The Penn State Football Show

That sound you just heard was all the Penn State naysayers and critics, some of which are relative to this blog, slowly prying their feet out of their mouths. Once again, Penn State defies all odds and proves everybody WRONG, just like they have continued to do over the past several years. Pretty soon, all the Monday-Morning-Quarterbacks will have to dig deep to find any relevant statistics that will predict a Penn State demise, because this team seems to overcome 95% of the ridiculous challenges everyone throws at them. I just get sick and tired of the hometown media, a group who is supposed to support and favor this team, set these guys up for failure just so they can say, "See, I told you so" in the end.

As for this game itself...I will have to disagree with you guys and say that last year's win at Ohio State was the most gratifying victory for me as a Penn State fan; right behind OSU in 2005. Maybe it's because I hate how Ohio State is somehow the poster child for the Big Ten; Maybe it's because I think Terelle Pryor is a whiny thug; Maybe it's because I think Tressel is a little weasel; Maybe it's because I live in Ohio and have to deal with the extremely obnoxious Ohio State fans on a daily basis...I don't know. Nevertheless, this win at Michigan ranks up there with some of the big ones. I felt that last season's win over Michigan, although it did end the Michigan (or Lloyd Carr) curse, was expected...Michigan was in a rebuilding phase and severely lacked talent. We were rolling and the only thing that could get in our way was a nerdy soccer player from the cornbelts of Iowa. But, this season is a different story. Rich-Rod is beginning to put his pieces in place, Michigan has won some big games, and everyone, including Kirk Herbstriet (who I think is by far the most credible college football analyst on the planet), was writing us off. I was very nervous going into this game. I guess I was buying into the nonsense. So, to go up to the big house and put a hurting on those guys was a great feeling!

Specific Game Thoughts...

• I have to attribute a lot of the success in this game, especially offensively, to the coaching staff. The coaches saw the weakness and overmatches in the Michigan secondary and exploited them. In fact, two of Zug's TD catches were the exact same play...Michigan just couldn't stop it. I also like the little swing passes to Moye when they realized their corners were playing 8-10 yards off the line. Would like to see this more with Chaz Powell.
• Gotta tip your hats to the Offensive Line. Good job in pass protection. Run blocking was OK. Despite what others may say, I thought Poti did a good job keeping DE Brandon Graham in check. He did have a few TFL's and a sack but a good DE will do that. Graham didn't seem to be a factor in pass rush like those two gorillas from Iowa were.
• Daryll Clark is a very good QB. He's an intense competitor, a great leader, he has excellent poise and confidence in tough situations, and he is a very efficient passer. He has passed nearly all of the tests team's have thrown at him, and, really, the only BAD game of his career was this year against IOWA. He is now 18-3 as a starter and potentially could lead PSU to two consecutive BCS bowls. He has won on the road, he has won in sloppy conditions, he has played a few series with a concussion, and his arms are bigger than Navorro Bowman's. Furthermore, I think they way he has complemented the transition of the WR corp gets overlooked. It is not easy for the QB-WR unit to synchronize immediately and play as a cohesive unit. Clark has made sure this is not the case. I think a lot of the success of the WR's has to go to DC17. Remember, Williams-Butler-Norwood put up better numbers with Clark than with Morelli. Not that he will or should win the award, but I think it's time we start putting Daryll Clark's name on the Heisman watch list. What more does he have to do?
• Tate Forcier is NOT a good QB. This kid has some raw talent and will probably be pretty good before its all said and done, but, as for now, he lacks many of the QB intangibles. I hate to play this card but...he looks like a True Freshman in every meaning of the phrase. He makes poor decisions, he rushes throws, he doesn't have command of the offense. After the first Michigan drive, it looked like their offense had no organization and synchronization. He was essentially playing backyard football out there, throwing passes up for grabs and running around senselessly. Probably should have had 4 or 5 picks if Nick Sukay and Bani Gdadyu didn't have K-Y Jelly caked all over their hands.
• Something needs to be done about the 10 guys on the punt team NOT named Boone. Too many times this year he is punting the ball with opposing players diving at his feet. I hope his Big Ten Special Teams awards come attached with special invitations to the Academy Awards, because he has drawn a a number of flags for his theatrics (I hate the "Running into the Kicker" penalty no matter what side I'm on). The results are too close for comfort.
• I SPY...Navorro Bowman. Not that this is any earth shattering observation, but I feel it necessary to make note of his recent production. This kid is an absolute warrior at OLB; ranks up there with the best at LB-U. I think he has been overshadowed a little bit of late with all the concern over Sean Lee and his weekly status. Regardless, Bowman is always around the ball and it seems like opposing Offensive Linemen rarely get a body on him on run blocks. He is a beast in the open field. If he gets moving laterally and lines up a ball carrier...watch out because he's not gonna miss! Not sure if anybody noticed but he was about 6 inches away from tackling Brandon Minor in the backfield on his TD run. Make sure you get a good look at #11 the next few games because, although I hate to admit it, he will be NFL bound in the spring.
• Often, I don't like how Joe answers some of the media's questions. From a motivational standpoint, I feel like he can be detrimental to his team when he says things like, "I'm not really sure how good we are." But I like what he said following this game..."I have been telling these guys for a few weeks now that they are a good team...they just have to go out there and show everybody." Atta boy Joe!

Win out and a BCS bowl is very likely. An Iowa loss could create one of those interesting situations where, technically, they would be the Big Ten Champ, but we would be ranked higher in the BCS standings...further proving the point that its better to lose early than late.

On an unrelated note...did anybody see Gameday Saturday morning? Gotta give a shout out to Lee Corso for his prediction of the Arkansas-Mississippi game. When doing the final run-down and game prediction segment, Corso said, "Arkansas shot their wad last week against Florida...I'm going with Ole Miss!" Good stuff Lee!

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