It figures that the week I decide to publicize my picks, which had been pretty good so far, that I totally bomb.
Week 4 totals: 5-5
Washington State at #1 USC: I got that one right, almost the score too. USC: 47 Wash St.: 17 GOT IT
Iowa at #9 Wisconsin: Closer than I expected but still the same result. Wisc.: 17 Iowa: 13 GOT IT
#12 South Carolina at #2 LSU: Some hi-jinks by LSU left SC in the dust. LSU: 28 S.C.: 16 GOT IT
Georgia at #16 Alabama: So close! Alabama fought to get it to OT but in the end they just weren't tough enough. Georgia: 26 Alabama: 23 MISSED IT
Connecticut at Pittsburgh: I got this one completely wrong UConn rolled. UConn: 34 Pitt: 14 MISSED IT
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State: The Red Raiders offense didn't disappoint, scoring 45, unfortunately their Defense did giving up 49. OSU: 49 Texas Tech: 45 MISSED IT
Maryland at Wake Forest: Almost nailed this one dead on. Wake Forest: 31 Maryland: 24 GOT IT
#21 Kentucky at Arkansas: Got killed on this one, Andre' Woodson looks like the real deal. Kentucky: 42 Arkansas: 29 MISSED IT
North Carolina at #23 South Florida: Another good prediction, I seem to only be able to do that in the games that don’t matter. USF: 37 UNC: 10 GOT IT
#10 Penn State at Michigan: I knew it would be a close one, anyone who took the over on this game should never bet again, but Morelli broke your Hart, again. Michigan: 14 PSU: 9 MISSED IT
Could have been worse but I hope I never have another showing like that again.
Monday, September 24, 2007
3 Reasons Why Penn State Lost on Saturday
The game was hard-fought and the Defense played spectacular throughout much of the game, still they failed to beat Michigan, here are the reasons why.
1) Play-Calling: I said last week that the play-calling was going to have to change, the lions couldn’t just run the ball up the middle against this good Michigan defense and expect to get anywhere. The 1st series as I recall started with a spread formation where they ran an inside draw for no gain. That is not how you win football games against a team that is venerable down in the deep middle! It continued throughout the 1st quarter and into the 2nd half and when Austin Scott finally fumbled to KILL a drive that could have put 7 on the board the offense finally went into a different direction. Which leads me to the 2nd problem: Mistakes.
2) Mistakes: In a comment I left over at BSD I mentioned that in order to win this game the Lions and specifically Morelli would have to be mistake and turnover free. That of course didn’t happen, his fumble in the 1st quarter led to Michigan's 1st touchdown and put us in a 7-0 within the first 8 minutes. Later Morelli missed a wide-open Deon Butler on a slant that would have given up a TD. Austin Scott's fumble was the dagger in the heart killing hopes of winning that game unless a miracle happened, which it didn’t, when you go into hostile territory you can not turn the ball over and miss your marks, it only makes it harder to overcome the other team's home field advantage.
3) Exhausted Defense: This is an effect to the 1st two problems causes. The defense was very good, Connor played a hell of a game and met Hart in the hole all day but when the offense can't stay on the field and turns the ball over and can't capitalize on the chances they get that leaves the Defense to keep the whole team in the game. Hart only averaged 3.5 a carry, he only had a long of 14. But when the Michigan Offense kept getting the ball back they could just go to their bread and butter, running Hart 44 times for 153. And when Penn State REALLY needed a stop in the 4th with 4 minutes left after they had made it 14-9 the D couldn’t keep up with the Michigan Offense and that was that.
Overall: Do I think the Season is lost? Well if you define a season with whether Penn State wins a National Championship or not then yes I do think it’s lost. But I truly believe we still have a top 10 Defense in the country and we will be able to hang with Wisconsin and Ohio State, if the Offense can change something, ANYTHING, or if Morelli can mature just a little bit more then the team will become more complete. Remember those two games as well as Iowa and Purdue are at home, the only conference away games left are Illinois and Indiana with Illinois this weekend. I'm still this optimistic because we still really don’t know how good everyone is, Iowa gave Wisconsin all they could handle in Camp Randall. So if Iowa comes into Happy Valley and the lions take it to them then I would feel we still have a great shot at beating Wisconsin. Ohio State is looking like they are getting their act together, to be honest I wished we could have played them in the 3rd or 4th game of the season, the longer the season goes on, the better they will get.
1) Play-Calling: I said last week that the play-calling was going to have to change, the lions couldn’t just run the ball up the middle against this good Michigan defense and expect to get anywhere. The 1st series as I recall started with a spread formation where they ran an inside draw for no gain. That is not how you win football games against a team that is venerable down in the deep middle! It continued throughout the 1st quarter and into the 2nd half and when Austin Scott finally fumbled to KILL a drive that could have put 7 on the board the offense finally went into a different direction. Which leads me to the 2nd problem: Mistakes.
2) Mistakes: In a comment I left over at BSD I mentioned that in order to win this game the Lions and specifically Morelli would have to be mistake and turnover free. That of course didn’t happen, his fumble in the 1st quarter led to Michigan's 1st touchdown and put us in a 7-0 within the first 8 minutes. Later Morelli missed a wide-open Deon Butler on a slant that would have given up a TD. Austin Scott's fumble was the dagger in the heart killing hopes of winning that game unless a miracle happened, which it didn’t, when you go into hostile territory you can not turn the ball over and miss your marks, it only makes it harder to overcome the other team's home field advantage.
3) Exhausted Defense: This is an effect to the 1st two problems causes. The defense was very good, Connor played a hell of a game and met Hart in the hole all day but when the offense can't stay on the field and turns the ball over and can't capitalize on the chances they get that leaves the Defense to keep the whole team in the game. Hart only averaged 3.5 a carry, he only had a long of 14. But when the Michigan Offense kept getting the ball back they could just go to their bread and butter, running Hart 44 times for 153. And when Penn State REALLY needed a stop in the 4th with 4 minutes left after they had made it 14-9 the D couldn’t keep up with the Michigan Offense and that was that.
Overall: Do I think the Season is lost? Well if you define a season with whether Penn State wins a National Championship or not then yes I do think it’s lost. But I truly believe we still have a top 10 Defense in the country and we will be able to hang with Wisconsin and Ohio State, if the Offense can change something, ANYTHING, or if Morelli can mature just a little bit more then the team will become more complete. Remember those two games as well as Iowa and Purdue are at home, the only conference away games left are Illinois and Indiana with Illinois this weekend. I'm still this optimistic because we still really don’t know how good everyone is, Iowa gave Wisconsin all they could handle in Camp Randall. So if Iowa comes into Happy Valley and the lions take it to them then I would feel we still have a great shot at beating Wisconsin. Ohio State is looking like they are getting their act together, to be honest I wished we could have played them in the 3rd or 4th game of the season, the longer the season goes on, the better they will get.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Lets Go State!
I was cruising YouTube this morning and stumbled upon the motivational videos that they play at Beaver Stadium before the games and I have to admit, I'm FUCKING PUMPED UP!!!!!!! It put me in a great mood for this weekend so I figured I would help spread that feeling to all Nittany Lion faithful. If this doesnt get you excited then maybe you should check out Lou Holtz's Pep Talk to us, he gave it last night at half time of the A&M-Miami game, very inspirational but I would also point out that teams that recieve a pep talk from Lou are 0-3....nevermind that...Lets Go State!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Big Ten Blogger Roundtable: Week 4
A set of week 4 Big Ten questions, brought to you by the folks over at http://maizenbrew.com/.
1. Time to break out the crystal ball. I want to know what happens at the END of the season. Give me your offensive and defensive Players of the Year in the Big Ten along with Coach of the Year and why.
Offensive Player of the Year will be Mike Hart, he is on pace to rush for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Even if he ends up with a measly 1750 and 17 TDs he will be the OPotY. The Defensive Player of the Year or DPotY, will be Dan Connor, he is far and away the best Linebacker in the conference and will easily go on to make over 100 tackles (breaking Paul Posluszny's school tackle record). He will have 10+ sacks and will be the captain of the only undefeated team in the Big Ten. Coach of the Year will be a toss up between Indiana's Bill Lynch who has done some very nice things for the Hoosiers, if he can lead them to a bowl for the 1st time since the '93 season then he will be the winner. The only other option would be Paterno if Penn State does indeed go undefeated.
2. With the upsets, close games, and head scratchers so far, every game we thought was going to be important has changed. Michigan State is 3-0, for Pete's sake, and they look good doing it. Pick the three games on the Big Ten Schedule that will determine the Big Ten Champion. Bonus Points for not picking three games on your own schedule.
1) Wisconsin vs. Penn State: 10/13
Even if Penn State loses in the Big House this season the Wolverines have to play at Wisconsin and of course Ohio State, they will not win both of those games; in fact they could possibly lose both. So the winner of this game gets right into the drivers seat of the conference.
2) Ohio State vs. Penn State: 10/27
Here is THE game, we can speculate about how everything will fall but if everything works out how it is suppose to, these two teams will be undefeated which would mean OSU will be 4-0 in the conference and PSU will be 5-0 with wins against Mich. and Wisc. If PSU wins then they are good to go, 6-0 in the conference with only Purdue and Mich St. left on the conference schedule. If OSU wins then they are 5-0 with Wisc and Michigan left to play.
3) Wisconsin vs. Ohio State: 11/03
This game happens a week after the OSU-PSU game, if OSU is victorious then this game could pretty much become a pseudo-conference championship game
3. How many games, this season, have you been to? How many games have you tailgated at? If you have tailgated, name your beverage of choice. If you answered no to the previous questions, hang your head in shame, or at least give a good story about watching the game in enemy territory and giving the bouncer the finger when he asked you to quiet down.
I've only been to one game, FIU. We drank, at great length Miller Lite and ate some Pizza, I would have made it to the Notre Dame game but I drank wayyyyy too much the Friday before ND and I woke up at 2pm to my roommate's shower leaking into the Kitchen so I had to forego the game to save th house...I still have my ticket..Anyone interested in a stub?
Bitter/Angry Bonus Question!
4. As the Big Ten Season kicks off, the Conference is in somewhat of a difficult position nationally. Needing some momentum after a horrid BCS performance, the Conference needed some momentum early in the season. It hasn't gotten it. The first three weeks have been abysmal. Is this just a down year for the Big Ten, is there a change Nationally that the Big Ten just hasn't picked up on, is there some truth to the "Big Ten Style of Play" that everyone harps on, or has college football simply caught up? What do you think and why? I may be beating a dead horse, but no one looks good this year and I'm at a loss as to why.
The conference isn't down as a whole, in fact I might argue that its up, the bottom of the league (save for Minn. and Northwestern) are improving, Illinois and Indiana are making big strides this year and Mark Dantonio has MSU playing much better than John L. Smith ever did. Michigan is having a down year; Ohio State is lacking big stars. I would bet good money that this conference is bigger and better than ever in the coming next two years.
1. Time to break out the crystal ball. I want to know what happens at the END of the season. Give me your offensive and defensive Players of the Year in the Big Ten along with Coach of the Year and why.
Offensive Player of the Year will be Mike Hart, he is on pace to rush for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Even if he ends up with a measly 1750 and 17 TDs he will be the OPotY. The Defensive Player of the Year or DPotY, will be Dan Connor, he is far and away the best Linebacker in the conference and will easily go on to make over 100 tackles (breaking Paul Posluszny's school tackle record). He will have 10+ sacks and will be the captain of the only undefeated team in the Big Ten. Coach of the Year will be a toss up between Indiana's Bill Lynch who has done some very nice things for the Hoosiers, if he can lead them to a bowl for the 1st time since the '93 season then he will be the winner. The only other option would be Paterno if Penn State does indeed go undefeated.
2. With the upsets, close games, and head scratchers so far, every game we thought was going to be important has changed. Michigan State is 3-0, for Pete's sake, and they look good doing it. Pick the three games on the Big Ten Schedule that will determine the Big Ten Champion. Bonus Points for not picking three games on your own schedule.
1) Wisconsin vs. Penn State: 10/13
Even if Penn State loses in the Big House this season the Wolverines have to play at Wisconsin and of course Ohio State, they will not win both of those games; in fact they could possibly lose both. So the winner of this game gets right into the drivers seat of the conference.
2) Ohio State vs. Penn State: 10/27
Here is THE game, we can speculate about how everything will fall but if everything works out how it is suppose to, these two teams will be undefeated which would mean OSU will be 4-0 in the conference and PSU will be 5-0 with wins against Mich. and Wisc. If PSU wins then they are good to go, 6-0 in the conference with only Purdue and Mich St. left on the conference schedule. If OSU wins then they are 5-0 with Wisc and Michigan left to play.
3) Wisconsin vs. Ohio State: 11/03
This game happens a week after the OSU-PSU game, if OSU is victorious then this game could pretty much become a pseudo-conference championship game
3. How many games, this season, have you been to? How many games have you tailgated at? If you have tailgated, name your beverage of choice. If you answered no to the previous questions, hang your head in shame, or at least give a good story about watching the game in enemy territory and giving the bouncer the finger when he asked you to quiet down.
I've only been to one game, FIU. We drank, at great length Miller Lite and ate some Pizza, I would have made it to the Notre Dame game but I drank wayyyyy too much the Friday before ND and I woke up at 2pm to my roommate's shower leaking into the Kitchen so I had to forego the game to save th house...I still have my ticket..Anyone interested in a stub?
Bitter/Angry Bonus Question!
4. As the Big Ten Season kicks off, the Conference is in somewhat of a difficult position nationally. Needing some momentum after a horrid BCS performance, the Conference needed some momentum early in the season. It hasn't gotten it. The first three weeks have been abysmal. Is this just a down year for the Big Ten, is there a change Nationally that the Big Ten just hasn't picked up on, is there some truth to the "Big Ten Style of Play" that everyone harps on, or has college football simply caught up? What do you think and why? I may be beating a dead horse, but no one looks good this year and I'm at a loss as to why.
The conference isn't down as a whole, in fact I might argue that its up, the bottom of the league (save for Minn. and Northwestern) are improving, Illinois and Indiana are making big strides this year and Mark Dantonio has MSU playing much better than John L. Smith ever did. Michigan is having a down year; Ohio State is lacking big stars. I would bet good money that this conference is bigger and better than ever in the coming next two years.
College Football Picks Week 4
Time for the weekly Pick'em, I'm a member of both the Deadspin College Pick'em as well as the Black Shoe Diaries College Pick'em. I've faired pretty well so far, in picking 10 games each week I've only missed 6 picks (it would only be 5 if Michigan didn't suck, did anyone really think they would lose 2 in a row at home? but I digress). My record is a respectable 24-6 and I thought I would just post the games and give my picks on here.
Washington State at #1 USC
I'm going to go out on a limb here and pick the Trojans.... call me crazy but I think they are a little bit better than the Cougars.
USC wins 49-14
Iowa at #9 Wisconsin
This is an interesting match-up the Hawkeyes were the pick for the sleeper in the Big Ten by many of the experts, but they struggled mightily against Iowa State and lost the game to the then 0-2 Cyclones 15-13. No offense is not a good way to go about beating the Badgers. I see this one being close for a small amount of time, possibly until half time but then the Badgers run away with it.
Wisconsin wins 33-13
#12 South Carolina at #2 LSU
No one is better than the Bayou Bengals at this point in the season, my top ten says so, Steve Spurrier will have his hands full coming into Tiger Stadium, South Carolina will struggle with LSU's pure speed and vicious defense that has given up a total of 7 points in 3 game and the touchdown had to be reviewed. I see a big win for LSU.
LSU wins 38-12
Georgia at #16 Alabama
This game as Jaws would say will be a "good ol' fashioned snot knocker". Big tough SEC football, one team, Georgia, trying to prove that they are still a good team and deserve to be back in the Top 25. Another trying to prove they belong in the Top 25. There have been some gamesmanship already this week; Mark Richt has closed practice to the public for the 1st time in his tenor at Georgia. Nick Saban comes from the Bill Belicheat...err Belichick coaching tree; perhaps Richt is fearing someone videotaping his practice? Alabama has been pretty impressive, a nice come back win against Arkansas to put them 2-0 in their conference. This will be a very close game. Alabama pulls it out with the help of a raucous Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama wins 27-23
Connecticut at Pittsburgh
A battle of the 2nd tier Big East teams, think of this as Indiana vs. Northwestern. UConn is 3-0 but should be 2-1 with a loss to Temple but the refs blew a call late in the game that would have given them the win. Pitt game MSU a run for their money but came up short last week, Pitt wins in the battle for 4th place.
Pitt wins 24-17
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State
I was at the Saloon Friday night and I got to watch as the Cowboys got their asses kicked by the Trojans.... of TROY. This OSU team was supposed to be the surprise of the Big 12, but with losses at Georgia and at Troy these cowboys are looking more like cowgirls. Tech has a huge offense as usual this year, the lowest score they have put up this year is 45. Red Raiders Roll.
Texas Tech wins 43-24
Maryland at Wake Forest
I've seen a couple of games from both of these teams and neither strikes me as being very good. Wake gave Nebraska a run for their money but as we saw Nebraska could very well have been overrated. Maryland hung with WVU for a half but fell apart in the 2nd half of that game. Wake has played much tougher competition so far (BC, Nebraska, Navy) and I think that will work to their advantage, Wake Wins.
Wake Forest wins 31-22
#21 Kentucky at Arkansas
Kentucky is coming off a huge win for their program, beating Louisville last week. Arkansas is coming off of a heartbreaking loss to the Crimson Tide in the last seconds. I think the wildcats will be just a little too out of it in order to get up for this game, Arkansas on the other hand will be ready to party. Kentucky gets run all over as it walks through this with a hangover.
Arkansas wins 34-24
North Carolina at #23 South Florida
I like this USF team a lot, the Tar Heels have struggled to win, Butch Davis is making improvements but will need a year at least of recruiting before he can make this program into something respectable. USF bulls their way to a win.
USF wins 30-16
#10 Penn State at Michigan
Here it is, the big one, the game that can turn the tide of the Nittany Lions season for better or for worse. I think if the Lions can get the ball to the outside early and keep Andrew Quarless involved often they can get an early lead. If the defense can pressure Mallet and stop Mike Hart then Penn State should be looking at a win. But if Hart can run then the Wolverines have a big chance to pull it off, if Hart runs for 150 and a TD that will set up Mallet to be able to throw the ball and that’s not at all what you want to see as a Nittany Lion fan. Mallet has good receivers to throw to and he has a cannon for an arm, if he gets time we could be in for a long day. I think the Defense will be able to keep the Lions in the game and I see them pulling it out late in the game, putting a final drive together to kill the Michigan hopes.
Penn State Wins 23-17
Washington State at #1 USC
I'm going to go out on a limb here and pick the Trojans.... call me crazy but I think they are a little bit better than the Cougars.
USC wins 49-14
Iowa at #9 Wisconsin
This is an interesting match-up the Hawkeyes were the pick for the sleeper in the Big Ten by many of the experts, but they struggled mightily against Iowa State and lost the game to the then 0-2 Cyclones 15-13. No offense is not a good way to go about beating the Badgers. I see this one being close for a small amount of time, possibly until half time but then the Badgers run away with it.
Wisconsin wins 33-13
#12 South Carolina at #2 LSU
No one is better than the Bayou Bengals at this point in the season, my top ten says so, Steve Spurrier will have his hands full coming into Tiger Stadium, South Carolina will struggle with LSU's pure speed and vicious defense that has given up a total of 7 points in 3 game and the touchdown had to be reviewed. I see a big win for LSU.
LSU wins 38-12
Georgia at #16 Alabama
This game as Jaws would say will be a "good ol' fashioned snot knocker". Big tough SEC football, one team, Georgia, trying to prove that they are still a good team and deserve to be back in the Top 25. Another trying to prove they belong in the Top 25. There have been some gamesmanship already this week; Mark Richt has closed practice to the public for the 1st time in his tenor at Georgia. Nick Saban comes from the Bill Belicheat...err Belichick coaching tree; perhaps Richt is fearing someone videotaping his practice? Alabama has been pretty impressive, a nice come back win against Arkansas to put them 2-0 in their conference. This will be a very close game. Alabama pulls it out with the help of a raucous Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama wins 27-23
Connecticut at Pittsburgh
A battle of the 2nd tier Big East teams, think of this as Indiana vs. Northwestern. UConn is 3-0 but should be 2-1 with a loss to Temple but the refs blew a call late in the game that would have given them the win. Pitt game MSU a run for their money but came up short last week, Pitt wins in the battle for 4th place.
Pitt wins 24-17
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State
I was at the Saloon Friday night and I got to watch as the Cowboys got their asses kicked by the Trojans.... of TROY. This OSU team was supposed to be the surprise of the Big 12, but with losses at Georgia and at Troy these cowboys are looking more like cowgirls. Tech has a huge offense as usual this year, the lowest score they have put up this year is 45. Red Raiders Roll.
Texas Tech wins 43-24
Maryland at Wake Forest
I've seen a couple of games from both of these teams and neither strikes me as being very good. Wake gave Nebraska a run for their money but as we saw Nebraska could very well have been overrated. Maryland hung with WVU for a half but fell apart in the 2nd half of that game. Wake has played much tougher competition so far (BC, Nebraska, Navy) and I think that will work to their advantage, Wake Wins.
Wake Forest wins 31-22
#21 Kentucky at Arkansas
Kentucky is coming off a huge win for their program, beating Louisville last week. Arkansas is coming off of a heartbreaking loss to the Crimson Tide in the last seconds. I think the wildcats will be just a little too out of it in order to get up for this game, Arkansas on the other hand will be ready to party. Kentucky gets run all over as it walks through this with a hangover.
Arkansas wins 34-24
North Carolina at #23 South Florida
I like this USF team a lot, the Tar Heels have struggled to win, Butch Davis is making improvements but will need a year at least of recruiting before he can make this program into something respectable. USF bulls their way to a win.
USF wins 30-16
#10 Penn State at Michigan
Here it is, the big one, the game that can turn the tide of the Nittany Lions season for better or for worse. I think if the Lions can get the ball to the outside early and keep Andrew Quarless involved often they can get an early lead. If the defense can pressure Mallet and stop Mike Hart then Penn State should be looking at a win. But if Hart can run then the Wolverines have a big chance to pull it off, if Hart runs for 150 and a TD that will set up Mallet to be able to throw the ball and that’s not at all what you want to see as a Nittany Lion fan. Mallet has good receivers to throw to and he has a cannon for an arm, if he gets time we could be in for a long day. I think the Defense will be able to keep the Lions in the game and I see them pulling it out late in the game, putting a final drive together to kill the Michigan hopes.
Penn State Wins 23-17
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Blogpoll Roundtable: Week 4
Hey guys just thought I would steal another Roundtable to bulk up my 1st week. It would look bad if I didn’t post once I finally started to blog right? So this one is the Blogpoll Roundtable, and I'll just get right to it.
This weeks questions brought to you by Burnt Orange Nation
Handicap your team's chances to win your conference championship. If your team is not the favorite, who is?
I think the chances are pretty good for the lions. The 1st thing they need to do is beat Michigan for the 1st time in 8 attempts, that probably the 1,000 times you've heard that but it is true. If Penn State can manage a victory in the Big House then the title is just 2 home games against Wisconsin and Ohio State. It seems like a down year for the Big Ten and I think our defense will be able to carry us through the schedule of not-so-prime-time-teams of this years conference.
Outline the (realistic) best case and worst-case scenarios for your team.
The best-case scenario for the Nittany Lions would be to go 12-0, winning the Big Ten Title. USC, LSU, Oklahoma loses and we play in the National Championship game against Florida (where they would get their asses handed to them).
Something more realistic? 12-0 plays in the Rose Bowl versus Cal or Oregon. Worst Case? Losses to UM, Ill, Wisc, OSU finish 8-4, go to the Outback bowl again.
We're only three games in to the season, but teams and storylines are starting to take shape. Compare your team to a character or theme from a fable or children's tale.
Beauty or the Beast? We’ll find out on Saturday.
Imagine you're the coach of your team. Give three specific changes you'd implement immediately which you think would have the biggest impact on improving the team.
1) Run the ball with Rodney Kinlaw to the outside on off-tackle and sweep plays. Enough of this 3 yards and a cloud of dust stuff with Austin Scott, this is something I harped on when discussing what I thought PSU had to do in order to win on Saturday against Michigan. If you can get the defense going east and west you will be able to run north/south, not to mention run some play-action bootlegs, which Morelli loves.
2) Have a package for Darryl Clark. I know Morelli is the starter and I'm not disputing that but a few designed plays for Clark will add another little wrinkle to this otherwise bland offense.
3) Make Quarless the #1 target for Morelli, a tightend is a young quarterbacks best friend, the fact that he is a 6'5" target swimming in a sea of 5'11"-6'2" linebackers...he should be open regularly.
USC, LSU/Florida, and Oklahoma have established themselves as the frontrunners in the early going. Which other team or teams are you eyeballing as potential BCS party crashers?
Rutgers, they have almost all of their tough Big East game in its own back yard: Cincy (3-0), #24 South Florida (2-0), #5 West Virginia (3-0). The only difficult away game will be #18 Louisville(2-1) in the last week of the season. I will also make a case for Boston College. They are already 3-0 in their conference in just the first three weeks of the season, they now have 4 straight non-conference games and could possibly be going into #17 Va. Tech (away) 7-0. If they make it that far and beat the Hokies, look out.
This weeks questions brought to you by Burnt Orange Nation
Handicap your team's chances to win your conference championship. If your team is not the favorite, who is?
I think the chances are pretty good for the lions. The 1st thing they need to do is beat Michigan for the 1st time in 8 attempts, that probably the 1,000 times you've heard that but it is true. If Penn State can manage a victory in the Big House then the title is just 2 home games against Wisconsin and Ohio State. It seems like a down year for the Big Ten and I think our defense will be able to carry us through the schedule of not-so-prime-time-teams of this years conference.
Outline the (realistic) best case and worst-case scenarios for your team.
The best-case scenario for the Nittany Lions would be to go 12-0, winning the Big Ten Title. USC, LSU, Oklahoma loses and we play in the National Championship game against Florida (where they would get their asses handed to them).
Something more realistic? 12-0 plays in the Rose Bowl versus Cal or Oregon. Worst Case? Losses to UM, Ill, Wisc, OSU finish 8-4, go to the Outback bowl again.
We're only three games in to the season, but teams and storylines are starting to take shape. Compare your team to a character or theme from a fable or children's tale.
Beauty or the Beast? We’ll find out on Saturday.
Imagine you're the coach of your team. Give three specific changes you'd implement immediately which you think would have the biggest impact on improving the team.
1) Run the ball with Rodney Kinlaw to the outside on off-tackle and sweep plays. Enough of this 3 yards and a cloud of dust stuff with Austin Scott, this is something I harped on when discussing what I thought PSU had to do in order to win on Saturday against Michigan. If you can get the defense going east and west you will be able to run north/south, not to mention run some play-action bootlegs, which Morelli loves.
2) Have a package for Darryl Clark. I know Morelli is the starter and I'm not disputing that but a few designed plays for Clark will add another little wrinkle to this otherwise bland offense.
3) Make Quarless the #1 target for Morelli, a tightend is a young quarterbacks best friend, the fact that he is a 6'5" target swimming in a sea of 5'11"-6'2" linebackers...he should be open regularly.
USC, LSU/Florida, and Oklahoma have established themselves as the frontrunners in the early going. Which other team or teams are you eyeballing as potential BCS party crashers?
Rutgers, they have almost all of their tough Big East game in its own back yard: Cincy (3-0), #24 South Florida (2-0), #5 West Virginia (3-0). The only difficult away game will be #18 Louisville(2-1) in the last week of the season. I will also make a case for Boston College. They are already 3-0 in their conference in just the first three weeks of the season, they now have 4 straight non-conference games and could possibly be going into #17 Va. Tech (away) 7-0. If they make it that far and beat the Hokies, look out.
Blue White Roundtable...from the outside
Ok so I'm not offcially part of the Blue White Roundtable, but I am the newest member of the Penn State blogesphere so I figure I would chime in on this weeks set of questions. This weeks questions were offered up by Run Up the Score.
Reportedly, Penn State is playing some school in a mitten-shaped state this weekend. Are any of you actually optimistic for the Michigan game?
I am optimistic for the game. Not as much as I was before we struggled early against Buffalo and Michigan handled Notre Dame much better than we did(albeit with far more mental mistakes from ND). I'm looking forward to it in general because it will be the 1st time we will get to see the team play somebody, a game will finally have some meaning. If the Lions can win this game then we have the inside track for the Big Ten title and thus for a BCS bowl, and thats what we all want now isn't it?
Okay, we all know that Penn State has lost eight straight games against Michigan since 1997. Plenty of PSU fans blame the coaches' offensive game planning, calling it predictable and bland. Fair criticism? If the definition of "insane" is repeating the same act over and over again and expecting a different result, does this make our coaching staff absolutely crazy?
Yes that is very fair criticism. The offensive play-calling has been rediculous for a while, you can't build a lead by running the ball up the middle for 2 yards and then running a WR screen for 4. You saw the Michigan Defense struggle with the spread offenses of App. State and Oregon.
Wouldnt it be lovely to be able to have Michael Robinson for this game? With the speed at reciever and the play making ability of Robinson we would be 10 point favorite in this game, but instead we have Morelli. His arm strength will be an advantage so we will have to key on that, maybe throwing the ball to the middle with Andrew Quarless and some running on the outside by Kinlaw in the 1st quarter, that would be a novel idea.
List three things Penn State absolutely must do in order to finally beat Michigan.
1) Stop the Run....Mike Hart is the Hart of their team(sorry about the pun) but it is true, right now he has 500 yds and 5 tds through the 1st 3 games. If we can stuff the run then we leave Mallet to throw his way to a win.
2) Pressure Mallet, he had an easy day against Notre Dame. If the young D-line, which has looked good, can put pressure on Mallet and make him make quick indecisive decisons, that is to our advantage.
3) Better Offensive Play-calling, like I mentioned earlier, if we can get Quarless involved, his big frame should cause some match-up problems, and if the running game can get going, outside 1st, later pound it inside with Scott that should be able to put the Wolverines away.
Lightning Round:
Would you rather be facing a one-legged Henne or a two-legged Mallett this weekend?
Two-legged Mallet, although wouldnt it be nice to have to opportunity to make a no-legged Henne?
Your score prediction?
Penn State:23
Michigan: 17
In one word, tell us if the constant griping by Penn State fans about Big Ten officiating is valid.
YesNoYesNoYesNo....errr Maybe?
Reportedly, Penn State is playing some school in a mitten-shaped state this weekend. Are any of you actually optimistic for the Michigan game?
I am optimistic for the game. Not as much as I was before we struggled early against Buffalo and Michigan handled Notre Dame much better than we did(albeit with far more mental mistakes from ND). I'm looking forward to it in general because it will be the 1st time we will get to see the team play somebody, a game will finally have some meaning. If the Lions can win this game then we have the inside track for the Big Ten title and thus for a BCS bowl, and thats what we all want now isn't it?
Okay, we all know that Penn State has lost eight straight games against Michigan since 1997. Plenty of PSU fans blame the coaches' offensive game planning, calling it predictable and bland. Fair criticism? If the definition of "insane" is repeating the same act over and over again and expecting a different result, does this make our coaching staff absolutely crazy?
Yes that is very fair criticism. The offensive play-calling has been rediculous for a while, you can't build a lead by running the ball up the middle for 2 yards and then running a WR screen for 4. You saw the Michigan Defense struggle with the spread offenses of App. State and Oregon.
Wouldnt it be lovely to be able to have Michael Robinson for this game? With the speed at reciever and the play making ability of Robinson we would be 10 point favorite in this game, but instead we have Morelli. His arm strength will be an advantage so we will have to key on that, maybe throwing the ball to the middle with Andrew Quarless and some running on the outside by Kinlaw in the 1st quarter, that would be a novel idea.
List three things Penn State absolutely must do in order to finally beat Michigan.
1) Stop the Run....Mike Hart is the Hart of their team(sorry about the pun) but it is true, right now he has 500 yds and 5 tds through the 1st 3 games. If we can stuff the run then we leave Mallet to throw his way to a win.
2) Pressure Mallet, he had an easy day against Notre Dame. If the young D-line, which has looked good, can put pressure on Mallet and make him make quick indecisive decisons, that is to our advantage.
3) Better Offensive Play-calling, like I mentioned earlier, if we can get Quarless involved, his big frame should cause some match-up problems, and if the running game can get going, outside 1st, later pound it inside with Scott that should be able to put the Wolverines away.
Lightning Round:
Would you rather be facing a one-legged Henne or a two-legged Mallett this weekend?
Two-legged Mallet, although wouldnt it be nice to have to opportunity to make a no-legged Henne?
Your score prediction?
Penn State:23
Michigan: 17
In one word, tell us if the constant griping by Penn State fans about Big Ten officiating is valid.
YesNoYesNoYesNo....errr Maybe?
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