Oct 31
2008
admin| Category: Penn State Football |
“Penn State’s No. 3 ranking is completely bogus. They have played no one, and the Big Ten is one of the weakest conferences in college football.” - October 31, 2008
Here were my predictions for key arguments from the Fan Line following Penn State’s win over Ohio State.
“The Big Ten is still super-weak this year. Penn State got lucky that Pryor fumbled. How can Penn State be ranked #3 when they haven’t played anybody respectable other than Ohio State? Ohio State is just another cupcake. Paterno is a manager, not a coach.”
This call covers two of my predictions. I had a hunch that Ohio State would qualify as another “nobody.”
As far as strength of conferences, don’t let ESPN brainwash you too much. The Big 10 is actually one of the strongest conferences in college football. I calculate it as 3rd strongest.
Big 12 - 5 teams in the Top 25. 4 of them ranked in the Top 10.
SEC - 4 teams in the Top 25. 3 of them ranked in the Top 10.
Big 10 - 4 teams in the Top 25. 1 ranked in the Top 10.
ACC - 3 - teams ranked in the Top 25. Florida State leads the charge at #16.
Mountain West - 3 teams ranked in the Top 25 (Utah, TCU, and BYU)
Pac 10 - 2 teams ranked in the Top 25. USC is ranked #7. Otherwise, this is an empty conference this year.
Big East - South Florida is the only ranked team (#24), and they’ll be exiting the polls next week. The UConn/West Virginia winner should enter the Top 25, and Cincinnati may have a shot, and Pitt could have a shot with a win over Notre Dame.
WAC - Boise State is coasting through the WAC. Only their game against Fresno State will stop them from running the table.
Mid American - Ball State is coasting through the MAC. Only their game against Central Michigan will stop them from running the table.
CUSA - Tulsa is still undefeated in Conference USA. Can they survive Arkansas this weekend?
Oct 28
2008
admin| Category: Penn State Football |
“This Ohio State-Penn State game is one of the most boring I have ever seen” - October 27, 2008
Saturday night’s game was a great football game between two of the Top 10 teams in the country. Defense is the reason that you didn’t enjoy the game. Go back to watching the Big 12 if you don’t like it.
“Let’s tell it like it is — it took a fumble by a rookie quarterback and two penalties for Penn State to squeak by Ohio State.” - October 27, 2008
Okay. What’s your point? According to Jim Tressel, Terrelle Pryor is Ohio State’s best quarterback, so he’s that quartback that was used. Penn State forced Pryor to fumble in the fourth quarter, and the fumble turned out to be a turning point in the game. Turnovers and penalties are a part of every football game, and they’re often difference-makers in close games. Thanks for your analysis.
Sep 17
2008
admin| Category: College Football (Non PSU/Pitt) |
“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.
Sep 10
2008
admin| Category: College Football (Non PSU/Pitt) |
“I’m sure glad Penn State has Darryll Clark at quarterback instead of Terrelle Pryor. What did Pryor do against Ohio? Nothing. Boy, is USC going to lay one on the Buckeyes.” - September 10, 2008
You’ve gotta keep the apples with the apples. Ohio State is sure glad that they have Todd Boeckman at (starting) quarterback instead of Terrelle Pryor. Pryor is a true-freshman serving as a backup quarterback, and the Buckeyes have been giving him some looks early this season to get him acclimated to college football.
I would imagine that you’ll see less of Pryor as the competition picks up this season, but he’ll be the leading candidate for the starting job once Boeckman graduates after this season.
Sep 07
2008
admin| Category: College Football (Non PSU/Pitt), Penn State Football |
“I was just watching the replay of the Ohio State game on the Big Ten Network and I saw Terrelle Pryor scoring a touchdown. It’s a shame he went to Ohio State. They work their guys like dogs. He could’ve gone to Penn State and rested.” - September 5, 2008
If “working like dogs” includes playing Beanie Wells in the 3rd quarter against Youngstown State while leading 26-0, we all know how well that turned out.
Terrelle Pryor did receive playing time in Ohio State’s first two games this season, but this is an outdated argument. Although Joe Paterno historically had a rule against playing freshmen, more recently Paterno has shown that he is willing to play (and even start) freshmen, as long as they possess sufficient talent and preparation.
When Derrick Williams and Justin King arrived on campus in 2005, they each received significant playing time. Pryor would have played (in some capacity) for Penn State too.
