this has been a fluke so far? Or is the Spread HD for real?

No, we don’t think this has been a fluke so far. But the credit for the scoring should go to the personnel instead of the actual offensive system. More important than the Spread HD is the simple fact that Morelli is no longer the quarterback. Clark and Devlin are obviously both better quarterbacks (and infinitely better decision makers) than Morelli was. Morelli played with a lot of the same guys on offense, but no matter how many weapons you have, an incompetent quarterback is going to make your team suffer. Clark and Devlin have looked outstanding so far, so lets hope they carry it over to the Big11Ten schedule.

On the other hand, we don’t want to knock the offensive system because the play calling has seemed to be a lot better this year, in our opinion. We’re not so reluctant to throw the ball downfield, but we’re still anchored by a great running game. Everything is balanced very well right now. And we can’t talk about the offense this year without mentioning how fantastic the offensive line has looked so far. As good as the skill players have been, the O-line has been key, opening big holes for Royster and allowing no sacks in the first three games. If they play this stout in conference games, look out Big11Ten.



2. If Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma are convicted, what are the chances Joe Paterno will play either by the Illinois game? What message does it send to the team, and the nation, if both players are given light punishments? Conversely, what if the punishments are seemingly too severe, like dismissal?

We think chances are slim. We hope the chances are slim because they really don't deserve to play. Look, we jumped up to say "hey you can't control what some people will do, even at your own house," only to find out the product was actually in the players' rooms.
If a secure future for yourself and your family and many future generations rests solely on your ability to give up smoking pot, and you can't do it, then you don't deserve the opportunity.

If the guys are being held out during an investigation, then why bring them back now that charges have been filed? Keep them out until they're proven innocent.

So we guess that brings up dismissal. Why not?

3. Leadership has been a huge part of this year's team's ability to move past distractions. Who has to really step up this week and keep this team focused? How does the coaching staff figure into this, or should they just let the players handle it by themselves?

We’re not sure anyone has to really step up this week, as we’re playing Temple. The Owls are improved (and could easily be 3-0), but we don’t think they’re a huge threat. That said, you never want your team to relax, and we’d love to see them go out and hang another 50-spot on the scoreboard.

We’re going to say that Derrick Williams will have to step up this week and keep the guys focused. He’s such an integral part to the team because he can do so many things on the field, whether as a receiver, a running back or a return man. He seems like the quintessential lead by example guy. He should go out, make a couple big plays early, and keep everyone focused on the task at hand.

On the defensive side, if the D-line plays well again, we think that will only help solidify this team. If they show they can step up when other members of the team have made mistakes off the field, then they will continue to earn the respect of their teammates and coaches and the team will jell heading into a big matchup with Illinois next week.



Lightning Round



Penn State throws its first interception this week?

No.



Evan Royster's YPC vs. Temple?

8.7

Coke or Pepsi?

Blue & White Roundtable

Thanks to Zombie Nation for setting this up.

Other participants:
There is No Name on My Jersey
Tangled Up in White and Blue
William F. Yurasko
Happy Hour Valley
Black Shoe Diaries
The Nittany Line
Zombie Nation


Oregon State finished with 404 passing yards last week. Does that worry you at all, considering PSU gave up some quality passing yardage to CCU?

It worries us, but not too much. The linebackers and secondary looked a little shaky defending the pass last week, so there is a small level of concern. But on the other hand, two things make us feel pretty good about the Oregon State stat: 1.) they were playing Stanford and 2.) they still ended up losing, despite all the yards through the air.

Oregon State’s QB, Lyle Moevao, definitely had a great game last week, but the Beavers’ offensive attack was too one-dimensional. They had 120 yards rushing, but again, consider the opponent. If Penn State can shut OSU’s ground game down like they should and build a lead, they can adjust their D for the pass. So playing catch up might help Moevao put up solid numbers again, but we don’t think it’s going to matter in the end.

If there's one unit in particular that has to play well this week, which one is it? Which unit could disappoint?

The secondary, on both accounts. The entire offense and the defensive line played terrific last week so we should hope they can duplicate the results this week. As mentioned in the previous question, Oregon State threw for a monster 404 yards last week against Stanford. Unfortunately for Oregon State, however, Penn State ain't no Stanford. The defensive line will be better suited to stop their running game (which didn't really do a whole heck of a lot in the first place) and the PSU offense should put up the points that will pressure Oregon State to start the gun slinging early and often. All that adds up to pressure on the secondary. Sure, the defense will adjust to that type of game if it's heading in that direction, but after seeing the kind of success that lowly Coastal Carolina was having with those short passes it should at least make you a little nervous when you face an actual FBS school that's capable of throwing the ball.

OK, elephant in the room. How big will the "5204" story get? If two of the players originally suspected of being there (*cough--thanks Collegian--cough-cough) weren't actually there at the time, how much of this has already been blown out of proportion? Does this effect Saturday's game?

The fact that this ran in the paper at all indicates that it's already been blown out of proportion. What are our thoughts on a player's party getting busted up by the fuzz? We say, "who cares?" Such is life in college. Sure, the players are held to a higher standard because of who they are, but they're also 19, 20 and 21 year old kids. These things will happen and even at your party at your own house, you can't really control what people carry in. If the story continues on and the weed belongs to one of the players who lived in the house, then we'll concede that maybe they should get off the Blue bus and head on to the green or red one that goes to the special kids' school. While we feel it is really none of our business what they do, and that these things do in fact happen, the players have to know that every eye in town is on them and that they need to keep their noses clean.

We do not believe this will really affect the game much at all. JoePa will drop his "ahhh, I, I, I, don't know what you're talkin about!" line and pretend it never happened, then coach his team like he does every other week of the season. Will the players involved have a bad game because of the incident? Doubtful. Anyone who's played a sport at any level of competition knows that you leave your personal life at the door and play your game once you step on the field. These guys are playing at the elite collegiate level, they should be more than capable of doing that.

Lightning Round

How many passes will Pat Devlin attempt?
8

How many times will Daryll Clark run the ball?
8

What will this week's Game Day Pins say? You know, the ones Citizens Bank gives out.
"Dam the Beavers"