1. As this week’s matchup with Iowa represents not just Penn State’s first conference game, but their first real test, take a look back at the 3-game preconference schedule. What was the one thing that stood out to you most, either as a success or a failure?
The most glaring thing about the first three games is the offensive line not getting it together yet. The pass blocking was pretty good for the first two games, but not the third, while the run blocking was just the opposite. I simply did not expect that to be an issue heading into the fourth week of the season. A good offensive line is the surest way to win and the Nittany Lions do not appear to have one yet.
2. Iowa, on the other hand, has been tested twice already this season, both by D1-AA Northern Iowa and by Arizona, a solid Pac-10 team. How much of an advantage, if any, will the Hawkeyes have over Penn State as a result?
I think Iowa definitely has an advantage going into the game having been tested twice already. They must be feeling more confident in what they can do and believing in themselves a bit. I think this helps them leading up to the game and if they keep it close heading to the fourth quarter.
3. It seems like both Penn State and Iowa have been hit pretty hard by the injury bug early in the 2009 season, with Iowa losing the services of RB Jewel Hampton, LT Bryan Bulaga, TE Tony Moeaki and WR Darrell Johnson-Koulianos and Penn State potentially without both Sean Lee and Navorro Bowman, along with Graham Zug. How will both teams adjust to playing without some of their star players?
Normally, I’d say Penn State would be better able to adjust to injuries, but they have had so many their depth is an issue, especially at linebacker. Sean Lee and Navarro Bowman are the keys for Penn State, if they can play at or close to full speed, I think Penn State will be fine. Iowa seems to be getting by without those starters.
4. Last year, a loss to Iowa knocked Penn State out of the championship race. This year, they’re in a similar place, as they largely control their own destiny. Do you see Penn State running the table in the Big Ten, and if not, where is the most likely slip-up?
Don’t most undefeated teams “control their own destiny” at this point? I predicted a 11-2 season and have not seen anything to suggest they can exceed that prediction. If anything, I have seen that they are likely to fall short of it. I think Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State as possible stumbling blocks. They really need to up their game to win the conference this year.
5. This will be the fourth year that Beaver Stadium hosts a White Out, and it’s universally regarded as one of the best traditions in the NCAA. What suggestions would you have to further improve gameday conditions at the Beav?
The surest way to improve gameday conditions to get Guido D’Elia out of the soundbooth! His constant barrage of piped in music has dumbed down the atmosphere and made it sound like a minor league game and not college football. It is terrible and makes me less likely to go to games. Why drive all that distance, spend all that money to not hear the Blue Band? Also, “Livin’ on a Prayer” have got to go. Since when do Pennsylvanians like anything from New Jersey anyway? “Sweet Caroline” is a Red Sox thing that is infecting stadia across the country.
Lightning Round:
Who runs for more yards, Iowa or Penn State?
Iowa
Last year’s Whiteout game drew 109,626 people to Beaver Stadium. How many come this year?
108,138
If you had to win just one of the two, would you rather Penn State beats Iowa or Ohio State?
I don’t know, let’s just win both.
Does Corso put on the Lion or Hawkeye head?
Hawkeye
Does Penn State get revenge, or does Iowa make it 7 of 8 against the Lions?
Penn State wins, but it is harder than it needs to be.
The Roundtable
2 the Lion FOOTBALL
Penn State Clips
Happy Hour Valley
The Nittany Line
We Want the Lion
Zombie Nation
Nittany Whiteout
Nittany Lounge
