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2006 WWN PENN STATE PREGAME #8

Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Illinois Fighting Illini

Happy Homecoming! Penn State returns to the field after a tough loss to Michigan. Also, sorrority girls are getting new windbreakers.

Penn State Gameday CentralIntercollegiate Athletics

LAST WEEK

Penn State got pushed around and beaten up by Michigan, yet came within a touchdown of tying at the end of the game with a third string quarterback. All is not lost.

THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT: ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

Of all the Big11Ten teams Penn State plays, Illinois is one of the least interesting. Maybe I feel this way because they were not on the schedule the first two years I was a student. The series, a nice and lopsided one, has not given me much to get excited about either. Also, it seems like Illinois is always our homecoming opponent when they play in Happy Valley, like Purdue and Minnesota used to be.

This year’s edition of the Illini is better than last year’s, but they still have a long way to go. They lost last week to Ohio, 20-17. No, I did not miss the “State,” they lost to Ohio of the MAC.

NO RANKING

Penn State is still unranked in the major college polls and will be for sometime. The next opprutunity to get back in is winning the next three games. Some wag did say that the Lions were the best 4-3 team in the country which is a pretty useless statement.

PRESS CONFERENCE

  • Transcript | Audio (Fight On State)

    IMPORTANT ARTICLES

  • QBs cleared to playPatriot-News
  • Bad timing: Penn State set to welcome floundering IllinoisCDT
  • Big plays elude Nittany LionsTribune-Review
  • Fickle PSU fans reactingCDT
  • Illinois upset looks unlikelyPatriot-News
  • Football Notebook: Penn State still has sights on New Year’s Day bowlTribune-Review
  • SU O-line cause for concernTribune-Review

    BEANO WATCH

    Carroll H. Cook (’54 Pitt) had nothing to say about the alma mater. That is twice in three chats, what gives Beano?

    TELEVISION

    The contest is being televised in primetime by ESPN2, coverage starts at noon.

    WEATHER

    Pleasant, highs in the 50s.

    MORE COVERAGE

  • Penn State Football Official Site – from the “Kremlin”
  • CDT coverage
  • Patriot-News coverage
  • Post-Gazette coverage
  • Tribune-Review coverage
  • 50 Yard Lion Blog – an Altoona dentist; daily (Patriot-News)
  • PA Sports Blog – mostly recruiting, if that is your thing
  • NittPickers – fans who work for the Patriot-News
  • No Cheering Aloud – sportswriters at the Patriot-News
  • Nittany Lines Blog — sports ed. from The Morning Call
  • Jeff Rice’s blog — PSU football beat writer at the CDT
  • Ask Jeff Q & A (CDT)
  • Monday Morning QB – Steve Smith (CDT)
  • FightOnState.com — free
  • Blue White Illustrated — Phil Grosz, subscription required

    PREDICTIONS

    Penn State should take this one without too much trouble, let’s say 33 -16.

    IN CLOSING

    Go STATE, beat Illini!