Two bloggers from JoePa’s Doghouse provided this week’s questions. First off, Rowlf Dog:
1) Congratulations to Evan Royster for breaking the all-time Penn State rushing record. Where do you rank him compared to the PSU running backs you have seen play live?
Despite all the yards, I’d put Evan Royster below Curtis Enis, Larry Johnson (the 2002 version) and Tony Hunt, but above Eric McCoo, Larry Johnson (1999-2001 version) Cordell Mitchell and Rodney Kinlaw. Royster’s greatest strength — field vision compensates for his lack of burst at the beginning of runs.
2) Okay, I guess we need to have one QB question. Will we see Kevin Newsome get any significant playing time this year? Where do you think he will be in 2011?
At this point, I don’t expect to see Kevin Newsome getting any significant playing time — if he does it is probably a bad thing. Looking into his future, I see him enrolling at a FCS school.
3) Against Michigan, Nate Cadogan was used as a “TE” in some goal line situations. What other outside the box ideas (offense or defense) can you come up with to provide additional sparks?
Brandon Ware to the hands team for on-side kicks.
I think necessity has forced a little outside the box thinking already with Chaz Powell in the secondary and Chima Okoli (looking good by the way) on the offensive line.
4) Which lifted curse was most satisfying: Royster converting a 4th & 1, Graham Zug making big-time catches, offensive success in the red zone, or PSU winning as underdog? Do you think it will carry over for the remainder of the season?
Seeing offensive success in the red zone is quite refreshing and I expect some carryover, particularly this week and two weeks from now. I am glad Zug was a contributor though, I suggested that would be one of the keys to winning last week, though he wasn’t as big a factor as I thought he would need to be. I still can’t over how bad Michigan is now. Royster getting a first down in short yardage was alo delightful.
5) Whether you were at this game or not, we’ve all had to put up with douchebag Michigan fans. Give me your best encounter with such a jerk.
I really haven’t had any problems with Michigan fans. The only people I know from there don’t like Michigan either — they go with Sparty.
Kibbles N Bits
1) If you had to choose, would you rather have JoePa get his 400th win at home this Saturday against Northwestern or next week in front of stunned Buckeyes?
Shouldn’t the Nittany Lions being playing Bowling Green this week?
This is college football, you want to win every week.
I would much prefer Joe Paterno’s 401st win come at Ohio State than his 400th. Win #324 against Ohio State in Beaver Stadium was quite satisfying (and freezing). Win #400 is a milestone and not a recordbreaker, merely a record extender.
2) Northwestern has given up more sacks than any team in the Big Ten. Penn State has recorded the second fewest. I’m setting the over/under at 1.5. What say you?
I say over.
3) You have to admit that Northwestern has a pretty ugly color combination. Let’s throw them a bone. What’s your most prized purple possession?
I think the only purple thing I own is a shirt and I only wear it when the other shirts are dirty. Almost everything I have is blue or white.
The Roundtable