Fix the Fan Line

Penn State 46

Michigan 17

“If you look at all the fluff that Joe Paterno has on the schedule, it’s pretty hard not to have a decent season. Even though they will lose to Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin, his schedule is set up for a bowl game.” - August 31, 2008

Two down.

“For a team that was No. 1 in defense and offense in its division, Penn State lost the first half hands down. In fact, the way they played, they would have been taken to the cleaners by a lot of teams.” - October 20, 2008

Lost the first half, hands down…. by a final score of 17-14.  Penn State still ranks #8 in the country (#1 in the Big 10) in defensive yards-per-game.  Penn State still ranks #11 in the country (#2 in the Big 10) in offensive yards per game.

“I’m a Penn State fan but Ohio State’s offensive and defensive lines could be the difference in next week’s game. Michigan dominated the line of scrimmage for half of the game and they’re not nearly the team Ohio State is.” - October 20, 2008

Michigan did not dominate the line of scrimmage for half of the game.  Starting with 13 minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter, Michigan rushed for a total of 92 yards.  47 of those yards came in the final 2 minutes of the game, with score well out-of-reach for Michigan at 46-17.  Michigan was also sacked three times in that time frame, once for a safety.

“I’m watching the Penn State-Michigan game. Looks like Michigan left at halftime. That’s why Penn State is winning.” - October 20, 2008

Who told them to leave?  I’m aware that Rich Rodriguez has a bit of a history of calling it quits before the fat lady sings, but even he should know that games are 60 minutes long.

“Penn State is undefeated and still has not beaten a team currently ranked in the top 25. In fact, I wonder if any of the teams they’ve beaten have a winning record at this point. Don’t go beating your chests, Nittany Lions fans.” - October 20, 2008

Illinois is 4-3.  Oregon State is 4-3.  Three of Penn State’s last four games are against teams with the following records: 7-1, 5-3, and 6-2.

“Yes, Penn State fans. Whether you want to admit it or not, but the Big Ten is down this year. Penn State has a good team, but not a great team. You will find that out when you play teams outside the Big Ten.” - October 19, 2008

There aren’t too many opportunities for that, now are there?  At this point in the season, bowl games are the only non-conference games that remain.  Joe Paterno is a record 23-12-1 in bowl games.

Penn State 48

Wisconsin 7

First, for good measure…

“Nearly every game Penn State has lost the last few years can be traced to the fact that its offensive line got pushed around. Just wait until Penn State travels to Ohio State and Wisconsin this year. Both of those games will be decided by the offensive line, and you can guess which one will come out ahead.” - July 1, 2008

Hmm, let me guess.

“If you look at all the fluff that Joe Paterno has on the schedule, it’s pretty hard not to have a decent season. Even though they will lose to Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin, his schedule is set up for a bowl game.” - August 31, 2008

One down.

“Penn State’s weak nonconference schedule coinciding with a weak Big Ten guarantees them eight or nine wins. Unfortunately, they will lose to Ohio State and Wisconsin and be left playing in a bowl game that means nothing.” - September 9, 2008

Unfortunately, you’re wrong.

“With the exception of possibly Wisconsin, the Big Ten does not have a legitimate top 25 team.” - September 15, 2008

So, Wisconsin is “legitimate,” right?  See below.

“Play someone, guys. Your time is coming. You play Wisconsin [tonight] and Ohio State later on. You shouldn’t have to wait until the middle of the season to play someone.” - October 11, 2008

So, Wisconsin is “someone,” right?  See below.

“How did Penn State get in the Top 25? They haven’t played anybody with a winning record.” - October 11, 2008

At the time of this call, Illinois was 3-2.  Now they’re 3-3.  For what it’s worth, Coastal Carolina was 3-2 at the time of this call.  Now they’re 3-3.

“Army, Navy, Air Force and Appalachian State could probably beat half of the teams on Penn State’s schedule.” - October 11, 2008

Temple 35 - Army 7

“I’ve been watching these college football games today and I would like to know how these announcers can say Penn State is the team to beat in the Big Ten when Penn State hasn’t played anybody who is ranked. How in the world can you get the rankings these guys get? They haven’t played anybody.” - October 12, 2008

See how teams rise in polls.

“Good job, Penn State, on the win. But, once again, this shows how weak the Big Ten is. The Big 12, by far, is the best conference in college football.” - October 12, 2008

A few weeks ago it was the SEC.  What happened?  Remember that many Big 12 teams still have pretty records because the Big 12 just started their conference schedule last week, while the SEC teams have been beating up on each other for 3 weeks now.

Hello, Penn State fans. Don’t get excited about beating Wisconsin because Wisconsin won’t be ranked again. There will be one ranked Big Ten team besides Penn State and that will be Ohio State. Illinois? Real tough game. They lost to Minnesota. The Big Ten is the weakest conference outside the Sun Belt that I’ve seen. - October 12, 2008

How about the Pac 10, Big East, and ACC?

Next weekend, Michigan travels to State College.  But “don’t get too excited Penn State fans.”  Michigan is just another cupcake, and the Big Ten is horrible, and just wait until they play Ohio State, and Wisconsin and Illinois were terrible opponents, and Joe Paterno isn’t even coaching so it doesn’t matter that he’s in the press box, and there’s no reason that Penn State should be ranked in the Top 5, and the SEC and Big 12 are awesome, and why isn’t BYU ranked #1 anyways?  So, don’t get too excited Penn State fans.

“Michigan may not have a great offense, but they still have a good defense. Penn State will have their hands full with them, not to mention the last nine times PSU has played Michigan.” - October 7, 2008

Really?  Michigan certainly had no answer for Juice Williams last weekend.  The Illini quaterback threw for 310 yards and ran for 121 more, as Illinois scored 45 points on the Wolverines.

Through 5 games, the Wolverines have given up 1738 yards and 136 points.  This currently ranks the Michigan defense at #59 in the country.

Where does Penn State stack up?  1502 yards and 70 points in 6 games.  This ranks the Nittany Lion defense at #8 in the country.

“Isn’t it ironic that Penn State is ranked No. 6 and hasn’t beaten a ranked team of any decency? ” - September 30, 2008

“Mr. Play-it-Safe was afraid to fly…” - You’re having as much trouble with irony as Alanis Morissette.

To be honest, I see nothing ironic about it.  If you choose to completely discount PSU’s wins over Oregon State and Illinois, then you might find Penn State’s #6 ranking undeserved or inappropriate, but certainly not ironic.  I find it more ironic that Penn State’s two best wins, over teams that you consider indecent, have combined to:

a) defeat a team previously ranked #1 in the country, and

b) be the most decent team that #4 ranked Missouri has defeated in 2008 (a 10-point game).

“I cannot understand how Penn State jumped up to No. 6 after playing four cream puffs.” - September 30, 2008

Both Illinois and Oregon State are currently receiving votes in both the AP and USA Today polls.

Apparently, cream puff is the new cupcake.  The concept of polls and the ways in which teams can move up/down in polls is a difficult one for many of you to grasp.  I’ve tried to simplify this concept here.  Penn State was ranked #12 prior to the Illinois game and moved ahead of: USC, Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin, Brigham Young, and Texas Tech.  Four of those teams lost last weekend.  As I mentioned in Poll-Jumping 101, teams generally move down in the polls when they lose.  I also mentioned that teams can move up in the polls following impressive victories.  Penn State’s win over Illinois was impressive enough for voters to place them ahead of Brigham Young and Texas Tech.

“I’ll bet you if Penn State beats Illinois by a higher score, USC will still be ranked higher than Penn State. That tells you how much the pollsters know.” - September 27, 2008

Here’s a question.  If Penn State would have beaten Illinois by a lower score, would have they actually won?

The new polls are out, and apparently you don’t know as much about the pollsters as you think.  The Nittany Lions are ranked #6, and the Trojans are ranked #9.

“Keep the faith, Ohio State fans, Terrelle Pryor will get a lot of playing time. There is nobody else on their schedule and there will be plenty of blowouts.” - September 17, 2008

First, it was reported today that Terrelle Pryor will be competing for the starting QB job.  Pryor played a significant role in the Buckeyes’ game against USC (even before it was a blowout), so even if Boeckman remains the starter, it appears as though Pryor will get significant playing time… not just mop-up duties.

Secondly, Ohio State still has three teams in the Top 25 on their schedule: Wisconsin, Penn State, and Illinois.  Each should present challenges to the Buckeyes.  As I’ve said before, the Buckeyes are not immune to surprising defeats.  7-3 Illinois came into Columbus last year and knocked off the undefeated Buckeyes.

Finally, don’t you think it’s possible that this year’s Ohio State team is severely overrated?  If not overrated, completely dependent on Beanie Wells?  I’m very unimpressed with:

Ohio State 43 - Youngstown State 0

Ohio State 26 - Ohio 14

USC 35 - Ohio State 3

Ohio State may have a lot more to worry about this season than how much “blowout” time Terrelle Pryor receives.