The Penn State Football Show

http://cfn.scout.com/2/815076.html

He pretty much says what I said about PSU not getting enough mentioned for National Championship consideration... only in much fewer words.

Also, a record 4 Nittany Lions were selected by ESPN the Magazine as Academic All-Americans, and another as a second teamer.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/psu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/08-americans.pdf

One thing that stood out to me, was Tyler Roehl from North Dakota State who majored in Physical Education and only had a GPA of 3.38. A) That means he got many B's in Phys. Ed classes. B) How does that qualify him as a first team Academic All-American? The answer is that there are really no other qualified candidates since they organize this by position, and running backs are apparently the densest of the lot.

Also notable, Mark Rubin made first team DB, but Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle was delegated to second team. Makes you wonder how smart he actually is...

http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112408aag.html

In case you missed it, the All Big Ten Teams and individual honors were announced last night on the Big Ten Network. I was very pleased with the results, as Penn State was heavily involved in these honors. The two most distinguished awards received by Penn Staters were Big Ten Coach of the year (Joe Paterno) and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the year (AQ Shipley).

Shipley has had an awesome career for Penn State, starting at center for three years. He came in as a highly recruited prospect out of Moon, PA. and he certainly lived up to expectations. I don’t know how much his height will affect his draft status and his performance in the NFL, but I expect him to have a future at the next level. The entire offensive line was incredible for most of the year (up until Ohio State and Iowa), and they were awarded with three first team All Big Ten selections in Shipley, Orhenberger, and Cadogan. I believe all three players definitely deserved these awards. In fact I was kind of surprised Wisniewski didn’t make the first team, but he was named to the second team as only a sophomore, and will have two more cracks at it.

For the rest of the offense, first teamers included Darryl Clark at QB, Derrick Williams at WR. I’m very glad that Clark was named to the first team by both the coaches and the media, because he definitely deserved it. He was without a doubt the best quarterback in the Big Ten this year, even with his drop off late in the year. He exceeded all expectations. I had heard mentions of it going to Juice Williams, and that would have just been ridiculous.

As for Williams, I was surprised he got first team (he was second team for the media picks). But, the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. His stats as a receiver certainly don’t justify him being listed as one of the top two wideouts in the conference, but you have to look at the whole picture. First of all, Penn State had three great wide receivers this year, so the ball is going to get spread around pretty evenly, and his stats will be lower as a result. Secondly, you have to consider everything else he brings to the table. He had a great year on special teams, returning both punts and kicks. Also, he lined up as wide receiver, quarterback, and running back, doing everything from catching the ball to running the ball and passing the ball. He also is a tremendous downfield blocker. With all of these things taken into account, the pick makes a lot more sense.

One defense Maybin was an obvious selection for first team. Also on the defensive line, Odrick was a first teamer with the coaches and second teamer with the media. I was very glad to see this because he has been perhaps our best defensive player for the second half of the season and he goes widely unnoticed. He has been dominant lately and has really worked his way into being a dominant starter in the Big Ten. I knew he deserved this recognition but wasn’t sure if he would actually get it. I’m glad he did. I’m also glad he will be back next year. I expect Penn State to have the best defensive front seven in the ENTIRE COUNTRY next season. They only lose Josh Gaines, and get back Sean Lee, Devon Still, and Jerome Hayes from injury. Think about this line: Maybin, Ogbu, Koroma, Odrick, Evans, Hayes, Still. Then to the linebackers: Bowman, Lee, Mauti, Yancich, Stupar, Gbadu, Hull. There can’t possibly be a better combination of talent and experience anywhere else.

Among linebackers, Navarro Bowman was named to both first team lists, and I agree with this selection. I’m glad to see he got the credit he deserved. He had a great year and will only get better.

In the secondary, Scirotto was a first teamer and second teamer. I don’t really agree with this. I didn’t think he had a very good year. In my opinion, he really tailed off after his impressive sophomore season.

Other players receiving second team selections included Evan Royster and Deon Butler. Royster was our best offensive weapon all year and in my opinion could have and should have been used even more. He will have two more years to shine before leaving Penn State as the most prolific rusher in Penn State history. Butler had another great year to end a very remarkable and improbable career at Penn State.

Many more Penn State players received honorable mention. The one I was happiest about was Tony Davis. Another player that largely goes unnoticed but had a very solid career for Penn State. I’m glad to see him get some credit.

As for other teams, I agree with the pick of Shonn Green for offensive player of the year. I was hoping to see Maybin get defensive player or at least defensive lineman of the year, but those went to James Laurinaitis and Mitch King respectively. Maybin will have another two years to try and garner these accolades.

Other players to note: Eric Decker – WR Minnesota. I know Penn State didn’t play them this year, but I saw some of their games, and this kid is the real deal. He is a great wide receiver, and I’m glad he was awarded for his incredible season.

I have lots of thoughts to share on various subjects ranging from the BCS to the All Big Ten team. I guess I should start with the hot topic... the BCS.

I will preface my opinion by stating the following: You will NOT hear me cry/argue/complain that Penn State should be in the national championship game this season. The way I see it, Penn State had an inside track to the championship game, they controlled their own destiny and had three very winnable games left, and they blew it. A lot of people are starting to complain that Penn State is not being mentioned as a possible candidate for the championship, and while they do bring up some valid points, all the Lions had to do was take care of their own games and they could have avoided any controversies and gotten in without any problems. Since they failed to do this, they have no right to complain about whatever fate is decided for them.

With all of that being said, there are some aspects of the current BCS standings that I have major problems with. I was happy to see Penn State jump Texas Tech and Utah in the AP and Coaches Poll after their impressive performance over Michigan State. Then, I was both shocked and upset when I saw that they were still behind both teams in the BCS standings -- the only rankings that really matter at this point. Texas Tech just got absolutely embarassed by Oklahoma. They lost 65-21. I was watching the game and could not help but feel sorry for the Texas Tech coaches and players, there was absolutely nothing they could do to stop the Sooners. Comparatively, Penn State's only loss was by one on a last second field goal in difficult playing conditions to a good team. There is no way anyone can justify putting a team in the National Championship game just three weeks after they got demolished 65-21 in a prime time game in front of the entire country.

Now some of you may be reading this wondering why I'm even talking about the national championship. It's already been decided that PSU is going to the Rose Bowl, right? Wrong. While there are a lot of unlikely things would have to happen, it is not completely out of the question... at least it wasn't when Saturday ended. When the BCS standings came out on Sunday and PSU was somewhow still at #8, that most likely ended any chance PSU had of going to the National Championship- which is why I was so upset with the standings.

But looking at the top ranked teams, Alabama has their biggest rival this weekend in Auburn. While Auburn has been struggling this year, they once again have one of the top defenses in the country, and as a result, play almost everyone close. And you know they will be up for a game against Alabama, especially an Alabama team that is undefeated and ranked #1. I expect this game to be close, and if the ball bounces the wrong way, Alabama could easily lose this game. If they win, they still have Florida in the SEC Championship - so we know one of those two will lose a game. Speaking of Florida, they also have a tough game before the SEC championship, they face a Florida State team that has a very strong defense and could still win the ACC. If they are looking ahead to Alabama, they could lose to FSU.

In the Big 12, Oklahoma could lose to Oklahoma State this weekend. Oklahoma State beat Missouri on the road and nearly brought down the Longhorns when Texas was ranked number one. Coming off of such a dominant performance, I would not be surprised to see Oklahoma fall to State this weekend. Also, keep in mind that given the current craziness going on in the Big 12 South, Oklahoma is going into this game with the inention of not only winning, but winning big so they can pick up some style points. If they get off toa bad start, things could beging to unravel when it becomes apparant that they won't win it by as many as they had hoped. That's always a contributor for a let-down.

Another monkey wrench that could be thrown into the mix is if Missouri ends up beating the Big 12 South Representative in the Big 12 Championship Game. If this happens, it would give the Big 12 South Winner (Texas, Oklahoma, or Texas Tech) two losses, and effectively take them out of consideration. There are many people who argue that a team should not be able to play for the National Championship if they don't even win their own conference. I don't personally agree with this argument, but enough people do that it would be very controversial if it came down to this. Especially after Nebraska sneaked into the championship game and got blown out after not even playing in the Big 12 Championship. So, if this arguemtn gets enough backing, it would eliminate not only the Big 12 South Winner, but also the other two teams that don't win the Big 12 South. Likewise, if Oregon State wins this weekend, that would mean USC would not win its conference, and these voters who stick to their beliefs would also refuse to vote in USC.

This has led me on a tangent that doesn't even involve Penn State, but it is so interesting that I have to bring it up. In my opinoin if the following situation arises, it will create such an enormous controversy, it would effectively mark the inevitable end of the BCS:

Say Okahoma State beats Oklahoma this weekend. Then the Big 12 South winner would be Texas Tech, since they'd be tied with Texas but they beat them head to head. So Texas Tech would go to the Big 12 Championship Game, but would still be ranked below Texas. Even if they beat Missouri in that game, it is unlikely that would jump all the way from 7 to 2 over Texas, just a few weeks after that terrible loss. So Texas, sitting at #2 behind the Florida Alabama winner, would go to the national championship game over Texas Tech despite losing to Tech head to head and the not even winning their Conference (not even winning their division of their conference). Texas Tech would have a lot to scream about in this case, and I'm kind of hoping it happens just to see how it plays out.

Back to the Lions:

Once again, I'm not saying Penn State belongs in the championship game, because if they really wanted to be there, all they had to do was win their games and we wouldn't be talking about this right now. But, if Alabama does lose, then there are a bunch of one loss teams all deserving of a shot, and I think Penn State has as good of a team as any of them.

Florida's loss by one to Ole Miss is very comparable to PSU's only loss of the season. So, the only thing Florida has over PSU is that the SEC is better than the Big Ten, so they have more impressive wins. I will not argue against that, becaus I agree their schedule was tougher than Penn States. But, at the same time, it's not PSU's fault that the Big Ten is down this year. It's not Penn State's fault that Ohio State has gotten dominated in the National Championship the last two years (which I don't think should be used as reason to keep PSU out, even though it is being used that way.) So there isn't anything more that Penn State could have done this year to make themselves more deserving than Florida. (Except beat Iowa). All of their wins outside of Ohio State came by 14 points or more.

USC lost to an Oregon State team that Penn State dismantled 45-14. Beyond that, they have won all of their games in the Pac 10. I will not try to say the Big Ten is tough this year. It is not. There is no way to deny that. And that is what is hurting Penn State. But, I definitely don't think the Pac 10 is any better than the Big Ten. In fact, it is worse. So, in my opinion, Penn State is more deserving to go than USC, since they have comparible schedules and Penn State is 2-0 vs. common opponenets while USC is 1-1.

Wow. I'm exhausted. I just laid out many various scenarios that could arise within the BCS over the next few weeks. Some if it may have been hard to follow. It's a very complex process. The bottom line is there are many deserving teams and only two will get to go. It will be very interesting to see what happens.

I intended to talk about the All Big Ten Teams which were announced tonight, but I no longer have the energy. I will mention that they were completely dominated by Penn State on both sides of the ball, and it was very nice to see. I will write about that tomorrow.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/columnists/la-sp-plaschke21-2008nov21,1,4778523.column?page=2

Looks like Penn State is not enough competition for USC.