The Penn State Football Show

We all knew coming into this season that it was going to be a rebuilding year and that's exactly what I saw in Iowa City Saturday night...a team that is rebuilding and trying to find an identity. I think they will begin to figure this thing out but I dont know how long it will take. This team just needs to play some football and take some of its learning bumps and bruises as they go and I think they will be fine come 2011 and even 2012 and be the force we are all expecting.

As for the Iowa game...Iowa was and is a better team. They play solid football. Nothing flashy, nothing fancy, just good ol fashioned Big Ten football. Their defense is very good and I think their front four outshadows a secondary that is pretty good as well. I would like to see this Iowa team finally dethrone Ohio State and win the Big Ten so we can stop hearing about Ohio State's "5 straight Big Ten Titles."

That being said, I think our offense moved the ball well (301 total yards) and the play calling, for the most part, was good. Love the call on the goaline. I dont really know why they cant get into the endzone...maybe it is just a funk. Again, we put together a few solid drives and looked good offensively at times. But again, we put too much pressure on the shoulders of a young QB to constantly make big plays in a tough situation late in the game.

Regardless, I'm actually glad that Bolden and this team is getting this road experience against stout defenses in some of the toughest venues in the country. Heading into 2011 and 2012, this will only make him better and immune to it all the surrounding hype.

I dont want to use this as an excuse but the Sunday Patriot-News had this listed in the notes column. The PSU injury list...

• T Lou Eliades out (knee)
• RB Brandon Beachum out (knee)
• LB Gerald Hodges out (leg)
• TE Andrew Sczerba out (back)
• WR Curtis Drake out (leg)
• WR Christian Kuntz out (knee)
• TE Gary Gilliam left the game in 2nd quarter with an apparant ACL tear
• Not to mention...Derrick Thomas and Sean Stanley did not make the trip due to undisclosed disciplinary reasons

Imagine what this team will be capable of in the upcoming years when they get some experience and fortunate health?

Iowa has been a thorn in our sides for years, destroying dreams of national championships and knocking our basketball team out of the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately they have already lost a game so a loss here wouldn't be quite as devastating, but a Penn State win here would make this season a success. I don't remember a season when I have picked against PSU this many times, but Iowa is just a better team in so many aspects of the game. They have more experience, they don't turn the ball over, they have a terrific defense, star players that can take over a game, and we saw what they could do on special teams last year.

To keep this quick, Penn State needs to get solid play out of their offensive line. They played well last week despite giving up just their first sack of the season, but the loss of Eliades is crushing. My take on the conservative play-calling inside the red zone last week is that Penn State knew that eventually they would take over and they just wanted to get some points. Whatever. Not concerned about it. They moved the ball pretty well, but definitely need to be more consistent. This week Penn State will need all the points they can get and I expect them to open up the playbook a little more. The offensive calls against Alabama were actually pretty good so I feel confident in the coaching staff, but execution will be critical. Their redzone production has had about as much success as Drew in a dance contest against yours truly (OH!). I agree that tight ends need to be used, but Gilliam is young and I think a better option is Brackett out of his flex spot. I was excited to see Justin Brown have a big game, and I hope to see him on the field more and maybe Zug a little less. All said and done, Iowa should win this game, but Penn State certainly has the talent to win this, but they need to win the turnover battle and get pressure on Stanzi.

Got a wedding to go to tonight so I will once again be DVRing and watching later. Very excited for this one. This would be a huge win, and a great confidence booster for a young team that is still looking for an identity.

The magical time is now upon us with games that actually matter, leaving behind the jabronies that occupy the cannon fodder schools of Temple, Kent State, and Youngstown. Bring on the good stuff.

After the Bama game, I feel like these "tweener" games are mostly irrelevant and simply preparation for the Big Ten schedule. However, this team needs these games to work out some kinks and get things rolling for next weekend, and that's why I watch! Here are a few things I am looking for in tomorrows game...

• True, the offensive line has not allowed a sack thus far. I think that is mostly due to the fact that Bolden does not hold onto the ball as long as guys like Clark and Morrelli did. Still, it's a feather in their caps. I do, however, want to see better run blocking from this group. They still struggle getting to the second level at times.
• Less of Chaz Powell at WR and more of Justin Brown. I thought they move Powell to defense anyway?
• Bolden looks good so far in most areas, but I think he needs to learn how to scramble out of the pocket and buy some time for the receivers. He has quick feet and throws well on the run. This will only make him more dangerous as his throwing time will begin to decrease in the Big Ten.
• More quick slant plays to Moye-Zug-Brackett. The thing that makes this work is Bolden's quick release. Cant be stopped in man coverage.
• Was last week a coming out party for DE Pete Massarro? Look for him to be on the field more this week.

I dont think Temple is good enough to beat Penn State but its good to see them progressing and becomming more of a force at the D-1A level.

Impressive stat: Penn State is the only team in the entire country that has not allowed a sack this year.

I'm hoping this is the game Royster breaks out of whatever physical, mental, and emotional slump he's in and returns to form. Otherwise I think we have a situation on our hands. Hammering out our running game and run blocking would give me a lot of confidence heading in to Iowa for the Big Ten opener. As an aside, one of the project managers for a subcontractor on our job went to Nebraska. My hatred for Nebraska has now been refreshed.

I think Temple is coming into this game confident they have a good shot to win it. Temple is MUCH better than they have been. That's because they have always been lousy. Now they are finally decent. While I do think they have a shot to win this game, I just don't think they match up very well against Penn State.

Temple's strength is their running back. And traditionally, as long as your name is not Trent Richardson, Penn State is pretty stout at defending the run. So I think Temple will have a hard time putting points on the board.

But I do think Temple will come in with a lot of energy and a lot of confidence. If the ball bounces their way a few times, you never know what could happen. Their head coach, offensive and defensive coordinators all played for Joe. Let's face it, Joe can be very predictable, so that is something to worry about. Although this year so far, Penn State has not been its old predictable self (Starting a true frosh QB, playcalling against Alabama). So you never know.

I'm excited to see a good test for the team. We should learn a lot about them tomorrow. Penn State needs to establish a ground game in this one. I say they win, but not a blowout.