Zombie Nation: Penn State Nittany Lions

Showing posts with label Penn State Nittany Lions. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Penn State Nittany Lions. Show all posts

9.23.2008

ZN's CFB Top 25 :: Week 5 2008

The top didn't move much again. Doesn't anyone else realize that USC has had two bye weeks so far? Just thought I'd mention that. Oregon shouldn't have lost at home, even without a quarterback. Auburn choked big-time. And Colorado is emerging as a real threat in the Big XII North. But this week will tell us a lot about which teams are legit, as most of the cupcakes are gone.

Rank. Team (LW), [Record, LW Result].

1. USC (1), [2-0, DNP]
2. Oklahoma (2), [3-0, DNP]
3. Georgia (3), [4-0, Won at Arizona St 27-10]
4. Missouri (4), [4-0, Won vs. Buffalo 42-21]
5. Penn State (5), [4-0, Won vs. Temple 45-3]
6. BYU (6), [4-0, Won vs. Wyoming 44-0]
7. LSU (9), [3-0, Won at Auburn 26-21]
8. Florida (8), [4-0, Won at Tennessee 30-6]
9. South Florida (12), [4-0, Won at FIU 17-9]
10. Ohio State (10), [3-1, Won vs. Troy 28-10]
11. Wisconsin (11), [3-0, DNP]
12. Alabama (20), [4-0, Won at Arkansas 49-14]
13. Wake Forest (18), [3-0, Won at Florida St 12-3]
14. Texas Tech (14), [4-0, Won vs. UMass(AA) 56-14]
15. Utah (15), [3-0, Won at Air Force 30-23]
16. Texas (16), [4-0, Won vs. Rice 52-10]
17. Kentucky (17), [3-0, DNP]
18. Clemson (21), [3-1, Won vs. South Carolina St(AA) 54-0]
19. Auburn (13), [3-1, Lost vs. LSU 26-21]
20. Texas Christian (23), [4-0, Won at SMU 48-7]
21. Boise State (NR), [3-0, Won at Oregon 37-32]
22. Fresno State (22), [2-1, Won at Toledo 55-54(2OT)]
23. Colorado (NR), [3-0, Won vs. West Virginia 17-14]
24. Oregon (7), [3-1, Lost vs. Boise St 37-32]
25. East Carolina (19), [3-1, Lost at NC State 30-24(OT)]

Dropped Out:
West Virginia (24), [1-2, Lost at Colorado 17-14]
Nebraska (25), [3-0, DNP]

On the Cusp:
Vanderbilt (NR), [4-0, Won at Ole Miss 23-17]
Illinois (NR), [2-1, DNP]
Michigan State (NR), [3-1, Won vs. Notre Dame 23-7]
Virginia Tech (NR), [3-1, Won at North Carolina 20-17]
Georgia Tech (NR), [3-1, Won vs. Miss St 38-7]

*Coming Wednesday: Check out my chat with Paint The Town Orange, an Illini blog kind enough to cross enemy lines.

9.17.2008

Name That Nittany Lion!

I got an email from Zombie Nation reader Aaron. He had some fine pictures taken with Penn State football players last week. One of them was Derrick Williams. The other, well, he wasn't quite sure who it was. Understandable. I'd say nine out of ten PSU fans couldn't tell you who the players were without the uniform numbers. So we are going to leave it up to all of you, the readers. Name this Nittany Lion!

9.08.2008

Royster named POW

No, Evan Royster wasn't captured in battle. From the Big Ten's site:

Evan Royster, Penn State
SO, RB, Fairfax, Va./Westfield
Despite playing less than three quarters, Royster set a career high with 141 rushing yards on 17 carries and tallied three touchdowns in a rout of Oregon State. The sophomore running back averaged 8.3 yards per carry and scored three touchdowns for the second straight game, becoming the first Nittany Lion to register six touchdowns in the first two games of a season since Lydell Mitchell in 1971. Royster broke loose on scoring sprints of 15, 28 and four yards in the first half to help the Nittany Lions produce a 35-7 halftime lead . This marks the first weekly laurel for Royster.
LAST PSU OFFENSIVE POW: RB Tony Hunt on Nov. 13, 2006

Wow, the last one was in 2006? Doesn't that say something about the Penn State Offense, B.C. (Before Clark... yeah, I just came up with that)

9.06.2008

Big House? What Big House?

Today was the first time that both Michigan and Penn State played home games on the same day, and Penn State had the bigger crowd.

Miami (Ohio) (0-2) vs. Michigan (1-1)
Date: Sep 06, 2008 • Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. • Stadium: Michigan Stadium •
Attendance: 106,724

Oregon State (0-2) vs. Penn State (2-0)
Date: Sep 06, 2008 • Site: State College, Pa. • Stadium: Beaver Stadium •
Attendance: 108159

Just thought I'd mention that.

4.25.2008

Now Tennessee thinks they're "Linebacker U"

I promise, I'll have ZN's draft coverage up later today. But until then, sink your teeth into this little piece by Drew Edwards of GoVolsXtra. He's trying to make the argument--as so many other schools have for themselves in recent years--that Tennessee is more deserving of the "Linebacker U" reputation than Penn State. Maybe the Vol Nation is still sour that the Nittany Lions absolutely embarrassed them in the Outback Bowl two years ago.

"Type the phrase "Linebacker U" into Google, and you'll find thousands of articles and Web sites extolling Penn State as the preeminent school for linebackers.

Type that same phrase into Wikipedia, and Penn State's football page immediately appears on your computer screen via the Internet's version of Encyclopedia Britannica.

Come this weekend, though, that entry might need a little editing.

When Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo becomes the first Vol taken in Saturday's NFL draft (ESPN, 3 p.m.), he'll be the 11th Tennessee linebacker selected since 1999."

I never bought into, nor will I ever buy into the argument that a school deserves "Linebacker U" because of how many NFL players it's produced at that position. But Edwards tries to use both angles for his story, throwing in this number about how many All-America selections UT linebackers have been awarded.

"That dream came from Chavis' two years playing under Lon Herzbrun, who coached four Tennessee linebackers to a total of five All-America honors 1969-76.

"You look at that wall in the complex and see the number of All-Americans he coached at Tennessee," Chavis says. "Back then, Tennessee was known as Linebacker U. When I had the opportunity to coach linebackers here at Tennessee, one of my goals was to put Tennessee back in a position where it was known as Linebacker U. I think we've made some progress."

You can't go "back" to something you never were in the first place. Sure, plenty of other schools have tried to award themselves "Linebacker U"--Ohio State, USC, Miami--but none have been successful. The main reason is that none of those schools, including Tennessee, have maintained the longevity or consistency of excellence at the position.

Since Joe Paterno was hired as an assistant in 1950, the list of All-America linebacker selections goes something like this:

Robert Mitinger (1961), Dennis Onkotz (1968, 1969), Jack Ham (1970), Charlie Zapiec (1971), Bruce Bannon (1972), John Skorupan (1972), Ed O'Neil (1973), Greg Buttle (1975), Kurt Allerman (1976), Shane Conlan (1985, 1986), Andre Collins (1989), LaVar Arrington (1998, 1999), Brandon Short (1999), Paul Pozluszny (2005, 2006), Dan Connor (2006, 2007).

In case you don't know this, those were just the First-Team Al-America selections. That list didn't include the many second and third-team selections. Plus, if you really want to get into it, Sean Lee was a sure-fire selection for 2008, after gaining third-team recognition in 2007. Oh yeah, and Penn State has won the last THREE Bednarik Awards (2005, 2006, 2007) and the 2005 Butkus Award.

There usually isn't such an impenetrable argument in sports as this, so I personally welcome and encourage anyone to take a shot at challenging that Penn State is "Linebacker U." Sorry, but you'll get blown out of the water.

4.20.2008

Blue White Post Game

Stephon Green, Stephon Green, Stephon Green. Ok, so I'm not as excited as the rest of the Penn State fan base, but it was really nice to see someone break a long touchdown run for once. However, things weren't quite as crisp as I hoped it would be.

There were no interceptions, which, after last season was a big positive. But it seemed like the defensive line, as talented as those guys are, got through to the quarterbacks a bit too quickly. I really hope it wasn't a problem with the offensive line, but rather that Penn State's defensive line is just that good.

The wide receivers were as good as advertised, with a standard spring game double reverse wide receiver pass (as I predicted). I was very pleased to see Andrew Szczerba's performance. It should make us all that much more comfortable, should Andrew Quarless not return.

And finally, a brief comment on the quarterbacks. Penn State needs to use both Clark and Devlin in 2008. Clark still needs a lot of work on his arm, but offers the running ability every one's talking about. Devlin has twice the touch Anthony Morelli ever had, and can actually survive a post-game interview without saying "...you know?" 50 times. Again, no interceptions was a huge stat.

So that's it. Now all we can do is wait for the preview magazines to hit the shelves in a few weeks. I hate this time of year. It's the farthest point from football. Let's hope the team gets its act together over the next three months, hits the books and the weight room, and stays out of trouble.

4.18.2008

Blue White Game Preview

Here's your pretty lame excuse for a game preview. I'm not really expecting much from the coaching staff tomorrow. Sure, they'll throw in the usual double-reverse wide-receiver pass to get the crowd excited. But don't look forward to anything resembling the real offense Penn State will use in 2008. With that, here's some names and units to look out for in the 2008 edition of the Blue White Game.

Some big names you want to see play, but won't: Sean Lee, Phil Taylor, Knowledge Timmons, Andrew Quarless, Jerome Hayes, Jared Odrick, and Chris Baker. I'm not even mentioning Chris "The Chef" Bell for obvious reasons.

A unit that will disappoint: The linebackers.

A unit that will surprise: The secondary.

The 2008 Aric Heffelfinger* Award will go to: Ryan Gmerek. This selection was based on no research, data or even a hunch. I just picked a no-name schmo from the roster who will probably never see the field again. No offense to him, I hope he does someday.

*Aric Heffelfinger burst onto the scene in the 2002 Blue White Game, as he rushed for 92 yards, highlighted by a 51-yard jaunt. He out shined some guy named Johnson, and then was never heard from again.

4.17.2008

Blue and White Roundtable :: Bootleg Edition

I'm pretty sure no one would have a problem with this. So here it is. ZN will take on the latest Blue and White Roundtable, we'll call it the "Bootleg Edition."

Fine Penn State blogs that participate in the BWRT:

http://www.nittanywhiteout.com/
http://www.blackshoediaries.com/
http://thenittanyline.blogspot.com/
http://gloryofoldstate.blogspot.com/
http://www.yurasko.net/wfy/
http://tangledupinwhiteandblue.blogspot.com/
http://thebigeleventh.blogspot.com/
http://mvn.com/ncaa-pennstate/
http://runupthescore.wordpress.com

1. The announcement Wednesday is that contract talks are on hold until the conclusion of this season, and that Joe might not even need a contract to coach, how do you see this saga ending? Is this the final year for Joe Paterno?

ZN: If Penn State wins more than 10 games and notches a January bowl victory, that’s it for Paterno. He, the administration and the other powers want him to get—as left-field as it sounds—one more double-digit season before he goes. Ideally, he’d want an undefeated season. Paterno’s said that before. As messed up as this off-season has been, it is still possible. So I’ll go with yes, it’s his final year. Bradley will be named, and everyone will be screaming “why didn’t they f***ing do that when we still had a shot at Terrelle Pryor?”

2. Joe will clearly not be on the sidelines in 10 years time. Whether he is awarded another extension or is forced out against his will, a new face will inevitably be on the sidelines for the Lions in the years to come. Which candidates would top the list when it comes to a coaching search? Should it be an in-house hire or should we start off with a blank slate?

ZN: I’m selling my self out to the idea of giving Bradley a shot. I know it would still leave the door open to Jay Paterno staying, but it’s a risk I think Penn State should take. If there were a short list of candidates—Penn State will have to do this, just to make it seem like someone else has a chance—it would be Scrap, Greg Schiano, and Al Golden. Throw in a Randy Edsall or Brian Kelly for the outside shots. Other than that, it’ll really be between Scrap and Schiano.

3. It almost seems as if we find another athlete in trouble with the law each morning when we read the newspaper. What has gone wrong with the once pristine image of the Penn State program?

ZN: Not as much as people think. It’s not the program. The recent run-ins with the law are just exacerbated by the rest of Penn State’s problems. Face it, more college football players are getting in trouble, not just at Penn State, everywhere. Penn State is still a clean program. Arrests have not as much to do with a program’s reputation as recruiting scandals, gambling scandals and academic scandals. Penn State’s had none of them. Hey, it’s not like Joe Paterno is allowing Chris Bell to play, or Chris Baker to play until his fate is decided. Then we’d be in trouble.

4. After 14 years in the Big Ten, Penn has not dominated the conference in football as most presumed when we joined winning only 2 Big Ten titles in that span. In 1994, Joe Paterno’s undefeated Nittany Lions were also backstabbed by its Big Ten brethren when most conference members voted for Nebraska instead of Penn State. Is the Big Ten the right home for Penn State? Or would Joe Paterno’s dream of an all-eastern conference be a much more ideal conference for the Nittany Lions?

ZN: Go back to 1989, and the eastern conference would have still worked like a dream. But now, it’s nearly impossible. With the Big East on the rise, and the ACC not going anywhere, Penn State doesn’t have the pull to lure some of those teams away. Plus, it would look real bad if Penn State backed out of the Big Ten to form its own conference. We’d never hear the end of it, “PSU couldn’t hack it in the Big Ten, so it quit.”

5. With the lack of our traditional rivals in the Big Ten conference, and our unwillingness to reschedule any of them in any consistent manner, which teams are emerging as Penn State’s chief rivals in the Big Ten? (USC-Notre Dame proves that rivalries aren’t all about geographic significance.)

ZN: I would LOVE to see Penn State and Nebraska strike it up more than twice every couple years. Get them on at least every three of four years. Both programs need a boost right now, and what better way than to have a slam dunk September match up each year? I know, there are others out there like Pitt, Syracuse, Maryland, West Virginia, but Nebraska and Penn State have more national history between them. I think this would even top Penn State vs. Miami on a yearly basis, although that would be my strong No. 2. Oh, wait. That wasn’t the question. Sorry. Ohio State is becoming a marquee game. And with Penn State having a better record vs. Ohio State than Michigan since 2001, it’s been more competitive than the conference’s “big game.” I also really like what the Penn State vs. Michigan State rivalry has become.

Bonus question: Are you going to the Blue White Game?

ZN: No. I went to five straight, and it rained for three of them. Following the 2005 game, I was doused with mug from a moron in a JEEP. Then I totaled my car on Rt. 80 West a few days later when I hit an icy bridge at mile marker 190. Four other cars hit that ice and wrecked. Oddly enough, none of us hit each other. Weird. I’m rambling a lot today.

4.16.2008

2008 Big Ten Primetime Football Schedule Released

Via BigTen.org:

The Big Ten Conference office released the game times and television plans for five home football contests today to appear during prime time on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. A Big Ten contest will be featured during prime time in at least five of the nine weeks of intraconference play, including four appearances by Penn State, a pair of games for Ohio State and Wisconsin and one contest each for Illinois and Michigan.

The Big Ten home schedule will hit prime time during the opening weekend of conference action on Saturday, Sept. 27, when Penn State hosts Illinois at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. The Fighting Illini defeated the nationally-ranked Nittany Lions last season on the way to their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1984. PSU collected at least nine wins for the third straight season after winning the Valero Alamo Bowl, giving head coach Joe Paterno his NCAA-record 23rd bowl triumph.

The conference's nighttime slate continues with a pair of Wisconsin home games the following two weekends, with the Badgers hosting Ohio State on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 and Penn State on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN or ESPN2. Wisconsin is coming off a fourth straight season with at least nine wins, the longest streak of success in school history. The Buckeyes are aiming for a fourth straight Big Ten Championship and an unprecedented third consecutive outright crown after reaching the BCS National Championship game the last two seasons.

Nighttime games will continue on Oct. 18 when Penn State hosts Michigan for a 4:30 p.m. ET game to appear on ESPN or ESPN2. The Wolverines welcome new head coach Rich Rodriguez for the 2008 season after Lloyd Carr ended his time on the sidelines with a victory in the Capital One Bowl. The Big Ten's final prime-time outing on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 will feature Penn State at Ohio State on Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. ET.

The Big Ten will hold the 2008 Football Media Days and 37th annual Kickoff Luncheon on Thursday and Friday, July 24-25, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, featuring all 11 head coaches and some of the conference's top returning players. The 113th season of Big Ten football kicks off on Saturday, August 30, with 10 of 11 schools in action.

2008 BIG TEN PRIME-TIME FOOTBALL GAMES ON ABC/ESPN/ESPN2

Sept. 27 - ILLINOIS at PENN STATE, 8 p.m. ET, ABC, ESPN or ESPN2

Oct. 4 - OHIO STATE at WISCONSIN, 7 p.m. CT, ABC, ESPN or ESPN2

Oct. 11 - PENN STATE at WISCONSIN, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN or ESPN2

Oct. 18 - MICHIGAN at PENN STATE, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN or ESPN2

Oct. 25 - PENN STATE at OHIO STATE, 8 p.m. ET, ABC, ESPN or ESPN2

*I'll take a better look at this later, so stay tuned. I'll also have a take on the most recent Blue White Round Table.

4.14.2008

Moving Forward: With Lee out for 2008, NOW is it time for Penn State to panic?

All-American Sean Lee just destroyed his ACL in practice. Now he’s gone bye-bye for 2008. Although he’ll be back in 2009, this leaves a huge question mark hanging over Penn State’s outside linebacker spot. Who will fill that void? Does Penn State even have a chance now this season?

Now that the horror of Saturday night has passed, we can all take a deep breath. Not that it will help. The loss of Lee was nothing less than devastating to Penn State, not just the team, but the program as a whole. But remember, when the old farts in Old Main didn’t come up with a plan to deal with the old fart in Lasch Building, we said it wasn’t time to panic. When it seemed like Penn State football players were gaining daily recognition in the police blotters instead of the sports page, we said it wasn’t time to panic. When Chris Bell went, well, insane, we said it wasn’t time to panic. And you know what? It’s still not time to panic.

Lee’s injury was bad, but it’s not the end of the world. Why?

The Offense: No, not the offensive line, not the wide receivers, but the whole freaking unit. I don’t care when JokePa conjures up as the Spread HD crap. If this team doesn’t average 35 points per game, Penn State should just drop football altogether. When you have the best offensive line in years, a mobile quarterback to make plays when the protection (rarely) might break down, a stud running back that can break one loose any moment, and the best freaking wide receivers in the conference, you have the luxury of out-scoring the other team, if it comes to that. But it shouldn’t in 2008, because of…

The Defensive Line: This unit was the first to be hit by the injury and law bugs. But with the rest of the team’s problems, not too many people have noticed the defensive front four coming back together. Chris Baker might be gone (still not positive yet), but Phil Taylor will pay his dues, Jared Odrick and Jerome Hayes are almost done rehabbing those injuries, and the younger backups have gotten a full spring of working with the first team. This should be the conference’s best defensive line, and could actually improve on 2007’s 46 sacks. And if opposing tailbacks get through the line, or if Penn State needs extra pressure on the quarterback, there’s always…

The Backup Linebackers: It’s easy to forget how many really good linebackers Penn State has landed the last four years. Fans actually complained how many were signed, saying few would actually see the field. Well, now Penn State has a large stable of players to choose from, hopefully filling in for Lee. Nate Stupar, Cedric Jeffries, Bani Gbadyu, Andrew Dailey, and hopefully Navarro Bowman will all be ready to play on the outside. Throw in the three freshmen “Mikes”—Mike Yancich, Mike Mauti (although now he’s listed at the safety spot behind Mark Rubin) and Mike Zordich—and Penn State has possibly the best, deepest group of linebackers in the conference, if not the nation.

Don’t think I’m taking a Kool-Aid bath with this. I think Penn State is in the shit house right now, and needs to get its act together. But we all have to be as realistic about this team’s positives as we are about the negatives. There’s a load of talent heading into 2008. No one can deny that. I’m not ready to make a prediction of how many games Penn State will win, or who they’ll beat. But Penn State has a great shot to do good things in 2008, without Sean Lee, and those were just a few reasons why. So don't panic.

4.12.2008

Lee Probably Out for Season

~~God Fucking Dammit! Piece of Shit! Mother Fucker!!!!~~ Darn.

GoPSUSports.com:

"Lee Sidelined With Serious Knee Injury

Team Leader and All-America Candidate Tears ACL in Practice

April 12, 2008

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; - Penn State standout linebacker Sean Lee (Pittsburgh) suffered a serious knee injury in practice Friday that will likely sideline him for the 2008 season.

A probable 2008 All-America candidate, Lee tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, according to Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Penn State Director of Athletic Medicine. Lee will have surgery within the next 2-4 weeks and rehabilitation will take approximately nine months, according to Sebastianelli.

A rising senior, Lee played as a true freshman in 2005 and has a redshirt year available.
"I have a responsibility to the team to help do everything I can this year in what might be a non-conventional way," Lee stated. "I have to turn this into a positive. It's a bump in the road. I'm excited about the team we have and the kind of season we can have. It's a great opportunity for a young guy."

A first team Class AAAA all-state selection from Upper St. Clair High School, Lee was coming off a superlative junior season, earning 2007 first-team All-America honors from Pro Football Weekly. The vastly talented, instinctive and intelligent Lee ranked second in the Big Ten with 138 tackles last year, trailing only teammate Dan Connor, and giving Penn State just its third pair of century-busting tacklers since tackle records began being kept in 1969.

A two-time Big Ten Defensive Player-of-the-Week honoree in 2007, Lee earned second-team all-conference honors in a league that featured two of the three finalists for the Butkus Award. His 138 tackles were No. 5 on the school season list. He has 239 career stops, needing 17 to crack the school's Top 10, and with a very realistic chance of joining Connor and Paul Posluszny as the top three tacklers in program history.

Lee recorded double-figures in tackles in 10 of the last 11 games, giving him 12 in his blossoming career. An intense competitor who loves to hit, Lee also had 10.5 tackles for loss (minus-34), 3.5 sacks, forced three fumbles, recovered three fumbles and grabbed one interception. The swift and strong athlete also was second on the team with eight pass breakups. He was tied for first in the Big Ten in fumble recoveries and was tied for No. 7 in the conference in forced fumbles last year.

A starter in the last 26 games, Lee punctuated his marvelous junior season by earning 2007 Valero Alamo Bowl Defensive Player of the Game accolades. He recorded a game-high 14 tackles, tied for most in Alamo Bowl history, to lead a defensive unit that allowed Texas A&M just three points over the final 49 minutes of the game. He also had a minus-yardage hit and a pass break-up in the 24-17 victory to earn a berth on the ESPN.com All-Bowl Team.

A finance major, Lee earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honors last year and would have been a strong candidate for Academic All-America accolades this fall. He has earned Academic All-Big Ten honors twice.
Coach Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions conclude spring drills on Saturday, April 19 with the highly-anticipated Blue-White Game. As in previous years, there is no admission or parking fee for the Blue-White Game. Activities will begin on Friday at 6 p.m. with a carnival outside Beaver Stadium. On Saturday, stadium parking lots will open at 8 a.m. Stadium gates A, B and C will open at 12:00 p.m., with the popular autograph session starting at 12:30 p.m. and kickoff at 2:00 p.m. The carnival will run throughout Saturday.

The Blue-White Game will air live on the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com. The contest also will be televised on the Big Ten Network on Monday, April 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET."

4.11.2008

It's 70 degrees, cloudy, and all I want to do is watch some Penn State football

Not too long ago, I said the posting on ZN might take a dip because of the off season and how boring it can be. Well, we all know where that went. From the Tyrelle Pryor thing to Joe Paterno's contract, and Chris "Cooking Knife" Bell, we just can't stay away. I almost wish none of this were going, if for no other reason than I just want a freaking break.

But I know that will certainly not happen. No, this Paterno contract will loom dark over Penn State for the remainder of 2008. Paterno and the Nittany Lions could be standing high on the podium at the Orange Bowl, accepting the BCS National Championship Trophy in January, and the first question to come out will be, "Coach, will you step down now?" What I'm almost dreading more, is if Penn State loses a game it shouldn't, or worse, to possibly the worst Michigan team in 40 years. It will be worse than the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse riding down Mount Nittany laying slaughter to Happy Valley on their way up the hill to Old Main.

I'm not going to add anything else today. I'm basically taking off from now until Monday. I have no idea what will happen before the Blue White Game, hopefully nothing. We all just need to calm down, count back from 10 (like that actually ever works) and breathe. I might even break out the old game tapes from 2005. Just remember though, if this whole Spread HD crap works out, it will be something to take our minds off all the other bullshit being caused by Paterno and Graham Cracker Spanier.

4.10.2008

Paterno Contract Talks On Hold

Joe Paterno isn't going anywhere, for now. The AP launched this bombshell of a story today. But should we be surprised? I don't know how this will turn out. Not many people do. All I can say is I hope people will just let it go for now, and concentrate on football. Yeah, right. Click below for the full AP story.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -Contract talks with Penn State coach Joe Paterno are on hold until the end of this season, when the 81-year-old's deal expires.

Penn State president Graham Spanier told The Associated Press in an e-mail that both the school and Paterno, who is entering his record 43rd season as head coach, agree a new deal isn't necessary right now.

"We are in agreement that a contract would have little practicality given Coach Paterno's seniority. None of us see that as necessary," Spanier wrote in the e-mail Wednesday night. "Our preference is to continue to review the status of the program on an annual basis, and we will next do so at the conclusion of the 2008 season."

Administrators and Paterno have met twice recently to discuss the football program, Spanier said. The two sides typically meet each offseason, though this year's meetings are drawing more attention because of Paterno's contract.

Paterno has not sought a new deal, and the university has not offered one, Spanier said. "I wish to reiterate my continuing support for Coach Paterno," he wrote at the beginning of his e-mail.

With 372 wins, Paterno is one behind Florida State's Bobby Bowden for most among major college coaches.

Spanier praised Paterno as the "most admired and accomplished football coach in America" and said he was grateful for his leadership.

Two weeks ago, Paterno said he wasn't worried about his situation, and wasn't looking for a new contract. He said he would be comfortable going year to year.

"I don't even care if I get a contract. I'll be very frank with you," Paterno said during the spring practice news conference. "I think the university will do what they think is right, whenever the time comes. Right now, I'm very comfortable."

Paterno later added, "If I've got to have a contract to keep my job here, I'm in the wrong place." He joked he could coach "just another 10 years."

Last month, athletic director Tim Curley said there was no timetable to make decisions Paterno's future.

During a break in a university trustees meeting in January, Spanier had said he expected Paterno to coach in 2008, but that he hadn't had chance to talk to him. Spanier also then declined comment on potential succession plans for Paterno.

Since then, Spanier said, he has spoken twice with Paterno, and the idea of a succession plan had been discussed.

Late last year, Florida State signed the 78-year-old Bowden to one more year with an option for another, while also designating offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher as "head coach-in-waiting."

Purdue earlier this year also announced that newly hired associate head coach Danny Hope would succeed head coach Joe Tiller after the 2008 season.

"With regard to succession planning, I want to assure everyone that the three of us are very mindful of the importance of a smooth transition and we are very confident that will occur when we reach that point," Spanier wrote.

Spanier said he respected the plans announced by other institutions, "but we feel that each university must evaluate its own approach."

"We will be prepared when the time comes, and of course we will identify someone who would continue Penn State's values and traditions, pursuing success in a way that makes us all proud while extending the great reputation we enjoy nationally," Spanier said.

Paterno reiterated two weeks ago that he wouldn't mind seeing someone on his staff follow in his footsteps.

"Whether that's in the cards, I don't know right now. It depends on when I get out of it," Paterno said then. "If I'm going to leave tomorrow, I would hope that it's in the cards, but I'm not planning on leaving tomorrow."

Student ticket uproar, this time at Michigan

Naturally, since I'm a supporter of UPAC's proposed changes to Penn State student season ticket packages--giving priority to certain students, like seniors and those at University Park--I absolutely love that this could become precedent in the near future. The higher ups at Michigan have adopted their own changes to that university's student ticket policies. Of course, their satellite campuses are raging.

From MLive.com via MichiganSportsCenter.com:

"This is the first time I'm aware of that an official policy has made a distinction between UM students," said Wade Merrill, 29, a UM-Flint graduate student and president of the university's athletic association.

"Incoming freshmen at Ann Arbor now have more rights to see games up close than someone who has been at UM-Flint for four years. It doesn't make any sense."

Under a longtime policy, class standing determined who received the most desirable seats when purchasing UM football tickets, without regard to which UM branch the student attended.

The new policy gives top priority to Ann Arbor students, based on credit hours."

This is very similar to PSU's problem with student tickets. The only problem with Michigan's policies, is that they're ALREADY LAW. How much lower can UM get these days? Penn State only proposed the changes, not go out and make the decision behind closed doors.

"UM-Ann Arbor freshman Matt McGuffie, 18, said the new policy is fair.

"I don't know anybody from Flint or Dearborn who comes down for the games," he said. "In just talking around, the students are from Ann Arbor."

Johnson responded: "That's not true. All of my friends at UM (Flint) buy tickets and go to games every week."

Merrill, who spearheaded the protest, said a larger issue than sporting event tickets is at stake.

"It's about football, but it's also about access to university resources for all Michigan students," said Merrill, an assistant single sales copy manager at The Flint Journal."

Sound familiar? At least PSU can watch this situation closely, to get a heads up on what not-to do.

4.09.2008

Michigan's academic situation

Do football players deserve to schedule easier classes? Michigan's "General Studies" major has been the subject of scrutiny for years, now one Michigan newspaper is attacking the university head on. If this is true, and Michigan has been passing football players regardless of academic performances, what does this mean for Michigan, and the Big Ten?

Who's been saying for years now that Michigan gives its football players a free academic ride? Yes, I'm raising my hand. Actually, I'm jumping up and down waving both arms high in the air. I guess the Michigan paper which is doing the series wanted to wait until Lloyd Carr left. After all, he did manage to beat PSU for all these years.

But I just don't understand how anyone is surprised by all this. Michigan fans have buried their heads in the sand, while the rest of the conference pretty much turned a blind eye. If Michigan goes down, then what would be left? Penn State? Wisconsin? These teams are well known--PSU more so--and could garner national ratings every football week, but Penn State is not the face of the Big Ten. Wisconsin is up there, but can they be the second bell cow next to Ohio State?

I'm not accusing anyone at Michigan of doing anything, as I have no way to back it up. However, are those in Ann Arbor really that dumb to what was going on inside the football academic advising offices? I've already read on message boards, Michigan fans defending their school by saying the newspaper had no real substantial evidence to back it up. That's like saying Joe Paterno doesn't make every, single decision regarding Penn State football. It's just a fantasy.

When you have the complete support of those in power, you can get away with anything. Michigan did that. I'm sure the Big Ten and Michigan officials will deny they knew anything about this. On that, I'll call preemptive shenanigans. If the powers that be deny anything looked funny, it's a flat out lie. They're going to tell us that this didn't throw up red flags? I probably shouldn't get so worked up over this. Penn State has its own issues right now. I'm not going to pull the "well, at least..." comeback, either. The Chris Bell thing just ruined everything for PSU this spring, and unless things move forward quickly, it's not going away soon. It's nice to see the conference working hard to improve its image, from PSU players packing machetes to half the Iowa football program going to jail, and Ohio State being well, Ohio State to Michigan maintaining the academic standards of Boobie Miles. This is a bad time for the Big Ten, and it deserves every bit of it.

--On a side note, and completely unrelated to this Michigan bash fest, I found this absolutely hilarious post by one of the fine UM bloggers out there. Take a read. It's worth your time.

4.08.2008

Domers react to "PSU vs. ND 2003"