Carroll H. Cook spent about an hour yesterday badmouthing Penn State’s schedule which sadly, is nothing we haven’t done. Occasionally, he answered a question without resorting to that rhetoric.
Joe: Beano, Whats Penn State’s problem? I know you hate them and all, but what needs to happen for them to get out of the second tier of the big 10?
SportsNation Beano Cook: I do not hate Penn State, let’s get that straight. And I do not have an answer for them. They get material, but the big difference, is that since they have joined the Big Ten they are playing other big state universities that can put students in very easy classroom programs.
While the Big11Ten is tougher than their independent days, I think the problems aren’t the conference, but the way the program is being run. At least the offensive line is improving.
Bill ( Sydney, Australia ): Does JoePa passes Bobby Bowden by the end of this season?
SportsNation Beano Cook: He is now 1 game behind, and assuming both will be in bowl games, I think he will eventually overtake Bowden. But the only reason I think JoePa will eventually overcome Bowden is because Penn State plays an easy non-conference schedule.
I think Paterno never feel behind Bowden and his Samford wins, but the NCAA does so look for Paterno to take back his all-time lead. I think it has more to do with Paterno being a better coach right now and really, over time with Bowden. I think JoePa is 8-1 over Bowden.
Keith(Columbus): Beano, Will Notre Dame and Ohio State ever meet in the reg. season again. I know when they sign a long term deal with Mich, this hurt the chances. I doubt. N.D. would want to play both in the same year.
SportsNation Beano Cook: I don’t think either team wants to play, but I think ND would play OSU before OSU would play ND. Ohio State and Penn State just do not want to play tough non-conference games.
This is an odd statement coming given that Penn State and Notre Dame just played a home-and-home.
Marc (Philly): Dont forget those Bowden victories that really shouldnt be counted to begin with. Stop bashing Joe and Penn State. You are so transparent!
SportsNation Beano Cook: I do not make the rules I what games count, but I happen to agree with you that those games should probably not count. But they do count and there is nothing anyone can do about it. And do not worry since Joe Pa will end up with more wins anyway.
Didn’t I just say that?
sarah (chicago): “Ohio State and Penn State just do not want to play tough non-conference games.” Sorry Beano you are wrong. OSU played Texas, plays USC next year and has plans to play Miami(FL).
SportsNation Beano Cook: Ohio State has four non-conference games. Tell me about the other three. I have no complaint with Washington, but the other three, Youngtown St., Akron and Kent St.? Give me a break! They play one tough one. With the material they get they should be willing to play tough games. The BCS has made a lot of teams play easy non-conference games. There are exceptions like USC and Washington. My point is this, Penn State and Ohio State get great material so they should play tougher non-conference games, and that is just my opinion.
He is absolutely right.
John North Bergen, NJ: Penn State refuses to play WVU or Pitt on a 1 for 1 bases. They believe it should be 2 at Penn State for 1 road game. That’s why they play Temple, and the Akrons of the world.
SportsNation Beano Cook: That’s a policy they can choose to have, but there are other teams they can choose to play.
A surprisingly civil answer to the world’s most annoying topic, Penn State vs. Pitt. I’m so sick of hearing about Pitt not being afraid to play at Penn State twice for every game at Pitt. Look up the history of the series and see where most of the games were played for the first 70 years of rivalry and then we’ll talk fairness.
Beano also talked about Handsome Dan, the original mascot. Unfortunately, it only came up from Georgia derivative Uga mascot and well, got kind of creepy.
Brent (Atlanta): Beano- fire out something about the Dawgs. Will they beat LSU in the Georgia Dome if they get the chance? are they a top 3 team to start next year?
SportsNation Beano Cook: I think they have a good shot, if they make it. It is a home game for Georgia and Uga will be there. What more do you need? I would love to see USC play Georgia so we could have Uga and the Song Girls. But Uga’s the greatest.
Dave (Palo Alto): Uga, what about Handsome Dan?
SportsNation Beano Cook: Hey Georgia are called the Bulldogs because of Yale. So yes Handsome Dan is a very good mascot. Maybe we could fix the two of them up on a blind date. It could be a heck of a halftime show. Very good question by the way!
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?!