It was like 2003-2004 all over again, except this time the players didn't stink.
Missed opportunity after missed opportunity plagued the Nittany Lions in an ugly, horrific, frustrating, baffling loss.
5 second half possessions ALL beginning in Illini territory yielded THREE points. Absolutely pathetic.
After watching Penn State try and take a knee on their way to victory over Michigan, the offensive Gameplan this week actually called to throw the ball. And Morelli looked great in the first half, as the Lions moved the ball with ease.
However, once the 2nd half began, at times it would seem as though the Penn State coaches would freak out, and revert to the screen, and the draw, and other head scratchers. Poor throws by Morelli yielded another 2 interceptions, and after poor Anthony made a gutsy, diving run on 4th down, he dropped the ball and turned it back over to Illinois. (Note that on the 3rd down play before that Morelli completed a 1 yard pass to DWill in bounds...when the ball traveled 30 yards in the air, when time was at a premium)
Who knows where this PSU team will go from here. A BCS bowl is now out of the question, and it seems as though the Outback would be a best case scenario. The scary thing is that looking at the schedule, there might only be 2-3 more wins, which would make for a really ugly season.
Last week it was the coaches, but you can hang today's loss squarely on the players. Turnovers, dropped passes, bad throws, butterfingers (on O and D), wasting field position, it was all there.
Illinois tried on multiple occasions to hand the game to PSU. Great starting field position, combined with dumb Illinois penalties, but Penn State couldnt take advantage.
Hold onto your hats, because this ride for the rest of the season could get really ugly.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
I've been saying this since 2004
Since 2004, Penn State has fielded a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP caliber defense. Only once, in 2005, did they even qualify for the BCS.
At least the national media is finally taking notice of the wasted effort Tom Bradley and company are putting forth.
Imagine a real offense paired with the Penn State defenses of 2004-2007?
At least the national media is finally taking notice of the wasted effort Tom Bradley and company are putting forth.
Imagine a real offense paired with the Penn State defenses of 2004-2007?
It's tough for any player to win games when he's set up to fail.
Here's a cheap shot at JayPa written in SI. Call me the guy who perpetuates the cheap shots.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
David Jones nails it again
Mr. Jones has now written two great columns in a row. I loved the first one, even though it never came to fruition. However this most recent column pretty much sums up the state of Penn State football.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Road Records vs. respectable teams since 2000
Michigan: 0-4
Ohio St.: 0-4
Notre Dame: 0-1
Boston College: 0-1
Nebraska: 0-1
Iowa: 0-2
Wisconsin: 1-2 (35-31 in 2002, the last "big" road win for PSU)
Minnesota: 1-2 ( a missed XP in OT after the D let's Minny drive down the field late in the game)
Purdue: 1-1 (A 12-0 game....hey, you can try and win that like! Worked out once in 18 road games!)
That's 3 for 18 if you're scoring at home.
Ohio St.: 0-4
Notre Dame: 0-1
Boston College: 0-1
Nebraska: 0-1
Iowa: 0-2
Wisconsin: 1-2 (35-31 in 2002, the last "big" road win for PSU)
Minnesota: 1-2 ( a missed XP in OT after the D let's Minny drive down the field late in the game)
Purdue: 1-1 (A 12-0 game....hey, you can try and win that like! Worked out once in 18 road games!)
That's 3 for 18 if you're scoring at home.
The Chef And The Roast Beef
Once upon a time, there was a Master Chef. He was a fantastic cook and had won many cooking competitions. He had cooked many meals, more than almost any other man alive. People loved his food, and came from all over to watch him cook, and eat his food.
But as the Chef continued to age, he became uncomfortable when people asked him to cook outside of his own kitchen. He became tentative and scared. He only used the most, plain and boring ingredients. While the chef would occasionally spice things up at home, when he had to cook in someone else's kitchen, he didn't want to risk a thing. He was so afraid to ruin a meal, that he made everything so bland and vanilla, that ultimately, it did ruin the meal.
Then, one day, the Chef forgot how to cook roast beef. He had cooked roast beef many times before, but all of a sudden he forgot how to cook roast beef. Sometimes it was too soft. Sometimes, it was too tough, but no matter what, the master chef just could not cook roast beef anymore. According to those that had watched him cook, and had eaten his meals, he hadn't cooked roast beef properly since 1996.
However 2007 was going to be a return to glory for this chef, and most of all, his ability to cook roast beef. In fact, two other chefs had recently cooked roast beef to perfection. One was a chef from North Carolina, and the other was from Oregon. They both cooked their roast beef to perfection.
The master Chef even had their recipes: both the chefs from Oregon and North Carolina provided a video to the master chef on how to PERFECTLY cook roast beef. They showed him how to carve it beautifully, and serve it up so that everyone could enjoy it.
So what did our master chef do? Rather than follow the recipes, he reverted to old ways, and kept using the same recipe since 1997. Why did the master Chef do this? Unfortunately, we'll never know. However, we do know that using the same old bland boring recipes, and not following wining recipes from other chefs, will eventually lead people to forget about the chefs great meals of the past, and merely ask: "How many more years until roast beef rotates off of the dinner menu?"
But as the Chef continued to age, he became uncomfortable when people asked him to cook outside of his own kitchen. He became tentative and scared. He only used the most, plain and boring ingredients. While the chef would occasionally spice things up at home, when he had to cook in someone else's kitchen, he didn't want to risk a thing. He was so afraid to ruin a meal, that he made everything so bland and vanilla, that ultimately, it did ruin the meal.
Then, one day, the Chef forgot how to cook roast beef. He had cooked roast beef many times before, but all of a sudden he forgot how to cook roast beef. Sometimes it was too soft. Sometimes, it was too tough, but no matter what, the master chef just could not cook roast beef anymore. According to those that had watched him cook, and had eaten his meals, he hadn't cooked roast beef properly since 1996.
However 2007 was going to be a return to glory for this chef, and most of all, his ability to cook roast beef. In fact, two other chefs had recently cooked roast beef to perfection. One was a chef from North Carolina, and the other was from Oregon. They both cooked their roast beef to perfection.
The master Chef even had their recipes: both the chefs from Oregon and North Carolina provided a video to the master chef on how to PERFECTLY cook roast beef. They showed him how to carve it beautifully, and serve it up so that everyone could enjoy it.
So what did our master chef do? Rather than follow the recipes, he reverted to old ways, and kept using the same recipe since 1997. Why did the master Chef do this? Unfortunately, we'll never know. However, we do know that using the same old bland boring recipes, and not following wining recipes from other chefs, will eventually lead people to forget about the chefs great meals of the past, and merely ask: "How many more years until roast beef rotates off of the dinner menu?"
Michigan Post Game Thoughts
That was it?
That was what was supposed to be the best chance to end the streak versus Michigan?
Oh wait, we actually had better chances in 1999, 2002 and 2005, didn't we? Maybe not. But if ever there was a chance to end the streak, this was it. Staring Penn State in the face, at 3:29pm EDT this past Saturday was a Michigan team that had been absolutely shredded by both Oregon and Appy State.
As I had told anyone who would listen to me, that Appy State and Oregon had provided the blueprint on how to beat Michigan: spread them out, and go bombs away.
Now I know that a lot of people kept making the point that ASU and Oregon had mobile QBs, unlike Mr. Morelli, and that made a difference. A to a certain degree, I agree with that point. However, more importantly, look at what Oregon did: THEY THREW THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD:
I knew Penn State was in trouble when they came out and went run up the middle, FB dive, penalty, and then took a sack on 3rd and long. It showed absolutely NO imagination, or desire to learn from what others had shown them.
For too long now Penn State fans have been subjected to watching Penn State try to "not lose" a game on the road. When was the last time that Penn State actually won a big game on the road? It was in 2002 versus Wisconsin. Since then, not one single impressive road victory. What I wouldn't give just to have seen Penn State air it out this past Saturday. Everyone keeps going on about how good the PSU wide receivers are. Really? Then why don't they get a chance to show it?
Why do we continue to run 3 yard outs on 3rd and 5?
Why is our senior QB not allowed to audible?
Why do we try and win every game that we play on the road 13-10?
Why do we take a National Championship caliber defense and subject them to the pathetic offensive showing and force them to pitch a shutout to win?
Why does our offensive staff take successful game plan tape from other schools versus the same opposition and learn NOTHING from it?
Why do our defensive backs insist on on playing 10-12 yard off the line of scrimmage on 3rd and 5?
Why does our 5th year senior RB have 4 fumbles lost in 57 carries this season?
Why on 3rd and goal does our senior QB one hop a ball in the the dirt at the 5 yard line?
Why is that we threw into the END ZONE only once, all game, and it resulted in a PI penalty, and then NEVER try it again.
There is something fundamentally wrong with the way that Penn State plays football on the road on this decade. While I understand that coaches coach, and players make the plays, is it not the responsibility of the coaches to put the players in a position to win the game?
More often than not, it seems as though the coaches put the players in position to FAIL.
That is what happens when you don't try throw the ball down field against a woeful pass defense.
That is what happens when you don't allow your senior QB to audible out of a bad play.
That is what happens when you don't even try to throw into the endzone.
That is what happens when you have your WRs running out patterns 5 yards short of the first down marker on 3rd down.
There are some bright spots however:
The defense, as usual, is sound. The new punter is outstanding. The special teams aren't the disaster that they usually are. Kevin Kelly didn't miss a kick.
The only other bright spot is that I knew Penn State would lose this game. I have no reason to believe that they will ever beat Michigan until I see it with my own eyes. I predicted a 10-2 season, and I'll stand by that prediction. The Lions will break our hearts one more time this season, but that's it.
That was what was supposed to be the best chance to end the streak versus Michigan?
Oh wait, we actually had better chances in 1999, 2002 and 2005, didn't we? Maybe not. But if ever there was a chance to end the streak, this was it. Staring Penn State in the face, at 3:29pm EDT this past Saturday was a Michigan team that had been absolutely shredded by both Oregon and Appy State.
As I had told anyone who would listen to me, that Appy State and Oregon had provided the blueprint on how to beat Michigan: spread them out, and go bombs away.
Now I know that a lot of people kept making the point that ASU and Oregon had mobile QBs, unlike Mr. Morelli, and that made a difference. A to a certain degree, I agree with that point. However, more importantly, look at what Oregon did: THEY THREW THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD:
I knew Penn State was in trouble when they came out and went run up the middle, FB dive, penalty, and then took a sack on 3rd and long. It showed absolutely NO imagination, or desire to learn from what others had shown them.
For too long now Penn State fans have been subjected to watching Penn State try to "not lose" a game on the road. When was the last time that Penn State actually won a big game on the road? It was in 2002 versus Wisconsin. Since then, not one single impressive road victory. What I wouldn't give just to have seen Penn State air it out this past Saturday. Everyone keeps going on about how good the PSU wide receivers are. Really? Then why don't they get a chance to show it?
Why do we continue to run 3 yard outs on 3rd and 5?
Why is our senior QB not allowed to audible?
Why do we try and win every game that we play on the road 13-10?
Why do we take a National Championship caliber defense and subject them to the pathetic offensive showing and force them to pitch a shutout to win?
Why does our offensive staff take successful game plan tape from other schools versus the same opposition and learn NOTHING from it?
Why do our defensive backs insist on on playing 10-12 yard off the line of scrimmage on 3rd and 5?
Why does our 5th year senior RB have 4 fumbles lost in 57 carries this season?
Why on 3rd and goal does our senior QB one hop a ball in the the dirt at the 5 yard line?
Why is that we threw into the END ZONE only once, all game, and it resulted in a PI penalty, and then NEVER try it again.
There is something fundamentally wrong with the way that Penn State plays football on the road on this decade. While I understand that coaches coach, and players make the plays, is it not the responsibility of the coaches to put the players in a position to win the game?
More often than not, it seems as though the coaches put the players in position to FAIL.
That is what happens when you don't try throw the ball down field against a woeful pass defense.
That is what happens when you don't allow your senior QB to audible out of a bad play.
That is what happens when you don't even try to throw into the endzone.
That is what happens when you have your WRs running out patterns 5 yards short of the first down marker on 3rd down.
There are some bright spots however:
The defense, as usual, is sound. The new punter is outstanding. The special teams aren't the disaster that they usually are. Kevin Kelly didn't miss a kick.
The only other bright spot is that I knew Penn State would lose this game. I have no reason to believe that they will ever beat Michigan until I see it with my own eyes. I predicted a 10-2 season, and I'll stand by that prediction. The Lions will break our hearts one more time this season, but that's it.
Michigan Play Calling: A Breakdown
Thanks to our friends at Running Up The Score, who provided a great breakdown of EVERY single offensive play in the Penn State Michigan game.
This will take you a few minutes to read, but is worth it if you really want to see how frustrating and predictable the play calling has become.
This will take you a few minutes to read, but is worth it if you really want to see how frustrating and predictable the play calling has become.
Friday, September 21, 2007
In Case You Missed It Last Night
Here is Lou Holtz's weekly feature, his "pep talk". This week was for Penn State, who have lost to Michigan 8 straight times.
Let me also preface this saying that I'm putting this on here for those who might have missed it, not because I endorse Lou "suffering succotash" Holtz in anyway:
Let me also preface this saying that I'm putting this on here for those who might have missed it, not because I endorse Lou "suffering succotash" Holtz in anyway:
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
David Jones Hits The Nail On The Head
Wow...I couldn't have said it better myself than David Jones, the guy who loves to trash anything Penn State football.
Great article, which sums up my entire belief about this weekends game in Ann Arbor.
On a very interesting note, I had NO IDEA that through 45 minutes of the 2005 game, Penn State scored exactly 3 points????
Great article, which sums up my entire belief about this weekends game in Ann Arbor.
On a very interesting note, I had NO IDEA that through 45 minutes of the 2005 game, Penn State scored exactly 3 points????
Monday, September 17, 2007
This Is Why Penn State Has No Names On Their Jerseys
We all know that JoePa hates names on the back of the jerseys. I wonder if situations like this are the reason why:
Was I rude to Brutus?
I was in Seattle this past weekend hanging out. The Dutchman made the long flight out from Columbus to watch Brutus, so it was a chance to go down and hang out him along with Doug, Ash, and Sweeney and see everyone. Dreama and I found this trip the perfect opportunity to take Stella on her first international venture across the border.
My hotel did NOT have the BTN so I went down to Sport, the local (Puget Sound) PSU alumni association viewing location on Saturday morning to watch the Lions.
I arrived about 8:50am, just in time for kickoff. I opted to sit at a table and wait for Ash to show up (he wasn't arriving until halftime).
About midway through the first quarter, a Buckeye fan and his wife showed up. They were minding their own business, and then a couple of their friends showed up.
At some point later in the morning, maybe around the 3rd quarter of our game, he struck up a conversation with me. I asked him if he was going to the game, he told me he was, he was a local now in Seattle. I told him that although PSU was about to go 3-0, I was deathly scared of Michigan next weekend.
He let me know that "Buckeye Nation" was going to be pulling for PSU.
Anyway, he got up to leave about 20-30 minutes later, and seemed like a nice enough guy. When getting up to leave, he said something like "We're off to the game now".
I smiled and nodded. He then looked at me and said "Hey you at least gotta wish us luck today, we're representing the Big Ten". While inside I wanted to say "Go F yourself Brutus", I just smiled and said something like "You guys have beaten us plenty yourselves, you don't need our luck"
I got the feeling he was sort of miffed that I didn't wish him good luck. Was I rude in not doing so?
After he left, I realized that I should have said something like "Here's to an injury free game".
So, was I in the wrong? I didn't say anything rude, and was perfectly cordial during our conversations. I just didn't feel the need (nor the obligation) to wish him luck. I am giving Penn Staters out there a bad name?
My hotel did NOT have the BTN so I went down to Sport, the local (Puget Sound) PSU alumni association viewing location on Saturday morning to watch the Lions.
I arrived about 8:50am, just in time for kickoff. I opted to sit at a table and wait for Ash to show up (he wasn't arriving until halftime).
About midway through the first quarter, a Buckeye fan and his wife showed up. They were minding their own business, and then a couple of their friends showed up.
At some point later in the morning, maybe around the 3rd quarter of our game, he struck up a conversation with me. I asked him if he was going to the game, he told me he was, he was a local now in Seattle. I told him that although PSU was about to go 3-0, I was deathly scared of Michigan next weekend.
He let me know that "Buckeye Nation" was going to be pulling for PSU.
Anyway, he got up to leave about 20-30 minutes later, and seemed like a nice enough guy. When getting up to leave, he said something like "We're off to the game now".
I smiled and nodded. He then looked at me and said "Hey you at least gotta wish us luck today, we're representing the Big Ten". While inside I wanted to say "Go F yourself Brutus", I just smiled and said something like "You guys have beaten us plenty yourselves, you don't need our luck"
I got the feeling he was sort of miffed that I didn't wish him good luck. Was I rude in not doing so?
After he left, I realized that I should have said something like "Here's to an injury free game".
So, was I in the wrong? I didn't say anything rude, and was perfectly cordial during our conversations. I just didn't feel the need (nor the obligation) to wish him luck. I am giving Penn Staters out there a bad name?
Hope You Have The Big Ten Network
If you want to watch Penn State vs. Illinois, you're going to need the Big Ten Network. Apparently that game has been selected, according to Penn State's SID Jeff Nelson.
If we dig a little bit deeper, we find out that this has been confirmed on the Big Ten's official website. It's also slated for a 12pm EDT/9am PDT kickoff.
Here's to some freshly squeezed "Juice Williams" on the west coast, for breakfast.
If we dig a little bit deeper, we find out that this has been confirmed on the Big Ten's official website. It's also slated for a 12pm EDT/9am PDT kickoff.
Here's to some freshly squeezed "Juice Williams" on the west coast, for breakfast.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Michigan Week
Well, it's here: Michigan week.
Also known (lately) as "Will We Ever F'in Beat Those Guys" week.
I saw that Penn State opened as a 4 point favorite. This is shocking to me. Then again, joe public probably doesn't know that Penn State hasn't beaten Michigan since 1996 (8 losses in a row and counting).
I'll have my prediction later in the week, but let's just say that I'm not the slightest bit confident. This game scares me. It will be really interesting to see what Penn State does on offense this game. We all know that the defense will be sound, especially if they're going up against a freshman QB in Mallett.
But what about the offense? Will they open it up, and air it out (ala Appy State and Oregon), or will they pull a classic "play not to lose" and try and pull out a 17-16 victory. By playing conservatively on offense, that plays right into Michigan' defensive "strength" (see Michigan-Notre Dame 38-0).
However, air it out, and go on the attack with a great WRs and Quarless back at TE, and we could make it a long day for the Wolverines (see: Michigan-Appy State or Michigan Oregon)
Can't wait to see what the coaching staff does.
Also known (lately) as "Will We Ever F'in Beat Those Guys" week.
I saw that Penn State opened as a 4 point favorite. This is shocking to me. Then again, joe public probably doesn't know that Penn State hasn't beaten Michigan since 1996 (8 losses in a row and counting).
I'll have my prediction later in the week, but let's just say that I'm not the slightest bit confident. This game scares me. It will be really interesting to see what Penn State does on offense this game. We all know that the defense will be sound, especially if they're going up against a freshman QB in Mallett.
But what about the offense? Will they open it up, and air it out (ala Appy State and Oregon), or will they pull a classic "play not to lose" and try and pull out a 17-16 victory. By playing conservatively on offense, that plays right into Michigan' defensive "strength" (see Michigan-Notre Dame 38-0).
However, air it out, and go on the attack with a great WRs and Quarless back at TE, and we could make it a long day for the Wolverines (see: Michigan-Appy State or Michigan Oregon)
Can't wait to see what the coaching staff does.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Who Has The Loudest Stadium In The Nation?
Apparently Brutus is being warned to watch out for Husky Stadium this weekend, and how "loud" it is. According to the video below, however, Brutus is far from scared.
Ironically enough, the loudest stadium I've ever been to is the horseshoe for the 2002 Ohio State-Penn State game. Granted, I'm sure that it had something to do with being in the closed end of the stadium and sitting about 6 rows off of the field.
Actually, that just made me think. Should they still call it a "Horseshoe" even if they closed in the other end zone? That's a Buckeye for you....
Ironically enough, the loudest stadium I've ever been to is the horseshoe for the 2002 Ohio State-Penn State game. Granted, I'm sure that it had something to do with being in the closed end of the stadium and sitting about 6 rows off of the field.
Actually, that just made me think. Should they still call it a "Horseshoe" even if they closed in the other end zone? That's a Buckeye for you....
Get The Led Our For A Reunion Concert
I had heard about a rumored Led Zeppelin reunion tour, but it now seems as though the reality is a single concert, rather than a tour. The concert will be in London some time in November.
Jason Bonham will be on drums in place of his father, John.
I wonder how much tickets for the show will go for? My guess is that if you can't get one directly, and have to go through a scalper, tickets would easily fetch up to 1,0000 pounds (approx $2,000).
If you have a prediction on price, post it in the comments section. Oh yeah, and if you have a connection for a ticket, send me an email.
Jason Bonham will be on drums in place of his father, John.
I wonder how much tickets for the show will go for? My guess is that if you can't get one directly, and have to go through a scalper, tickets would easily fetch up to 1,0000 pounds (approx $2,000).
If you have a prediction on price, post it in the comments section. Oh yeah, and if you have a connection for a ticket, send me an email.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
It only took two weeks to change their minds
Both Ivan Maisel and Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com are now predicting Penn State to play in the Fiesta in their latest bowl projections.
Unfortunately, I can't pull up the old version of the projections, but I do know that NONE of ESPN's 8 writers who did preseason bowl predictions had the Lions in anything better than the Cap One Bowl.
Seeing as they have Wisconsin playing in the Rose Bowl, one must assume that Ivan and Mark have us finishing second in the Big Ten. Should be really interesting in the Big Ten once conference play kicks off.
Unfortunately, I can't pull up the old version of the projections, but I do know that NONE of ESPN's 8 writers who did preseason bowl predictions had the Lions in anything better than the Cap One Bowl.
Seeing as they have Wisconsin playing in the Rose Bowl, one must assume that Ivan and Mark have us finishing second in the Big Ten. Should be really interesting in the Big Ten once conference play kicks off.
"I Want To Go To Oregon"
In an earlier post, I had wrote about how I didn't get it when Penn State "fans" were cheering for Michigan because "we play them" and they wanted to "improve our Strength of Schedule".
Well, I take joy in seeing places like Michigan and Ohio State lose on the football field. Especially when it's out of conference. I submit to you more evidence, that clearly shows how Michigan losing, hurts their recruiting, and can therefore help Penn State: Enjoy the article.
Well, I take joy in seeing places like Michigan and Ohio State lose on the football field. Especially when it's out of conference. I submit to you more evidence, that clearly shows how Michigan losing, hurts their recruiting, and can therefore help Penn State: Enjoy the article.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Great Video from the White Out vs. Notre Dame
Thanks to CSTV for this great video from this past Saturday's game vs. Notre Dame.
One thing I found particularly impressive, and interesting, was that the students now actually SING the correct words to the Alma Mater:
I took this video down, since it was annoying loading every time the blog loaded. However, you can still see the video by going here:
One thing I found particularly impressive, and interesting, was that the students now actually SING the correct words to the Alma Mater:
I took this video down, since it was annoying loading every time the blog loaded. However, you can still see the video by going here:
A real source confirms Michigan Kick Off Time
National TV on ABC....unless you live in Ohio, then you'll have to watch on ESPN.
Click here for more infomation.
Click here for more infomation.
Michigan Kickoff Time announced
If you trust the enemy, they are reporting 3:30pm on ABC at the top of the page.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Notre Dame Game Postgame Thoughts
I for one was very happy with the result of the Penn State-Notre Dame game. Although the offense looked sloppy at times, overall it was a great win, especially when you consider that ND's points came from a FG after a long punt return, and then an 85 yard pick six.
Speaking of that pick six, I was utterly amazed, as I watched on TV, that there was NO camera angle of the DB running down the sidelines. It seemed as though it was certainly possible that he stepped out of bounds. No replay, no video of a reverse angle, so we'll never know. But from my angle, it sure looked close.
As for the game itself and the atmosphere, it looked absolutely fantastic on TV. Memo to the AD and the Big Ten: can we please get more 6pm kickoffs? Much better than the 8pm IMHO, and gives way more time to tailgate and have fun than the 3:30pm games.
The white out looked fantastic, and it was the type of game that justifies the purchase of an HDTV. The sun setting, the stadium, the whiteout, all in glorious HD looked absolutely fantastic. Kudos to the fans and the students who did a great job.
The game was off to a horrible start until DWill did what we've all been waiting for him to do since his freshman year (the TD run vs OSU): make a big play in a big game.
One absolutely maddening part of the game was the bush league stunt pulled by ND's #26. How he didn't get ejected, I'll have no idea. Is that really how ND plays nowadays? This was a joke:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5sxFegnxMk
The Big Ten, after watching football on Saturday, is wide open and there for the taking. Wisconsin escaped against UNLV. Ohio State was uninspired against the zips, and then there is the train wreck known as the 2007 Michigan Wolverines.
I believe that the book has been written on how to beat UM this year: spread out wide, and air it out. It's what about Appalachian State and Oregon did, with WRs wide open, streaking down the field.
If Galen Hall and JayPa have any brains, we'll spread out 4 wide, with Norwood, Bell, DWill and Butler and have at 'em.
My concern is that Joe will go conservative, and try and win this one 13-10 in the Big House. The sad part is that Penn State has the horses to administer a 45-10 thrashing on a weak, wounded UM defense. The question remains, however, is will Joe turn the offense loose (ala Ohio State 1994 63-14) or will he pull back the reigns and try and win an ugly defensive battle (ala Ohio State 2005 17-10).
As I wrote, Oregon and ASU have given Penn State the game plan on a silver platter. Will they take it and execute it? Or play not to lose?
I know what I'm hoping for, but sadly, I also know what I expect to see. Michigan is a wounded animal, and this game is there for the taking. Let's just hope our coaches put our players in the best position to win.
Speaking of that pick six, I was utterly amazed, as I watched on TV, that there was NO camera angle of the DB running down the sidelines. It seemed as though it was certainly possible that he stepped out of bounds. No replay, no video of a reverse angle, so we'll never know. But from my angle, it sure looked close.
As for the game itself and the atmosphere, it looked absolutely fantastic on TV. Memo to the AD and the Big Ten: can we please get more 6pm kickoffs? Much better than the 8pm IMHO, and gives way more time to tailgate and have fun than the 3:30pm games.
The white out looked fantastic, and it was the type of game that justifies the purchase of an HDTV. The sun setting, the stadium, the whiteout, all in glorious HD looked absolutely fantastic. Kudos to the fans and the students who did a great job.
The game was off to a horrible start until DWill did what we've all been waiting for him to do since his freshman year (the TD run vs OSU): make a big play in a big game.
One absolutely maddening part of the game was the bush league stunt pulled by ND's #26. How he didn't get ejected, I'll have no idea. Is that really how ND plays nowadays? This was a joke:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5sxFegnxMk
The Big Ten, after watching football on Saturday, is wide open and there for the taking. Wisconsin escaped against UNLV. Ohio State was uninspired against the zips, and then there is the train wreck known as the 2007 Michigan Wolverines.
I believe that the book has been written on how to beat UM this year: spread out wide, and air it out. It's what about Appalachian State and Oregon did, with WRs wide open, streaking down the field.
If Galen Hall and JayPa have any brains, we'll spread out 4 wide, with Norwood, Bell, DWill and Butler and have at 'em.
My concern is that Joe will go conservative, and try and win this one 13-10 in the Big House. The sad part is that Penn State has the horses to administer a 45-10 thrashing on a weak, wounded UM defense. The question remains, however, is will Joe turn the offense loose (ala Ohio State 1994 63-14) or will he pull back the reigns and try and win an ugly defensive battle (ala Ohio State 2005 17-10).
As I wrote, Oregon and ASU have given Penn State the game plan on a silver platter. Will they take it and execute it? Or play not to lose?
I know what I'm hoping for, but sadly, I also know what I expect to see. Michigan is a wounded animal, and this game is there for the taking. Let's just hope our coaches put our players in the best position to win.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Getting Pumped Up For Notre Dame
Found this great site.
You'll want to bookmark it.
http://fightmusic.com/big10.html
Scroll down to Penn State.
You'll want to bookmark it.
http://fightmusic.com/big10.html
Scroll down to Penn State.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Idiot Notre Dame Fan #124,345
WOW...in case you ever needed any other reason to hate Notre Dame, check out this dope from NE PA.
Penn State fans are bandwagon? I don't recall a third of the stadium wearing red when we played Nebraska in 2002.
Here's a little illustration for our guy on the You Tube video below. Let's pound the Irish this weekend.
Penn State fans are bandwagon? I don't recall a third of the stadium wearing red when we played Nebraska in 2002.
Here's a little illustration for our guy on the You Tube video below. Let's pound the Irish this weekend.
Memo to all of the Penn State "Fans" who are upset about UM and ND losing
In the past few days, I've read a lot of message board chatter and newspaper articles, such as this one by David Jones of Harrisburg Patriot-News, suggesting that the losses by Michigan and Notre Dame this past weekend are bad for Penn State.
I've even heard such suggestions that Penn State fans who were rooting for Appalachian State and Georgia Tech "just don't get it"?
Really?
Let me explain it to you Penn State "fans".
Here is a simple rooting guide for you to follow:
1. Cheer for Penn State to win every game.
2. Cheer for the teams that you hate (insert Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Florida State, etc) to lose EVERY game.
3. Cheer against any school ranked higher than Penn State to also lose, so that Penn State can climb up in the BCS rankings and the polls.
It's really that simple.
When I hear crap about "it hurts our strength of schedule" or "don't you understand how the BCS works", I want to scream. Here are some counterpoints for you:
1. As far as strength of schedule goes, let's worry about that in November, not Labor Day weekend. Penn State started out ranked so low, that their preseason ranking, and NOT their strength of schedule, would be their undoing when it comes to POTENTIALLY running the table and playing for the National Championship.
2. Worrying about strength of schedule implies extreme confidence in Penn State running the table. A bit ridiculous considering they haven't done so since 1994. I'll take the losses by the scum of the earth (Michigan, Notre Dame) and put those in the bank. Thanks ASU and GT.
3. Even if Michigan and Notre Dame have great seasons, and PSU ran the table, would they jump a perfect USC or SEC champ? I don't think so.
4. What about the impact of recruiting? Do you think that it hurts, or helps Penn State, when they are going head to head with Michigan and Notre Dame for players, and they can drop the "we don't lose to 1AA programs at home" mantra....EXACTLY.
Back in the 1990s, when I was in school, and when a Penn State season was considered "over" the day after the first loss of they year, I fully subscribed to the "root for your opponents" mantra. You wanted to play the highest ranked team possible. But then a funny thing happened.
We joined the Big Ten, and the disasterous seasons of '00, '01, '03 and '04 left me a bitter, jaded man. I want to see the enemy lose, and lose badly. I'll just worry about us running the table, and then let the chips fall where they may.
You Penn State "fans", who tell me that I "just don't get it", do me a favor. Get out your Tony Rice throwback, or your Marcus Ray throwback, and put it on this weekend. Go and cheer for Penn State opponents, because it's going to "help" them in the BCS. I'll enjoying rooting for Penn State, with my 2nd, 3rd and 4th favorite teams being whoever is playing Michigan, Ohio State, and Notre Dame on any given weekend.
I've even heard such suggestions that Penn State fans who were rooting for Appalachian State and Georgia Tech "just don't get it"?
Really?
Let me explain it to you Penn State "fans".
Here is a simple rooting guide for you to follow:
1. Cheer for Penn State to win every game.
2. Cheer for the teams that you hate (insert Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Florida State, etc) to lose EVERY game.
3. Cheer against any school ranked higher than Penn State to also lose, so that Penn State can climb up in the BCS rankings and the polls.
It's really that simple.
When I hear crap about "it hurts our strength of schedule" or "don't you understand how the BCS works", I want to scream. Here are some counterpoints for you:
1. As far as strength of schedule goes, let's worry about that in November, not Labor Day weekend. Penn State started out ranked so low, that their preseason ranking, and NOT their strength of schedule, would be their undoing when it comes to POTENTIALLY running the table and playing for the National Championship.
2. Worrying about strength of schedule implies extreme confidence in Penn State running the table. A bit ridiculous considering they haven't done so since 1994. I'll take the losses by the scum of the earth (Michigan, Notre Dame) and put those in the bank. Thanks ASU and GT.
3. Even if Michigan and Notre Dame have great seasons, and PSU ran the table, would they
4. What about the impact of recruiting? Do you think that it hurts, or helps Penn State, when they are going head to head with Michigan and Notre Dame for players, and they can drop the "we don't lose to 1AA programs at home" mantra....EXACTLY.
Back in the 1990s, when I was in school, and when a Penn State season was considered "over" the day after the first loss of they year, I fully subscribed to the "root for your opponents" mantra. You wanted to play the highest ranked team possible. But then a funny thing happened.
We joined the Big Ten, and the disasterous seasons of '00, '01, '03 and '04 left me a bitter, jaded man. I want to see the enemy lose, and lose badly. I'll just worry about us running the table, and then let the chips fall where they may.
You Penn State "fans", who tell me that I "just don't get it", do me a favor. Get out your Tony Rice throwback, or your Marcus Ray throwback, and put it on this weekend. Go and cheer for Penn State opponents, because it's going to "help" them in the BCS. I'll enjoying rooting for Penn State, with my 2nd, 3rd and 4th favorite teams being whoever is playing Michigan, Ohio State, and Notre Dame on any given weekend.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Notre Dame is so pathetic.....gameday has cancelled on Penn State
ESPN's wildly popular College Gameday, featuring Kirk Herbstreit, Chris Fowler and Lee Corso had announced over the summer that they would be in State College, PA on September 8th for the Penn State vs. Notre Dame game.
Since Gameday was in Blacksburg, VA for the Virginia Tech opener, they had announced that they would be in State College for week 2.
One assumed that although the #9 Hokies play #2 LSU, that Gameday didn't want to feature the Hokies two weeks in a row.
Well after Notre Dame's pathetic showing in their opener, a 33-3 beatdown at the hands of the Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech, I see that Gameday no longer deems coming to State College worthy. I don't know what more Penn State could have done: a 59-0 dismantling of Florida International.
Notre Dame, however, obviously aren't recovering from a massive exodus of senior starters, as Georgia Tech made their offense seem as deadly as a popgun.
According to this report from a Virginia Tech website, Gameday will pass on Penn State, and the pathetic Irish, to showcase a top 10 matchup between LSU and Virginia Tech.
Thanks Notre Dame. I'm sure that this, along with memory of that ridiculously unnecessary fake punt you ran in last year's game, will offer plenty of opportunities for PSU to take out its frustrations on you this Saturday.
Since Gameday was in Blacksburg, VA for the Virginia Tech opener, they had announced that they would be in State College for week 2.
One assumed that although the #9 Hokies play #2 LSU, that Gameday didn't want to feature the Hokies two weeks in a row.
Well after Notre Dame's pathetic showing in their opener, a 33-3 beatdown at the hands of the Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech, I see that Gameday no longer deems coming to State College worthy. I don't know what more Penn State could have done: a 59-0 dismantling of Florida International.
Notre Dame, however, obviously aren't recovering from a massive exodus of senior starters, as Georgia Tech made their offense seem as deadly as a popgun.
According to this report from a Virginia Tech website, Gameday will pass on Penn State, and the pathetic Irish, to showcase a top 10 matchup between LSU and Virginia Tech.
Thanks Notre Dame. I'm sure that this, along with memory of that ridiculously unnecessary fake punt you ran in last year's game, will offer plenty of opportunities for PSU to take out its frustrations on you this Saturday.
Appalachian State? Are you kidding me.....
I was away in Whistler, BC for the weekend, doing some R&R, and had no access to college football save for whatever games were on ABC and NBC. I had decided to TIVO the Penn State game, since I wasn't really worried about the game being ruined by someone telling me the score.
I had received a few texts and updates about the PSU game, when my good friend Mike Lagg sent me a text saying that Michigan was losing 28-14 to Apppalachian State!
This was actually better news than Penn State being up big at the half. A while later, I was on the phone with another good friend, Seth Holst, who as we were chatting informed me that Mike Hart just ripped off a 53 yard TD run to put the Wolverines up 32-31 with about 5 minutes left. As we chatted, he further informed me that the ASU QB had just thrown a pick. I figured that with the ball deep in ASU (that's Appalachian State, NOT Arizona State for you skim readers), it was game over.
A little while later, my phone rings again, with my friend Mike Lagg back on the phone. He informed me that ASU had just kicked a FG on 1st down (why did they do that instead of running the clock down.but I digress) to go up 34-32.
He was kind enough to stay on the phone with me, giving me the play by play as Mario Manningham hauled in a long bomb (how the hell did he get into single coverage?) with 6 seconds left. Looks like Michigan was going to pull out a BS victory.
But the cries of "BLOCKED, BLOCKED" came screaming through my phone, as on the other in, in disbelief, I found out that Michigan had choked and lost.
While the call that I heard on the phone was great, none was better than this young ASU fan's sheer joy from right in the big house:
In terms of sporting upsets, this surely must top the charts. I mean no professional sporting upset can compare to a 1AA team beating the #5 team in the polls. So what other giant killer games are out there? Feel free to leave a comment.
I had received a few texts and updates about the PSU game, when my good friend Mike Lagg sent me a text saying that Michigan was losing 28-14 to Apppalachian State!
This was actually better news than Penn State being up big at the half. A while later, I was on the phone with another good friend, Seth Holst, who as we were chatting informed me that Mike Hart just ripped off a 53 yard TD run to put the Wolverines up 32-31 with about 5 minutes left. As we chatted, he further informed me that the ASU QB had just thrown a pick. I figured that with the ball deep in ASU (that's Appalachian State, NOT Arizona State for you skim readers), it was game over.
A little while later, my phone rings again, with my friend Mike Lagg back on the phone. He informed me that ASU had just kicked a FG on 1st down (why did they do that instead of running the clock down.but I digress) to go up 34-32.
He was kind enough to stay on the phone with me, giving me the play by play as Mario Manningham hauled in a long bomb (how the hell did he get into single coverage?) with 6 seconds left. Looks like Michigan was going to pull out a BS victory.
But the cries of "BLOCKED, BLOCKED" came screaming through my phone, as on the other in, in disbelief, I found out that Michigan had choked and lost.
While the call that I heard on the phone was great, none was better than this young ASU fan's sheer joy from right in the big house:
In terms of sporting upsets, this surely must top the charts. I mean no professional sporting upset can compare to a 1AA team beating the #5 team in the polls. So what other giant killer games are out there? Feel free to leave a comment.
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