Jeff from Nittany Lounge offers this week’s questions.

1. Coach Paterno says the biggest improvement in a team happens between week one and week two of the season. What area needs most improvement? What facet of play needs the least improvement?

The offesive line needs to improve the most. They could not create holes for the running backs and center Stefan W. wasn’t putting enough zip on the ball in shotgun situations.

The defensive line needs the least improvement, they dominated Akron.

2. Syracuse is running what it calls the Stallion, a form of the Wildcat offense. It appeared to be effective against Minnesota. At one point during the Minnesota game, Syracuse had run the Stallion seven times, averaging over six yards per play. What does the PSU rush defense need to do break the Stallion?

In order to break up the Stallion, Penn State needs to…show up. Seriously, this while annoying, seems to be targeted right at Penn State’s strength — the front seven. They may get some yardage, especially with Navarro Bowman not likely to play, but I think it will be hard earned and my bet is Syracuse wears out long before Penn State.

3. Minnesota squeaked out a win against the Orange(men). What expectation does this create for Penn State when playing Syracuse? And perhaps more importantly since it is a conference game, Minnesota?

Syracuse should be more competitive than last year, so the game might not be a laugher in the first half. The Orange probably comes in with a lot more confidence, but I doubt it will matter that much. They did beat Notre Dame and Louisville last year, so they are not complete stiffs.

Minnesota probably benefits finding a way to win a tough, overtime game on the road. In fact, unless they got really beat up, I don’t see much downside for them.

4. This week next year Penn State will be playing Alabama on the road. What do you think about State playing Bama instead of the Cuse? Would you rather be tailgating in Happy Valley and attending another FCS beat down? Or sitting at home watching the game on the big screen? Should the Big Ten play at least one OOC game per year with the SEC or Big 12?

You are kind of comparing apples to oranges (no pun intended) since they are both home and home series. I am glad Penn State has Alabama on the schedule (might have been more fine with it in 2005 when it was originally scheduled) because to be elite, you need to compete and beat the elite and that includes on the road. At this point in my life, I don’t bother traveling to Penn State games against FCS (nee I-AA) programs because it costs too much money and time for a glorified scrimmage. I don’t have a big screen either. I would be quite happy if Penn State played an OOC game with the SEC or Big XII annually. If it were up to me, the typicaly non-conference schedule would be like this:

1 or 2 old-time Eastern rival games (Maryland, Rutgers, Syracuse, etc.)
One intersectional game (SEC, Pac-10, Big XII, etc.)
1 or 2 MAC game (including Temple)

Get at least one marquee intersectional game and old Eastern rival each year. We don’t need Eastern Illinois.

Extra Points

1. The current line is -28. Cover or Not?

Not

2. Does Penn State show up for the second half?

Yes, Syracuse will be within 16 at the half.

3. True/False: Syracuse is a better opponent than Akron.

True — at the very least they are an old rival which counts for something. Since they went the distance with Minnesota, I’m inclined to think they are much better than last year and even then they pulled off a few upsets.

4. Fact or Fiction: Sue Paterno once painted the Nittany Lion statue orange.

Fact — She was trying to rally apathetic fans. Then Syrcause students used oil-based paint and caused a real problem. Guard the shrine this week people!

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