#5 Penn State at MICHIGAN STATE
Everybody excited?! Even though Ohio State had more hype, this is the BIGGEST game that Penn State has played since 1994, because the stakes – a Big11Ten championship/BCS bid — are the highest since then. If they win, they are in, if they lose, they probably head to Orlando or Tampa and somebody like Ohio State or Michigan will get the BCS bid.
Perhaps showing the significance of Penn State’s resurgence, or just boredom with Columbus and Ann Arbor, ESPN College GameDay will be in East Lansing (The Collegian) for the game. I guess I will have to watch some of it this week. The university is also doing a send-off and welcome back event.
Despite the apparent mismatch based on the standings, I have butterflies in my stomach over this one; the Spartans are very dangerous, averaging 500 yards a game on offense. Dave Jones of the Patriot-News warns us that since 1997, the Spartans are 9-1 vs. top ten teams. He offers a great way of describing MSU:
Ever know a hot chick in college who, down deep, was never very happy; never really had her life together, but instead seemed to take great pleasure in messing up other people’s lives?
The Spartans are that girl. Talented. Look great on paper. But always carrying around a suitcase full of issues so that they never really accomplish anything themselves.
Adding to that, the team in Ann Arbor is still in the race, and that always makes me nervous. As Admiral Ackbar would say, “it’s a twap, it’s a twap!”
LAST WEEK
The Lions were off. How did you enjoy your off week?
THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT: MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
Penn State may be #4 in the BCS, but when the Land-Grant Trophy is up for grabs, all bets are off.
When Penn State joined the conference, Michigan State asked to be our designated rival, something Paterno alludes to in this week’s press conference. The Lions have played the Spartans more than any other Big11Ten school, holding a 9-4 edge since joining the conference. Somebody decided this rivalry needed to be a trophy game and since both institutions were founded in 1855 as land grant schools for their states, it was decided to create the Land Grant Trophy.
Historically, the Spartans have been a hot and cold team. This year, they started off hot, beating Notre Dame, but have been cold since then, losing five in a row. They need to win to be bowl eligible.
Overall, games in the series tend to be either close or complete blowouts. Here is a look at the matchup since I started following the Lions.
1995 – A last second strike from Wally Richardson to Bobby Engram won the game in East Lansing.
1996 – A Brent Conway field goal in the last minute iced the game, 32-29, in frigid Beaver Stadium.
1997 – Michigan State pulled away in the second half behind power running (two backs with over 200 yards EACH) and routed PSU 49 – 14, costing the Lions a Bowl Alliance/coalition game.
1998 – Another lopsided game, this time in Penn State’s favor, 51-28 on Thanksgiving Saturday.
1999 – The Lions lose a thriller in East Lansing, 35-28. They had rallied from 21-0 to tie, but simply could not get over the hump during their awful November.
2000 – Revenge! The underachieving Lions scored on their first four possessions to go up 28-0 and crush the Spartans. The lone, obnoxious Spartan fan who had been taunting us throughout the pregame was gone before the first half was over.
2001 – Penn State came back from a 24-7 deficit and won 42-37 to keep bowl hopes alive.
2002 – Larry Johnson went over 2,000 yards a TD run in the second half and the Lions rolled to a 61-7 victory.
2003 – The Lions played uninspired football and lost 41-10 in East Lansing.
2004 – Zack Mills had a senior day to remember with the Lions winning, 37-13 in a game where the score was not very close.
So, for any dismissiveness we may have for this rivalry, it has produced some exciting games.
NEW RANKING
Even though Penn State was idle, they still picked up a spot in both major polls to reach #5 due to Alabama losing to LSU. Even better news is that the Lions are #4 in the BCS poll.
PRESS CONFERENCE RECAP
Here is the press conference transcript from goPSUsports.com and audio from FightOnState.com. Some points: Mike Robinson does not get enough credit and not paying attention BCS.
YOU GOTTA LIKE MIKE!
In what can best be described as a sea change, Penn State is actually promoting one of its players for postseason awards. QB Mike Robinson’s season is being celebrated here.
ARTICLES FROM THIS WEEK
Always moving forward, but when will Paterno move on? – USA Today
In shocking news, Paterno says the he wants to coach another four or five years. No, this article was not written in 1983. But seriously, it is a bit in depth about the greatest living coach in the twilight of his days.
Fall and rise of Paterno’s Nittany Lion empire – YDR
Another article on the resurgence of the Nittany Lions that once again points to the goal-line stand at Indiana last year. You may recall that last year, Jay Paterno had this to say about that stand:
We felt the whole year, if we can just get one win, we might not lose for two years. And [last week’s win over Indiana] might be — 20 years from now we might look at it, and that goal-line stand might be the most important four plays in the history of Penn State football, who knows. And we’re gonna try and make it that way.
Jay is looking a little prophetic…so far. Beating the Spartans this Saturday would go a long way.
PSU fans, players celebrate at lovefest with an electric beat – Post-Gazette
A lengthy look at Zombie Nation’s Kernkraft 400 and Guido D’Elia, director of communications and branding, behind using it at Beaver Stadium. I was hard on D’Elia earlier in the season for the hamfisted approach to stadium music. To his credit, he addressed it and listen to the concerns of alumni like me and toned down the hip hop.
ESPN crew films Posluszny feature – The Collegian
A Collegian reporter tags along with the camera crew during the Paul Posluszny feature taping. He is finalist for the Lombardi (Post-Gazette) and Butkus (Patriot-News) awards.
Inconsistent Spartans cannot be taken for granted – Post-Gazette
Another series of warnings about MSU, whom in a roundabout way Paterno said was a rival. There is also a photo of the Land Grant Trophy.
BEANO WATCH
Carroll H. Cook (’54 Pitt) had his last chat of Penn State’s regular season. He let them off pretty easily for a change.
Alex, Columbia, SC: Who do you think is coming off a bigger win last week, South Carolina or Clemson and how will that effect the game this week?
Beano Cook: I think this is the game to be at. Steve Spurrier, if he wins this game and Penn STate loses, Spurrier should be coach of the year. If Paterno wins, he’s the coach of the year. SC-Clemson is the most intriguing game of the day. I loved the T-shirt after SC beat Florida. It said ‘It was big and it was easy.’
Even if Penn State wins, I have to wonder if Paterno really deserves coach of the year. Penn State is supposed to contend for the Big11Ten title in my book, though I am not opposed to Paterno being named coach of the year.
Jim (Phila.): Beano, do you think JoePa has it turned around at Penn State, or is this year a one time thing, like in 2002.
Beano Cook: No, I don’t know if they’re going to win 9 of 10 next year, but he had a couple of bad years. They’ll lose a lot of players, next year will be tough. But in 2007 they’ll be tough. The schedule will be in their favor that year. Paterno will coach at least through 2008 if his health remains the way it is now. Shame on those people who wanted to see Paterno retire. Shame, shame, shame, shame.
Beano Cook: Isn’t it strange that this Saturday Michigan fans will be rooting for Michigan State? If MSU beats Penn State and Michigan beats OSU, Michigan is in a BCS bowl.
I agree that it is too early to say that PSU has turned it around, a few years of sustained winning with some excellent seasons sprinkled in will tell me that Penn State is back.
Abraham: , San Diego: Who would win if Penn State played UM in the Orange Bowl ?
Beano Cook: Miami.
Beano does not even give reasons for his position, which is unusual for him. I have to think this means he feels strongly about it.
TELEVISION
The contest is being televised nationally on ESPN at 4 p.m. Mike Tirico, Mike Gottfried and Alex Flanagan will be the calling the action.
PREDICTIONS
Like many of the games in the series, I expect this one to be a little wild. MSU may even have a lead for a while and Penn State having trouble putting them away. Nevertheless, I predict a 34-26 victory for the Lions with a big sigh of relief (and bourbon) at the end.
MORE COVERAGE
IN CLOSING
GO STATE, beat SPARTANS!