The Penn State Football Show

I'm not talking about the delicious energy drink/alcoholic beverage (greatest invention in last 10 years), I'm talking about someone or something to ignite this dormant Penn State football team. All season this team has yet to put together a complete well played, inspired football game. Things have been out of sync at some point in every game, and not just the execution, but the playcalling as well. Last year, coming off of a sluggish game against Indiana, Penn State responded with a full throttle hottel (where art thou?) of the Spartans. An absolute thrashing in a game that had both teams vying for the Big Ten crown. In snowy 20 degree weather, Daryll Clark played his best game as a Nittany Lion, and I lost my license after doing crowd pushups. This year's team has few leaders, with much of the burden of carrying the team resting on Clark. In 2008, Butler, Williams, Norwood, Shipley, and even guys like Maybin helped to lead the team. Many of you have probably seen the video of Butler pumping his teammates up before the Ohio State game, and we were all witness to the emotion and energy with which Maybin played. Now as the regular season comes to a close, the Nittany Lions still search for new faces to emerge and help lead this team.

With so many young players stepping into new roles, this deficit of leadership is not unexpected, and on Saturday we will see true freshman Curtis Drake make a start at wide receiver in place of the injured Chaz Powell. This young man has proven himself over the course of the season and has a chance to turn some heads. He is an electric player and more of a natural receiver than Powell, who was originally recruited as a defensive back (where in my opinion, he may be more useful in the coming seasons with all the WR depth on the team). Don't be surprised to see some wildcat out of the Lions this week, especially with Drake, who was playing quarterback for his high school team last year. In addition, I was also pleased to see that Newsome came into the Indiana game to run a QB draw. Although the play resulted in a loss of yards, it illustrates the coaching staff's desire to spark something. Newsome is a better running threat than Clark, and I'd like to see him used the way Clark was used in the Alamo bowl in 2007.

A few other notes:
The loss of Beachum stings. We were all big fans of his, and unfortunately a freak play injured him and he will be out for 9 months. If Royster goes pro, which I personally don't think he should (I don't see him being a very effective NFL back despite what the "experts" say), it leaves Penn State with Stephfon Green, a rehabbed Beachum, the mystery man Brent Carter, redshirt freshman Curtis Dukes, and incoming Connecticut native Silas Redd. Very inexperienced group with no "feature" back. I can see Dukes being a future starter with his size (supposedly runs around a 4.5 and weighs in at 230-240 pounds). This questionable depth may entice Marcus Lattimore of South Carolina to sign with Penn State. This would be a big pickup.

Seriously, just put Justin Brown back for punts. He can catch...but surprise surprise he can also run.

Hopefully Devon Smith has been going to class. I'd like to see him back in the kick return game or running some reverses. He can fly.

I will post another short pregame rant tomorrow with my official predictions, and ALSO look out for the first ever Penn State Football Show video post where I will breakdown my "What To Watch For" segment. I'm going Adam Rittenberg style except I'm way less creepy!