Thursday Question: Best Case Scenario 2010

Can the new starters like DeOn'tae Pannell (50) and
Doug Klopacz (68) on the O-Line
gel in time for Alabama and Iowa?

Penn State has been universally labeled as "down" in 2010. But are the Nittany Lions capable of shocking the talking heads, and pull off another double-digit win season, or more?

In today's Thursday Question--the final TQ of the off-season--we tackle part two to last week's question, which asked what might be the worst case scenario for Penn State football in 2010. As you would expect, this week's question heads to the other end of that spectrum, as we look at how high this team might go over the next few months.

Thursday Question: What's the best case scenario for Penn State in 2010?

Galen 10-2

Realistically speaking there’s no way Penn State goes undefeated; if they do the unthinkable and run the table, I’ll eat my mattress*. Let’s say Penn State beats all the teams they are supposed to and plays well enough to win all their ‘toss-up’ games. That leaves the big three of Alabama, Iowa, and Ohio State. Even if Penn State plays well in all three games I still think they lose two. So let’s say they pull one out, the best case scenario is for them to beat Bama. I know most pundits will tell you that losing early is better than losing late in the season but not in this case. If Penn State pulls off a shocker in Tuscaloosa against the top ranked team in the nation on national TV not only will they get a Colbert-esque bump in the polls but they’ll hold the nation’s attention for a couple weeks which could even help in recruiting. Not only will they beat the #1 team but they beat a team from the OMG!1!!! EESSSSSS EEEEEEEE SEEEEEE!!!! ESPN would be talking about them for weeks. Or until they lose to Iowa.

*I’m tempting fate here, the last time I read this phrase was on a message board and it was “I’ll eat my mattress if Derrick Williams commits to Penn State

Mike 11-1

I'm going to go big. I will say that Penn State can go 11-1 and grab a Big Ten championship. No, I'm not crazy. This is the absolute best case scenario. I truly believe that this team has more raw talent than even the greatest teams Joe Paterno has ever assembled. Are they as good of a team than 2005, 1994, or 1982? No, but that's only because this team doesn't have the overall experience that those senior-laden squads were fortunate enough to possess.

Penn State can beat Alabama. Penn State can beat Iowa. Penn State is 2-3 against Ohio State the last five meetings, including a win in Columbus. They don't play Wisconsin, a Big Ten title contender, or Purdue a probable bowl team. Temple, Michigan, Michigan State and Northwestern are bowl caliber teams, but aren't better than Penn State. If Minnesota, Indiana, or Illinois beat Penn State this year, it would be an earth-shattering upset.

I was going to pick 10-2, but I just can't help thinking that the potential for this team is just too great. Two losses is the safe pick, and will probably be the most realistic. But hell, I'm a hopeless optimist when it comes to Penn State football.

Ryan 10-2

Obviously best case scenario is to win every game, but I don't think that is even in the realm of possibility this year. They will lose two out of the three games to Iowa, Alabama, and Ohio State.

In order to go 10-2 and have a successful season, a couple things have to happen. The offensive line must gel, and gel early. Quinn Barham's transition from guard to tackle must go smoothly, as he protects the new quarterback from opposing pass rushers.

Speaking of the quarterbacks, obviously the starter doesn't need to be the focal point of the offense, but he has to limit turnovers. If he throws ten interceptions or less, than this team will be successful.

And finally, the front seven has to live up to expectations and fill the holes left by the departed seniors and juniors before them. Devon Still needs to be as good as advertised and team up with Ollie Ogbu to stuff the run.

If the team is able to hit on all these points, and is able to stay healthy, than a 10-2 season could be on the horizon. I'm not holding my breath.

Tim 10-2

Penn State goes undefeated, defeats Boise State in the title game. The Blue and White sky opens up with a beautiful rainbow, chocolate-filled river streams flow, and the townsfolk cheer in the streets knowing that it's safe to leave their homes once again...

Barring that scenario of course, a 10-2 record which includes beating one of the three penciled-in losses (i.e. Alabama/Iowa/Ohio State). This would require the offensive line to gel quickly enough, for Robert Bolden to be as talented and poised beyond his years as insiders and media folks make him out to be, and for the defense to hold its own while the offense gets its act together.

Yea, I'll go with the former...

What's your best case scenario for Penn State in 2010?

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Thursday Question: Worst Case Scenario 2010

With a talented roster heading into the 2000 season,
no one expected Penn State to tumble to a 5-7 record.
Is Penn State in store for another rude awakening,
ten years later?

Is it really just two weeks until the first Thursday night college football game? Hard to believe. So now that things are shaping up by the day, we can start piecing together some predictions for the season. After all, we know preseason predictions always turn out true, right?

This is part one of a two-part Thursday Question: Worst case scenario for Penn State in 2010?

Galen

The best way to do this is in reverse order. Youngstown State, Kent State, Temple, and Indiana are wins unless something cataclysmic happens. Penn State should beat Illinois and Minnesota or it’s going to be a REALLY bad year. I’ll put Northwestern, Michigan, and Michigan State in the “toss up” pile which leaves Ohio State, Iowa, and Alabama as probable losses. If Penn State loses all three of their toss up games the Nittany Lions could be sitting at 6-6, worst case scenario. But the scenario doesn’t stop with just wins and losses, if PSU does end up .500 there will be wide reaching backlash. For argument’s sake, let’s say Penn State goes 6-6 and Paterno retires. Could you imagine the empty seats in Beaver stadium now that people have to pay an arm and a leg for a ticket and 40 bucks to park in field full of cow shit? I don’t even want to imagine the fallout of that scenario, we’re talking end of times here people! Repent now!

Mike

Of course, there's always the possibility of every team going 0-12 in any given season. But that's not what we're talking about. The absolute worst case scenario for Penn State in 2010 is a .500 season. It's not all that unimaginable, however improbable. It will be bad enough if Penn State loses all three big games, and say, at home to Michigan or Michigan State. But what would send this season down the tubes would be all that, plus an inexcusable loss at Minnesota, home against Northwestern, or a first-ever loss to Indiana. Penn State is coming off two really outstanding recruiting classes. If you fielded a team of only this year's underclassmen, it would have a tough time missing out on a .500 record and bowl eligibility. But scarier things have happened at Penn State. One injury along an already sketchy offensive line, the pass protection could go buh-bye. Will Jared Odrick be missed way more than we all think? What if just one or two plays don't happen here or there, costing Penn State a game or two... or three? Those kinds of things happen when a team relies on untested talent at some of the most important positions on the field. So that's it. My absolute worst case scenario for this season is 6-6.

Nick

Unfortunately, the worst case scenario isn't that hard to imagine. It basically consists of none of the quarterbacks sort it out, the offensive line never gets it together and the offense is stagnated. Pretty much a repeat of some of the worst aspects of 2003 and 2004, the team will spend nearly three quarters of games on the field defensively because offensively all they can manage are three-and-outs. It will be a season long cock tease where you'll see flashes of potential or maybe even one game where its all put together (i.e. Michigan State 2004) and you scratch your head as to where the hell this was the rest of the year. I don't see any of that coming to pass, but all the ingredients are there.

Ryan

Worst case scenario for Penn State, I don't even know where to begin. Well obviously that would entail losing to Alabama, Iowa, and Ohio State at the very least. Lets just assume that Evan Royster stays healthy, because God knows what would happen if he were unable to play. But I definitely think it is realistic to foresee him struggling early on to run behind the makeshift offensive line, ala the 2008 season after Levi Brown graduated. A weak offensive line combined with a lackluster linebacking corps could definitely lead to many problems for this team. We already saw what Iowa's running game did to last years defense, and I would not be surprised to see this year's team operate at a notch below. So personally, I think worst case scenario would be 6-6, but 7-5 a more likely possibility.

What's your worst case scenario for Penn State in 2010?

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Thursday Quesiton: 2010 Surprise Breakout Offensive Player

Will Kevin Newsome (12) surprise the Nittany Nation this fall, with a breakout season?

Last week, it was our picks for the breakout defensive player for 2010. This week, we flip over to the offensive side of the ball. From quarterback to wide receiver to the return game, we'll take a look at a few players that could catch you off guard this season, with a truly surprising breakout campaign.

So, let's get to it: What's your surprise breakout offensive player for 2010?

Galen

This may come as a shocker but I’m going to go with Kevin Newsome as my breakout offensive player for 2010. It’s all set up for Kevin, Penn State will feature a strong running game behind a record-setting running back. If Newsome can be adequate to above average the offense will soar. Teams will undoubtedly stack the line to stop the run and challenge PSU to beat them through the air. If Kevin can burn a couple defenses early it will make defensive coordinators think twice. Not to mention there isn’t a Penn State fan that doesn’t think Kevin has wheels, he’ll burn a couple defenses that let him get outside the pocket. I was skeptical about Michael Robinson and Darryl Clark when they stepped into the starting QB role for the first time and I was wrong about them. I’ve been outspoken about Newsome as well so who’s to say I’m not wrong about him, and let’s face it the universe hates me so he’ll probably have a great year just to make me look bad.

Mike

I really do think that Kevin Newsome qualifies for a surprise breakout candidate this year; that's why he's my pick. No one is expecting the kid from Portsmouth, VA to excel on the field of play this fall. Far too many fans and pundits are calling for him to be benched, before he's even thrown a meaningful pass. That's ridiculous. This is all not to say that Paul Jones or Robert Bolden, or even Matt McGloin aren't good, or have the chance to someday get there. But considering the offensive situation for 2010, why wouldn't Newsome have a chance to be a younger Mike Robinson?

The offense will need a running quarterback. The wide receivers are dynamic enough to make mediocre passes look fantastic. The offensive line is good enough to get by with said running QB. There are at least three good running backs, and another who is up for the Doak Walker and Maxwell awards. Kevin Newsome has the most experience of any QB, not matter how little that actually may be. He has been running these plays for a year and eight months, and has speed to burn. Yes, there's a new No. 12 in town, and he is my pick for 2010's surprise breakout player on offense.

Will Brett Brackett (83) have a breakout senior season?

Ryan

I know going it may not seem like too big of a risk to say a senior is going to be a breakout player, but Brett Brackett to me has all the makings of finally coming into his own this year at the receiver position. He was slated to start in the slot before the Curtis Drake injury, but it seemed a formality that Drake would be getting a bunch of snaps in his stead. Brackett is a HUGE target, and whoever the starting quarterback is, they are certainly going to find comfort in throwing to the 6'6 232 pounder. I expect Brackett to be the primary red-zone threat, as well as a frequent target on third downs. Brackett is also slotted to be the starting holder, so he hopefully will be able to help Colin Wagner in the kicking game as well. And who knows, if this passing game turns out to be as bad as a lot of people think it is going to be, maybe Brackett goes back to his high school days and starts taking snaps under center for old time's sake.

Tim

I'm going to go out on a limb here: Devon Smith. Let's not forget that the little speedster saw some meaningful PT early last season before a concussion and off-field issues got him buried under the depth chart. I still remember him running a beautiful route to get wide open for a 20+ yard catch against Akron and having a couple of nice runs out of the reverse. I fully expect to see him returning kickoffs this season but now with the lovable Drake out 6-8 weeks, don't be surprised if you see Smith being utilized the way the coaching staff had intended to use Drake (i.e. reverses, screens, etc.). Not only is he a blur, but his shortness (5'8") could make him difficult to spot by opposing defenders if he has enough tall blockers in front of him.

Of course, there's a chance I could be dead wrong on this prediction and Brett Brackett ends up filling the void for Drake's duties but I have a gut feeling about Devon breaking out this year. Oh, and you can't talk about Mr. Smith without this obligatory video:

Who is your surprise breakout offensive player for 2010?

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Thursday Quesiton: 2010 Surprise Breakout Defensive Player

Sophomore cornerback Stephon Morris (12) is just one of our picks for 2010's surprise breakout players.

By the time this month is over, we will be counting down the hours, not days, until kickoff. So to keep your excitement going, we continue with our Thursday Question series, with this week's edition: What's your surprise breakout defensive player for 2010?

Galen

Well it’s tough to pick a “breakout” player on defense unless you are going to go out on a limb and come up with a reason why Stephen Obeng-Agyapong takes over the starting role at safety and becomes a wide receiver-maiming terror or something like that. We all know the linebackers are talented but inexperienced, it’s only a matter of time until they get comfortable and start making plays. I’ll go with Stephon Morris. We already know he’s good, he started as a true freshman and played in all 13 games but I think he’ll greatly improve and people outside Nittany Nation will know his name by the end of the season. I was so impressed at not only how well he could cover as a true frosh but how sure he tackled, that’s a combination that great corners have. Now he’s had a year in the system, got plenty of game experience and has been through and entire offseason workout, he should be quicker and stronger. Teams will throw in his direction because he doesn’t have the name recognition yet, but by the end of the season that will change.

Nick

It's tough to come up with a "surprise" breakout defensive player, because we're already so familiar with the cast. If one were to look at preseason magazines, it'd likely be Mauti or Gerald Hodges, but like I said they're somewhat known quantities to us so I'm going to say whatever freshman manages to get into the secondary rotation, which at this point I'll tab Alex Kenney. It's still unknown if he'll play offense or defense and they're just starting getting started so things are far from sorted out, but while there's alot of depth at WR, that's not the case on the other side of the ball. He's got the size to be a disruptive playmaker and the speed to make up for the missteps he's bound to make early on as he gets adjusted to the college game. I like his chances to make an impact by season's end, then again he could redshirt and be out of the mix completely.

Mike

The trick for this week's question is that "surprise" element. So I'll have to be careful not to pick some player that we already know well, or has had great play on the field, but not enough because he was waiting behind some other star or something like that. Corner Stephon Morris was going to be my initial pick, but he did play a lot last year, and Penn State's secondary hasn't had too many big-time impact/breakout players the last few years. That's not a slight on Morris. He's going to be a fantastic corner, probably one of the best in the conference. But is that a real surprise?

For this answer, I'll head forward to the front line. Defensive tackle Jordan Hill saw some decent playing time in 2009, but was overshaddowed by the usual performers along the D-line. Defensive end Sean Stanley sort of made his "surprise" mark last season, so I'll keep him in my regular old breakout players list for 2010. But I'm not sure anyone wouldn't be a bit surprised if Hill keeps progressing the way he quietly did in 2009, to have a really, really good year in 2010. With Jared Odrick now in the NFL, and coach Larry Johnson, Sr.'s propensity to rotate linemen like nothin' else, I like Hill to impress in unexpected fashion next month.

Ryan

If asked this question at the end of last season, I definitely would have gone with Eric Lattimore. His size and quickness caught my attention the first time I saw him play. But, the Blue White game has come and gone and Lattimore is no longer "under the radar." So, I'm going with Mike Mauti. I know, I know, how can a top recruit of Mauti's stature be considered a surprise. But they seem to be babying him right now in terms of giving him the recognition and placement on the starting unit. I fully expect Mauti to be in the first team before too long, and expect him to be an absolute BEAST for the Lions.

Tim

For me, this is a rather tough one to pick. I see three viable candidates in my mind: Sean Stanley, Stephon Morris, and Michael Mauti. Stanley showcased his talents in front of the country for the first time last year at Illinois when he forced a Juice Williams fumble which PSU turned into the game-sealing TD drive. He's a little buried on the depth chart right now but considering how injury-prone Eric Latimore is, the possibility that he may eventually land a starting position halfway through the year is not so far-fetched.

Morris also made his presence felt last year at Illinois with his near coast-to-coast interception return and throughout the latter half of the season when his hard-hitting style and blazing speed made him a person whose end of the field opposing quarterbacks tried to avoid throwing towards. Morris is already written in permanent marker as a starting cornerback alongside DAnton Lynn for a reason: He's clearly a critical part of the secondary and will be counted upon to do even more this year.

Mauti would have been THE breakout player last year had he not torn his ACL. Right now, he's listed as a backup but expect him to see plenty of PT based upon what he showcased in 2008. His nearly killing former Michigan running back Sam McGuffie on that kickoff return is still the first thing I think about when I hear Mauti's name mentioned. Don't be surprised to see him earn a starting role, either if he lives up to the hype.

If forced at gunpoint, right now I'd have to go with Morris given the fact that he's unquestionably a starter. Expect the other two aforementioned players though to follow not too far behind...

Who is your surprise breakout defensive player for 2010?

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Thursday Question: 2010 Preseason Big Ten Rankings

Be sure to vote in the polls at the end of this post, where you tell us your No. 1, 2 and 3 teams!

Next week begins the annual Big Ten Kickoff festivities. Each year, the Big Ten media votes on its preseason top-three teams in the conference, which always draws a ruckus from the message boards and (ehem) blogs. So, naturally we thought here at Linebacker-U.com to give our own preseason top-three teams. That's the topic for this week's Thursday Question, and should be a fun one.

But first, here is the consensus vote from all five of your favorite LBU writers. It was very close for first, as the Hawkeyes got one more vote than the Buckeyes.

Linebacker-U.com 2010 Preseason Big Ten Rankings

1. Iowa
2. Ohio State
3. Wisconsin

Our individual picks...

Galen

I know this is probably going to rub some of the avid readers of Linebacker-U the wrong way but my top three does NOT include Penn State. When the dust settles I see the Big Ten race finishing like this:

1. Iowa
2. Ohio State
3. Wisconsin

Iowa – last season was a great season for the Hawkeyes and I don’t know why they would slip. The offensive line is supposed to be a weakness but when was the last time Iowa couldn’t plug in a couple of their corn-fed road graders and be at least an above average line? The defense will be outstanding with one of the best defensive lines and defensive backfields in the Big Ten. Adrian Clayborn will destroy people and Tyler Sash is always in the right place at the right time. They get their toughest opponents (Penn State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State) all at home.

Ohio State – I would have put THEosu at the top but they have a few more weaknesses than Iowa including the schedule; they have to travel to Wisconsin and Iowa. A lot of Ohio State’s success will be determined by the passing of Terrelle Pryor, if he can continue to improve they may run the table. Unfortunately that’s a big “if” and I think he’ll slip up once or twice, especially against good defenses like Iowa’s. The secondary is a concern and while the offensive line has experience and talent they haven’t lived up to Big Ten champion status. The Buckeyes will win a lot of games, I just think Iowa will edge them out.

Wisconsin – I know expectations were high for the Badgers last season and they really didn’t meet them but they still had a great season. They return 18 starters and, once again, a smash-mouth offensive line and a deep backfield. If QB Scott Tolzien can continue to improve they will have an offense that will wear opponents down. The defensive line is a tad suspect and the linebackers aren’t fantastic, although they are experienced, but they should be rested with their ball controlling offense. Just like Penn State the Badgers are suspect on special teams but they don’t play PSU and they get OSU at home for a night game. A trip to Iowa and a late season jaunt to Michigan could be the difference between a top 3 finish and a middle of the pack season.

Nick

At the top of the Big Ten I'm going to have to go somewhat against the grain and name Iowa my favorite to win the conference. Why Iowa, when the popular opinion is Ohio State?It's as simple as I've got more confidence in Stanzi leading a team than I do in Pryor at the helm. Both defenses should be stout and while Ohio State should have the more potent running game, Ricky Stanzi is the chip that puts Iowa over Ohio State.

After that, I'd have to say Wisconsin probably takes the third spot, but if a lot of unknowns fall into place Penn State certainly could be in the mix. The Badgers didn't take the losses at so many key positions from last year, however several teams could realistically be in play here. It's always dodgy looking at things this early when a down has yet to be played and injuries and breakout players have yet to emerge, that being said, the top two seem to be a level up on the rest of the conference.

Mike

1. Iowa
2. Ohio State
3. Wisconsin

I was so incredibly concerned putting Iowa on top, but as much talent as the Buckeyes have going into the season, I'm just staring at Ohio State's trip to Kinnick Stadium on November 20. If Iowa wins that game, does it mean overall for the season the Hawks are the best team in the conference? Not really. But Iowa is returning eight starters on a defense that just got better last year. As a Penn State fan, I'm actually more concerned about Iowa's defense than Ohio State's defense, considering both those games are away.

So Iowa and Ohio State are a draw for me, but that's kind of a cop-out; I pulled the trigger on Iowa, and I'm sticking with it.

As for Wisconsin, I was going to try another cop-out here, putting Wisconsin and Penn State as "tied" for third place. But again, that's stupid. Wisconsin is returning 10 offensive starters, including all five starting offensive linemen. The defense isn't better than Penn State's but the offensive line alone will win the Badgers a few games this season.

Ryan

Top Three Big Ten Teams:

1. Ohio State -- As much as it may pain me to say it...this is the year we really regret not signing Terrelle Pryor. His third season as a starter, this is the year he lives up to the hype and delivers for "The University of Ohio State." They bring back the overwhelming majority of their starters on both sides of the ball, and are the clear favorites to win the conference.

2. Iowa -- We saw how good the Iowa running game could be last year, and Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher were only freshmen. Now sophomores, the ground game should be even better this year. Combine that with a senior quarterback and beastly Adrian Clayborn, and this team should be a BCS contender yet again.

3. Wisconsin -- Third one is a tough one. Penn State could be in the mix, but I'm counting them out. John Clay is back for his third season in Camp Randall, and if last year is any indication this is the year he can push Wisconsin over the proverbial hump. But like here in Happy Valley, strong quarterback play is a concern in Wisconsin as well. Scott Tolzien returns as a second year starter, but he's going to have to improve on his 16/11 touchdown to interception ratio to give the Badgers a chance at the title.

Tim

1. Ohio State
2. Iowa
3. Penn State

I believe I deserve props for thinking outside of the box on this one…Terrelle Pryor turned a corner towards the end of last season and his solid performance in the Rose Bowl only helped to solidify my beliefs. The Buckeyes also return defensive end Cam Heyward, who made life a living hell for Daryll Clark and the Penn State offense in last year's embarassment at Beaver Stadium. The Buckeyes are loaded at just about every key position and until somebody can prove otherwise on the field, I see no reason why they should be ranked anywhere but #1 in the Big Ten.

Sure, Iowa returns most its key players including punter swallower Adrian Clayborn, safety Tyler Sash, all of their tailbacks including newly healthy Jewel Hampton, and yes dare I say it - Ricky Stanzi. With that being said, if Iowa plays as many tight games as they did last year, especially due to numerous 'Stanziballs''being thrown, they will not be as fortunate as they were last year and will likely suffer a couple more losses than many of us expect.

I'm just not sold on Wisconsin being in the top three at season's end. I admittedly haven't been reading my Phil Steele magazine as of late so this is coming off a total hunch and can't back it up based on which starters are returning, but I feel very hesitant to put them in the top three. To be fair, Penn State is a shaky top three prospect as well, especially given the brutal schedule plus the quarterback situation which has been documeneted more than Tiger Woods and LeBron James combined.

I know I predicted an 8-4 season for PSU in an earlier TQ segment but I feel when push comes to shove, they will emerge in a distant third. The senior-laden offensive line will gel together rather quickly which means everything depends on that QB situation getting settled. If in fact, a decent QB emerges from the pile, a nine or perhaps even a ten-win season is possible. Plus, who else besides PSU or Wisconsin is worthy or a top three preseason ranking? Michigan State will be improved but they just don't have the horses to win 9 or 10 games, especially with one of the worst secondaries in college football, and the rest of the Big Ten teams that I haven't mentioned all have fatal flaws of their own that will prevent them from being anything more than a middle of the pack team this year.

2010 Preseason No. 1 Big Ten:

2010 Preseason No. 2 Big Ten:

2010 Preseason No. 3 Big Ten:

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Thursday Question: Biggest landmine in 2010

Penn State handled Temple last season, but could the Owls be back with vengeance on their minds in 2010? Al Golden's crew might just have enough talent this season to do the unthinkable in Happy Valley. (C. Gardner/Philadelphia Inquirer)

Be sure to vote in the reader poll at the bottom of the post!

In last week's Thursday Question, we asked "Alabama, Iowa, Ohio State--which is the best chance for a Penn State win?" So, naturally this week we're throwing out the logical follow up.

Today's Thursday Question: The other 9 games--which is the best chance for a Penn State loss?

Galen

The other 9 games--which is the best chance for a Penn State loss?

After you take away the big three from last week’s question the schedule becomes pretty favorable for the men in blue and white. Minnesota will be a tough game and Michigan State always gives Penn State fits every 3 or 4 years and I wouldn’t count out Temple if Penn State is looking ahead to Iowa but for my money I think the Northwestern game seems a bit scary because…

The game falls between a game against Michigan at home and the looming trip to Columbus, the team could easily lose focus. The wildcats lose Kafka and a couple wide receivers but they return the entire line and the running game should be really good. Their weakness on defense is in the secondary but their front seven will be very good. The entire Wildcats team kind of plays against Penn State’s weaknesses and I think this game will be a tough out even if PSU is playing well. If they are looking ahead to Ohio State, this game could bite them in the ass.

Nick

While a quick glance at the schedule would seem to indicate Minnesota as a likely loss candidate because it’s a road game, possible early kickoff, I’ll go with 10/30 Michigan. While I don’t foresee great things from the Wolverines this fall, they could prove to be a thorn for the Nittany Lions. Penn State could be staring at 0-2 in their marquee match-ups to this point in the season and will be at home for an 8p.m. start and high expectations not to disappoint.

While it won’t be their first moment in the spotlight, it will be their first big moment to shine in Beaver Stadium. The youth of this team will need to be able to harness their emotions and keep their wits. Oh yeah, there might also be a 400lbs. gorilla in the room or stadium as it were, also known as Paterno’s potential win #400 on the line.

Mike

I try not to look at just one or two factors, but it's tough to ignore the returning starters and where the game will be played. For Penn State in 2010, I'm more worried about an opponent's defense, rather than the offense. Even if the PSU D gives up relatively poor numbers this season (remember, 18 ppg is poor for Scrap's unit), the offense has the bigger risk of an epic collapse in at least one game.

Minnesota and Indiana will be offense-heavy this year, while much weaker on defense. Kent State and YSU are, well, who they are. Illinois is better, but not upset-PSU-better. Temple, sorry Owl fans, will scare the hell out of Penn State fans this year coming in. But I'm just not convinced that Temple can last for four quarters against Penn State in Beaver Stadium. A half? Maybe. But not a full game.

Between Northwestern, Michigan, and Michigan State, all three return about seven offensive starters this fall, but Michigan returns more defensive starters (8) than the other two (6 each). All three games are in Beaver Stadium. Northwestern could be a huge trap game before the trip to Columbus, but Penn State rarely falls into the "looking ahead" situation. Usually, Penn State loses because the other team makes fewer mistakes, or is just better that day.

I'll go with Michigan. The Wolverines were eight points from starting 6-0 last season, and 10 points from finishing 7-5 and bowl eligible. Traditionally, Michigan simply unleashed their start power running back against Penn State, while playing great defense. The running back may not be there in 2010, but the defense might. And the seven returning offensive starters are enough to put more than a few points on the board, even in Beaver Stadium. The 2009 Michigan defense was as solid as quicksand at times, but with eight back, and two recruiting classes of better talent in the system, Michigan could once again become the bane of Happy Valley.

Ryan

It's going to come down to a team that can shut down the Lions run game, as it seems Paterno will finally pound with Royster for all he's worth. So give me a strong opposing linebacking corps, and I'll give you a Penn State defeat.

Now I have a strong feeling that Penn State will win more than one of the "other nine" games this season, but I'm banking on Michigan State. Book it, Lions are going down to Sparty, and losing the highly coveted Land Grant Trophy, and here's why.

1. Experienced Quarterback-After throwing for 2680 yards 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, Kirk Cousins returns for his second year at the helm in East Lansing. He figures to be one of the best passers in the Big Ten this season, and should cause problems for a PSU secondary that has traditionally proven suspect.

2. Greg Jones- I'll give you every other linebacker in the Big 10 this season, and bet you that Greg Jones will outperform every single one of them by season's end. Jones was arguably the best linebacker in the conference a year ago, and now returns for his senior season to even further dominate. The PSU-MSU matchup will feature a game within a game, two of the conference's best at their respective positions. Royster vs Jones. I give the edge to Jones.

3. "Home Field Advantage"- Talk about a double edged sword. Paterno complained about the season ending too early. Well Joe, you got your wish. The Lions will end their season one week later than normal. The bad news? That last game just happens to be the Saturday of Thanksgiving break. You think the student section was empty at times last year? This is going to be ugly, VERY ugly. While yours truly will make sure to cut his Thanksgiving break short, and make the trek up to State College on Black Friday, I'm not too sure many others will be joining me.

So those are the three reasons why I choose Michigan State as the most likely to knock off the Lions. But I wouldn't be surprised if they are alone. Don't look past any team on the schedule, particularly Temple and Michigan. Both teams return a lot of talent, and have proven their worth on the field.

Tim

If forced to at gunpoint, I would predict an 8-4 regular season. This would include the three games we're universally expected to lose (Alabama, Iowa, Ohio State) plus dropping a game we otherwise shouldn't due to our inexperience at QB. As to which game that would be, I think it's best if we use a little process of elimination to whittle down the candidates.

Thanks For Playing: Youngstown State, Kent State

Not Good, As In One in a Million (So, You're Telling Me There's a Chance?): Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Temple, Michigan

Hindsight Is 20/20: Northwestern, Michigan State

Before any Temple fans start flaming me in the comments section below and start thumping their chests about leading UCLA going into the 4th quarter of last year's EagleBank Bowl: UCLA is a mediocre at best Pac-10 program that is struggling to get into the upper echelon of the conference under Rick Neuheisel. The level of talent on that team pales in comparison to what Temple will be facing when they come to Happy Valley in late September.

It comes down to Northwestern. Over the past decade, they have consistently been a thorn in our side (save for 2002 and 2006 when we absolutely manhandled them): The Wildcats landed back-to-back wins during the Dark Years and had their defense been able to hold on, would've also beaten us in 2001 and 2005. Last year's game was a tight one as well, it was tied at 13 going into the 4th quarter before PSU decided to take off their Halloween costumes and actually play to their capabilities, scoring 3 TD's in less than 4 minutes to put the game out of reach. I also cringe to think about how that game would've ended had Mike Kafka not gotten his leg swept or if Mr. Miyagi could've given him a leg massage, PSU's defense seemed powerless to stop him. You could just see the air slowly deflating out of Northwestern's victory parade balloons once Dan Persa was forced into QB duties.

Perhaps it's the fact that that it's sandwiched in between a primetime showdown with Michigan and a road trip to Ohio State. Perhaps it's just because they almost always give us a good fight but this game scares me the most, without a doubt. I hope I am wrong on my prediction, but it wouldn't shock me if we were to drop the Northwestern game...

These are my incoherent thoughts that I typed up as an 8 AM zombie, and I'm sticking to them.

Which is the biggest landmine for Penn State?

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Thursday Question: Beating Alabama, Iowa, or Ohio State

Be sure to vote in the reader poll at the bottom of the post!

Kickoff is less than two months away, so we thought it would be good to start up our Thursday Question feature again. So, over the next few weeks, the LBU staff will each give their own take on a variety of topics heading towards the 2011 football season.

Today's Thursday Question: Alabama, Iowa, Ohio State--which is the best chance for a Penn State win?

Galen

I’ll do this in the order of probability of victory (from least to most), which is to say that I don’t think Penn State has much of a chance against any of them but that wasn’t the question.

Alabama - the tide have the returning Heisman Trophy winner, 9 offensive starters and oh by the way, did I mention they won the national title last season? Yeah Penn State optimists like to point to the retooled defensive line and loss of all but two starters on defense but Nick Saban is a master recruiter and they will reload this year. Now they will drop off a bit but the offense will bail them out until the D gets their legs. I don’t think this is close, if Penn State can run the ball, eat some clock and Newsome doesn’t turn the ball over the Nittany Lions have a chance to keep it close but that’s way too many ‘ifs’.

Ohio State – looking at OSU’s schedule it’s not a very big leap of faith to believe the Buckeyes will be undefeated when they take on PSU late in the season. An early game against Miami (of the Florida variety) might prove difficult but it’s in Columbus. The only other game that stands out is a mid October trip to Madison to take on the Badgers, get by that and they probably will be at worst a one-loss team. Throw in the fact that Penn State has to travel to Columbus and I don’t have a very good feeling about it.

Iowa - as sorry as am to say this, I believe the early game against the Hawkeyes will be the best chance of the trio for victory. Penn State will have three cupcakes sandwiched around the mulling in Tuscaloosa while Iowa’s toughest test will come against Arizona in Tucson. If they lose to the Wildcats they may be ripe for the picking. Iowa had a great year last season and I don’t want to take anything away from what they accomplished but let’s face it they won a LOT of close games that could have gone either way. They had a bunch of good things go their way until the end of the season when Stanzi got hurt. I’m not saying they were lucky, you sometimes create your own luck but they just had things all go their way for most of the year. In the end I think Penn State loses to all thee but if you are gonna force me to choose which team is the best chance for victory I choose you, Iowa Hawkeyes.

Mike

Don't hate me for saying this. Penn State has a better shot at beating Alabama, than it does at beating Ohio State or Iowa. There is only one reason why I went with the Crimson Tide: Defense. Alabama will be the consensus No. 1 to start the season. But would they really be No. 1 if they didn't win the BCS Championship Game last season? Doubt it.

Let me run off some names here: Terrence Cody, Rolando McClain, Javier Arenas, Kareem Jackson, Marquis Johnson, and Brandon Deaderick. What do they all have in common? Well, first they all started on defense for Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Second, they were all drafted. And third, none of them are back in 2010. But those aren't the only players on Alabama's Rose Bowl starting defense that won't be on the field when Penn State visits Tuscaloosa on Sept. 11. In fact, it's much easier to tell you which defensive starters will be returning for this season: safety Mark Barron. That's it, folks.

This game will come down to a choice between two battles. Penn State's offense vs. the Alabama defense. Or Alabama's offense vs. Penn State's defense.

I will gladly take Penn State's offense. That's not going to be the popular answer here, on the message boards, or anywhere else in the Nittany Nation. But compare what Penn State will go up against in Tuscaloosa, to what will take the field in Columbus and Iowa City. Ohio State will return six starters on defense, eight on offense; Iowa returns eight on defense, six on offense. And we already know what most of those starters are capable of. Each side of the Hawkeyes and Buckeyes has a majority of its starters returning. Meanwhile, Bama's 2010 defense will be the single most inexperienced unit the Nittany Lions will face all season, period. No other team has to replace ten of eleven starters on one side of the football.

There will be, undoubtedly, a home-field advantage for Alabama. The Tide will have the benefit of a good quarterback, a good running back (or two), and a great receiver. And the loss of Navorro Bowman, Sean Lee, and Jared Odrick will of course give a bonus to the Tide's offense in this game. However, it won't be nearly the bonus given to the Nittany Lions offense by the Alabama defense. Do you seriously think that the Tide run defense will be remotely as good as last year, without Cody and McClain? Or that the pass defense will have nearly the shut-down ability, without Javier Arenas or Robby Green?

This pick could turn out to be the worst I've ever made. But I'm sticking with it. I could break down every individual matchup of this game (that's for game week), but of all three opponents we asked in this week's question, Penn State has the single most favorable unit-vs-unit matchup of them all. No other game offers Penn State such a wide open chance to take pressure off its defense, than by going up against a defensive unit that's going to be arguably worse than Penn State's offense.

Tim

I'm highly tempted to say "Ohio State" or "Alabama" just to simply spite everyone and shake things up. Alas, I can't do it...Yes, PSU finally exor-ciiiised the demons in Columbus back in '08 but let's face it: If it weren't for then-frosh and already-annointed world-beater of a QB Terrelle Pryor's youthful indiscretion, the long losing streak at Ohio State would remain active as of today. Expect the offense to go into its typical conservative shell at Ohio State and get shellacked in mid-November by a Buckeye team that will be peaking at just the right time.

As for Bama: Sure, they've lost all but two defensive starters but let's remember that 1) Saban's been stockpiling talent over the past few years, which means those new defensive starters will have to rely solely on their own physical gifts. This is not exactly a worst-case scenario for a head coach. 2) Every key player from last year's offense is back, including Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, who will be likely splitting carries with stud backup Trent Richardson. The Crimson Tide may have some trouble stopping their opponent from scoring, but they should have very little trouble doing so themselves. If Penn State is going to keep this one close, they will need to find a way to get a couple of turnovers and create a short field for the offense which, mind you, will be led by a QB making his very first road start. Yeah, let's forget about this one too, shall we?

This brings us to Iowa, a game that I'm also pretty confident we're going to lose. Kirk Ferentz owns JoePa the way Lloyd Carr did back when he coached at Michigan. Like he used to do when facing Lloyd Carr's teams, JoePa tends to stick to a conservative gameplan that plays right into the hands of Kirk Ferentz, whose Iowa squad tends to come up with those one or two clutch defensive plays that turn the game around in their favor. Last year, you had the safety and the blocked punt, in 2008 there was Tyler Sash's interception which ultimately set up the upset-clinching field goal, in 2004...Okay, we're not re-hashing those painful memories but you get my drift.

With all of that said, Iowa is the game I would pick as the one PSU is most likely to win. Let's remember that the Hawkeyes had to win numerous tight games that could have gone either way in order to even remain in the national title discussion heading into November. What if that safety and/or blocked punt against PSU never happen? What if Indiana finally learns how to defend a lead while Ricky Stanzi continually tries to hand them the game? What if Michigan State's notoriously shitty pass defense held strong one final time and kept Iowa from scoring their first touchdown of the night (which also happened to be the game-winning TD)? Can we continue to expect the Hawkeyes to be on the winning side of such contests? Surely, they're going to end up on the wrong of things if they keep up these bi-polar performances, and oh how sweet it would be if PSU were the team to finally bite them in the ass...

Ryan

This is a tough one. All three of these teams expect to enter the season ranked among the top 10 teams in the country, with Alabama and Ohio State likely 1 and 2. None of these teams will be an easy task for a Penn State team that will struggle against the middle of the Big Ten, let alone the cream of the crop. Playing these teams on the road makes winning even more improbable, especially with a first year (and likely mediocre) starter at quarterback.

Alabama -- ESPN is going to hype it up. Two of the great traditions in college football. The shadows of Bear Bryant against the legendary Joe Pa. Game Day will be in attendance. And Lee Corso will certainly not put on the Lion head. Understandably so. This game should be over in a hurry. Heisman Trophy winning running back Mark Ingram will be foaming at the mouth to go up against the brand new linebacker corps. Julio Jones comes into the season as one of the best receivers in the country, better than any receiver any of the Lion cornerbacks have faced, save maybe Eric Decker.

Then there's the Crimson Tide defense. Sure they have to replace Rolando McClain and Mount Terrence Cody, but the rest of the unit is coming back in full force. It will be the first start against a Division 1-A opponent for whoever will be starting at quarterback for the Lions. Royster will get more than his share of carries (finally) but this game won't be close. Too early in the season for the Lions newcomers to get on the same page, and 'Bama will win by at least 20.

Ohio State -- Holy Buckeye is Ohio State going to be tough to beat, again. This late season match-up will feature Pryor vs the Lions, Part 3. This one in Columbus, where the Buckeyes rarely lose. Ohio State brings virtually their entire roster back from a year ago, with one exception: their secondary. Lucky for fans of the sweater vest, Ohio State won't be facing much of a passing existence, let alone a threat. I expect Cameron Heyward to pressure the quarterback early and often, and will propel the possibly undefeated Buckeyes even closer to a return to the BCS National Championship.

Iowa -- When Iowa is the best chance for a Penn State victory, you know there's problems. Just ask Daryll Clark, or Jamelle Cornley for that matter. They fiend for blue and white blood, and if Adrian Clayborn, was able block Jeremy Boone, imagine what he can do against punter TBD. Special teams will be an issue for the Lions in this game, but if PSU can avoid the dumb mistakes, they may actually have a shot. While Iowa features a daunting front four, including Clayborn and Karl Klug, they also have a few new linebackers to break in. Defensive back Tyler Sash will eliminate the deep ball, but the short passing game could be open for McGloin or Newsome to exploit.

As for the Iowa offense, well Ricky Stanzi is no Joe Montana, and the Penn State defensive ends are fully capable of pressuring and rattling the veteran quarterback. If Devon Still amounts to the hype he is receiving, then he and Ollie Ogbu should be capable of holding the Iowa running back tandem in relative check.

If given a choice, I'd say Penn State goes 0-for-3 against these top teams. But being forced to pick one, the Lions will edge out the Hawkeyes in a low scoring affair on the road.

Which is the best chance for a Penn State win?

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Thursday Question: Spring Position Battles, pt. 2

Michael Mauti (42) is near 100 percent recovered from his ACL tear last summer, but the coaches have kept him clean so far this spring.

The LBU staff tackles part two of our Thursday Question: What's the most intriguing offensive position battle this spring? Today, we look at the defensive battles.

Galen

I took the high road on offense but I have no shame on defense, this is Linebacker U and I’m looking forward to the battle at the namesake position Michael Mauti was supposed to start last season before tearing his ACL so he will definitely be one of the starting three. Chris Colasanti and Bani Gbadyu are both seniors that have plenty of game experience so they will probably be the default starters going into spring. But with Mauti sitting out spring ball for precautionary reasons, you can bet the coaches will get a good look at all the linebackers on the roster.

Michael Zordich, Michael Yancich and Nathan Stupar will see plenty of playing time but what this position lacks in experience it more than makes up for in talent. Former safety Gerald Hodges and freshmen linebackers Glenn Carson and Khairi Fortt will be given ample opportunity to show what they’ve got. I wouldn’t be surprised to see eight or nine different linebackers get serious playing time in the blue/white game. This position is wide open this year.

Mike

The politically correct response would be to say I'm interested in the linebackers. I am, sort of. But I'm not "OMG" interested in them. There are about nine linebackers on the roster that would start for any BCS program. The coaches will find who fits best, so I'm not worried. The position that intrigues me the most is the secondary. Sure, there is talent back there--supposedly--but do we know what that unit can really do, should it face a dynamite passing attack this season? Seriously, don't you dare say Penn State faced a single good passing team in 2009, because the Nittany Lions did no such thing.

Let's see, Chaz Powell moved to the starting corner spot, and... wait, WHAT? Yeah, Penn State has been forced to move a wide receiver, who hasn't been on defense since 2007, to be the starting corner. I get it that Drew Astorino is out, necessitating the move of D'Anton Lynn from corner to safety. But is Powell really the second-best option to Lynn? I've heard great things about the young guys like Derrick Thomas and Steven Obeng-Agyapong (without looking up the spelling, thank you very much!), but not much outside of their "potential" to be good.

With so many great linebackers fighting for starting jobs, guys like Mike Yancich (33) will most likely battle for the second team spots, which can be just as important to a defense like Penn State's.

Nick

On defense, I'm less intrigued by a position battle than I am in how they utilize Gerald Hodges. In my eyes, he was the most impressive player on the field in last year's Blue-White Game and was disappointed in the lack of use he got during the season. The roster has his listed as a LB, but he's been in the secondary so we'll see what plans they have for him. The revelation Chaz Powell has been seeing reps with the D unit has me interested as well.

Tim

I am looking forward to the steel cage match better known as the linebacker position battle. If you think that starting group of Gbadyu-Colasanti-Stupar is set in stone, you're kidding yourself. Michael Mauti is still recovering a knee injury but should be healthy enough by August, not to mention LB/Safety hybrid Gerald Hodges and froshes Khairi Fortt (who is already enrolled and will be playing in the Blue-White game) and Mike Hull will be fighting for some decent playing time, even if it's highly unlikely to be a starting spot. I'm also curious to see if one of the other Mikes in the linebacking corps (Yancich and Zordich) can crack the two-deep at any of the positions. If forced at gunpoint to name the starting linebackers by the Youngstown State game I'd go with Gbadyu, Mauti, and Stupar, but this is highly subject to change depending on what occurs over the next several months.

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Thursday Question: Spring Position Battles, pt. 1

The exit of Daryll Clark leaves a gaping hole in the offensive starting lineup. The Nittany Lions have multiple positions to fill this off-season.

Spring football is a time when great teams are made. Penn State in 2010 is no different. With so many key leadership positions vacated by long-time starters, the Nittany Lions have a ton of work to do over the next 24 days.

oday, the task is to name the position battles this spring--one on offense, one on defense--that we are looking forward to the most, in this week's Thursday Question: What's the most intriguing offensive position battle this spring?

Galen

It would be easy to talk about the imminent quarterback battle about to ensue this spring but I think I’ll leave that argument for the lazy reporters that get paid for this, I’m sure you’ll be sick of hearing about the “quarterback controversy” soon enough, I won’t pile on. The running back and wide receiver positions are just about set and while there are some offensive line positions yet to be determined, I think the most important position to fill on offense is the tight end. It’s easy to forget the tight end in Penn State’s offense, it is seldom used in the passing game, but it’s a very important cog when it comes to blocking, not only for the passing game but for the running game as well.

Four-year starting tight ends Andrew Quarless (10) and Mickey Shuler (82) are also graduated and off to the NFL this spring. Can Penn State find a capable replacement following a record-breaking season for Nittany Lions tight ends?

Gone to graduation are Andrew Quarless and Mickey Shuler a very good one, two combo last season. After those two the remaining options are a bit green. Andrew Szczerba gets the starting nod only by default because he is the guy with experience, and by “experience” I mean he did have a catch last season. Szczerba blew up the blue/white game last year but then disappeared on the depth chart. Behind him are Mark Wedderburn a redshirt sophomore and possibly senior erstwhile wide receiver Brett Brackett. Brackett is an intriguing player this spring, his name is mentioned at wide receiver, quarterback and tight end. If I were a betting man I would put a sawbuck on Brackett ending up at tight end.

Mike

This might sound strange, but I'm really hoping for a good race at right tackle. If you unfortunately remember the entire 2009 campaign on the right side of the offensive line, you know very well how important it is to have strong links at all five line positions. With the move of DeOn'tae Pannell over to the left side, and the interior line pretty much settled, the right tackle spot is the big question mark as the Nittany Lions enter spring practice. It's been several seasons since I can honestly say I have no idea who will end up on the first team line when spring turns to summer. Adam Gress and Eric Shrive are inexperienced redshirt freshmen, while Mike Farrell is a year older, but hardly a veteran. Throw in about one or two more darkhorses, and you've got yourself a clusterf@ck for right tackle in 2010. By the Blue-White Game, I'm hoping for at least two players to separate themselves from the rest.

Nick

Obviously, it goes without saying the QB is where the offensive attention will be until the first snap of the fall. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you'll get a whole lot of nothing out of the Blue-White Game. What you will get is stripped down, basic plays with easy reads. Unless someone gets happy feet and breaks a big run, there won't be much excitement in that department. It will, however, feed into a multitude of dynamic what ifs to ponder until the regular season (two/three qb sets? wildcat? etc.), which given the lack of football will keep us happily occupied.

Tim

I hate to pick the obvious answer but how can you NOT be intrigued by the quarterback competition? Newsome will win it out in the end, but right now if we were to take JayPa's word as gospel, it sounds as if Matt McGloin has been the most impressive passer. Obviously, the more reps Paul Jones takes, the more likely it becomes that he lands the #2 spot on the depth chart over the backup darkhorse McGloin. Oh, and don't forget Robert Bolden, he'll likely redshirt in the end due to being behind the other three as far as knowing the playbook goes, but don't act like you're not curious to see if he can possibly shake things up when he arrives to Happy Valley this Summer.

Next week: Part 2, defensive battles

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Thursday Question: Will Notre Dame finally crack?

Since the Big Ten announced it would look into expansion, plenty of programs have flown across the media radar as potential additions to the nation's oldest athletic conference. Pittsburgh... Missouri... Texas... Rutgers... each one at one point a "sure thing" to be the 12^th member of the Big Ten. Notre Dame, the Big Ten's perpetual tease, wasn't really even considered. That's mostly due to the conference's previous overtures to the Fighting Irish, overtures that at one point came so close, Notre Dame was just one board-room meeting away from agreeing to join. Since that February day in 1999, Notre Dame has been the focal point of distrust from Big Ten loyalists. But that might all change, as news broke this week Notre Dame could change course from its staunch football independence.

This all leads to our Thursday Question: Will Notre Dame finally crack, and join a football conference?

Thursday Question: Changes to Recruiting

The active recruitment of high school football players begins years before they sign that letter of intent. But this week, ESPN.com posted an article interviewing several of the most important college coaches, including Mack Brown and Tom Bradley. They were asked about the recruitment of high school juniors, and what we got was a mixed bag. It seemed that Bradley was the only one in favor of tightening up the system, even though it was Penn State that practically invented the junior-grade recruitment practice.

Thursday Question: Paterno v. Bowden, the Finale

Earlier this week, the NCAA officially, and finally, took away 12 of Bobby Bowden's wins. With the coaching legend's retirement this past season, that leaves little doubt as to which college head coach will go down as the solitary leader in major college career wins: Joe Paterno.

But having the career wins record doesn't necessarily make Paterno the best coach of all time, does it? Well, that's why we asked this week's Thursday Question...

Joe Paterno: Great Coach? Or Greatest Coach?

Galen

Let me start off by saying I consider more than wins and losses when I’m deciding how good a coach is, and if you had an 18-year old star football player about to make his college choice I think you would as well. When it’s all said and done, Joe Paterno will be remembered for his wins and losses for sure, but he’ll be remembered more for the impact he’s had on so many lives of young men. When Paterno hangs it up they’ll be more fluff pieces written by the same hacks that said he should be fired a few years ago than we’ll be able to handle but I’ve been there all along. I’ve always loved JoePa not only because he was a great coach but because he was a great mentor for a lot of kids. All his All-Americans are great but the multitude of Academic All-Americans is testament to the Paterno way. When Paterno came to Happy Valley the school was nothing more than an agg college, he helped put it on the map. His football program pays for the rest of the athletic department. There’s a library that bears his name. Yeah, he’s had a bit of an impact at Penn State. In my mind there was never a better coach and there never will be a better one, the wins record is just a part of it.

Mike

Had this all happened five years ago, I would have said that Bear Bryant was still the greatest major college coach of all time. However, the fact that Joe Paterno has managed to bring his program back from the brink of collapse--particularly during such a different era in college football compared to when the Bear was coaching--to win not only 50 games in five seasons, but to come within two seconds of two national title games, take home four major bowl wins in five seasons, and field record-breaking Penn State teams, that all seals the deal for Paterno's legacy and legend. It's been more than eight years since JoePa has passed The Bear on the all-time wins list. But I'm not sure that record would have meant half as much if Paterno was forced to leave in 2004, in a similar fashion to Bowden's exit last season. Bowden won two national titles--same as Paterno--but wasn't able to have really consistent, high-level success until the late-1980s. But I would have to say that even though I never considered Bowden's Samford wins part of the discussion, it is a shame that it had to end the way it did. As a sports fan, I always love a dramatic ending, and this was far from that.

Tim

There's no doubting JoePa being a great coach when you look at his full body of work. Seriously, name me another Division 1 head coach who has produced even half of JoePa's win total and done so without getting their program on probation for recruiting violations or in some sort of major academic/legal hot water, all the while graduating players at a ridiculously high clip. Now, if you want to get into the 'greatest coach' label: That's tricky because it depends on the criteria you're using to base it upon. Are you looking at just win totals? What about winning percentage? Or what about the ability to beat the best teams in your league on a regular basis? We all know how much Joe has struggled against Jim Tressel's Buckeyes, Lloyd Carr's Michigan teams, and Kirk Ferentz's Iowa squads, surely those have to count as a few blows to his 'greatest coach' labeling if you're taking them into consideration. And what about guys like Eddie Robinson and John Gagliardi? Yes, they're not Division 1 coaches but both have more wins than JoePa and both are statuesque legends at their respective schools as well. Shouldn't they also be considered for the 'greatest coach' label?

(Nick had to sit this play out, but should be ready to crack some heads on the next series)

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Thursday Question: Grading the Class

Each Thursday the staff at Linebacker-U.com will choose a topical question to answer in a roundtable format. Up this week, the staff will grade Penn State's 2010 recruiting class. So I guess it's not really a question this week, but an assignment: Grade the 2010 Recruiting Class

Thursday Question: The best coaching destinations

Each Thursday the staff at Linebacker-U.com will choose a topical question to answer in a roundtable format. In our inaugural Thursday Question, we figured that with all the coaching changes going on around college football, this was the most obvious for this week: What are the best coaching destinations in college football?

We came up with our top three schools from the BCS conferences, plus one more from a non-automatic BCS qualifying conference...

Galen:

I base my list on three criteria... 1. Major relevance – I want to play for a national title if I go undefeated; 2. Recruiting – make my job easier; 3. Warm weather – makes #2 easier and frankly I’m sick of PA winters.

USC – Pete Carroll left an indelible mark on USC making it the sexy choice for most high school kids. And really, how hard is it to sell this place, you’ve got L.A., Beverly Hills, and Huntington Beach only a 30 minute drive away. If Lane Kiffin can’t succeed there as a head coach he should be unceremoniously run out of football at any level.

Florida – Two words for you: Erin Andrews. Ok, not just her specifically but fine looking young women with year-round tans, and did I mention spring-breakers as well? Florida sells itself in this area, and while maybe not as sexy as USC, it’s certainly not hard to get 18-year olds to want to come and play there.

Texas – Texas may not have the sex appeal or the fine Floridian women, but they have one thing that all coaches want: a gigantic home-state football recruiting pool. Every major school shops around in the state of Texas and coaching at the state’s #1 college football school (sorry Tech) gives you a major advantage.

Florida International - Can you tell it's been a very cold winter in central Pennsylvania? I like FIU because they are right next to Miami (Florida recruiting), they play a lot of the big boys (exposure), they suck (it would be a challenge) and I've always wanted to coach at an airport (insert Sarcmark).

Mike:

I'm really big on tradition, pageantry and all that jazz. Otherwise, I'd probably be a bigger NFL fan. The weather, believe it or not, isn't that big a deal for me. Sure, it would help recruiting, but there have been plenty of national titles won by schools with snow waiting for them when the come home from the bowl game. But what it comes down to is the fanbase and the facilities. If you can say your school has the best of both, then your set. Plus, I'm sure everyone else is going to pick schools you'd expect, like USC or Miami. So, I'll try to make my picks interesting.

Nebraska – If you can handle the corn and the mullets, Big Red has got to be on this list. The school has won a gazillion games, has fantastic facilities, and the absolute most loyal fans in the history of American sports. I mean, seriously, they haven't missed a sell-out home game since 1962! That's 304 games ago, people. The pressure is great to win in Lincoln; but if you do, there's no limit to how far the program and its community will go to make you happy.

Washington – Have you seen the Huskies' campus? It's probably the most picturesque in-stadium gameday experience any college football fan could have. From inside one of the loudest stadiums in America, you can have a great view right out onto Union Bay in Lake Washington. The recruits might not flock to Seattle like an SEC state, but the facilities are fantastic and the fan base has always been there.

Penn State – Don't say it. I was actually very close to leaving Happy Valley off my list. After all, who really wants to follow Joe Paterno? But it really wouldn't be all that bad. If you include the largest stadium in North America, Penn State probably has the best football facilities in the world. Throw in a pretty darn good recruiting base from Virginia to Ohio to New York City; Penn State is, hands down, a coaching dream job.

TCU - I'm not an overtly religious person, but Texas Christian has all the moving pieces of a great football program. The Horned Frogs have a superb football tradition that goes back before facemasks; the Lone Star State is probably the single best recruiting base in college football; and you would be right near the major Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.

Nick:

The Top-2 coaching destinations would have to be Texas and Florida, because of the inherent advantage of in-state talent and nice weather. USC would have been on this list too, but the fear of a NCAA crackdown scared me off that option. Other potential substitutes would be: Florida State, Miami, South Florida and UCLA.

For the remaining choice I’d have to go with Ohio State, also in a fertile recruiting ground without the weather. A prestige program, similar things can be said of Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan and Penn State.

Fresno State would have to be my non-BCS school, far better weather than Boise State and in-state talent to grab. The only real roadblock year after year appears to be the Broncos and given the anywhere/anytime approach to OOC scheduling would boost up the weak conference slate.

Tim:

I don’t know about the others, but I had a difficult time reducing this to just three. That’s because I could name my top four in my sleep. With that being said, here’s the criteria I used to determine my picks.

* Recruiting (Are you THE school in your state that most young football players dream of playing for someday?)
* Support (Does your athletic department have the cash to flaunt around and bring you the best facilities and booster support possible?)
* Fan base (Is your team’s bandwagon the largest in its respective state?)
* Weather (I don’t put as much emphasis on this for a coach, but it certainly does come across the minds of recruits. Hence, it can be a factor)

1. USC – Let’s see: Beaches, babes, nice weather year-round, and thanks to Pete Carroll, the best recruits in California practically come flocking to you.

Since Lane Kiffin ought to keep the wheels on the program recruiting-wise, this job will finally help to point out what a disgustingly mediocre gameday coach he truly is. Congrats USC, you just hired your own Charlie Weis.

2. Ohio State – Yes, the weather may leave more to be desired but otherwise, what’s there not to love? A rich athletic department, being the most popular sports team in the state of Ohio (the Browns and Bengals don’t even come close), and having a virtual chokehold on recruits in your state (spare me the Cincinnati talk, they don’t hold a candle to OSU in recruiting) makes this job an extremely difficult one to pass on.

3. Texas – It’s located in the Mecca of American high school football, in which the top recruits flock to Austin if they’re lucky enough to be offered. That, combined with one of the wealthiest athletic departments in the nation throwing their support behind you makes this in my humble opinion, a dream job for any coach.

Non-AQ: Boise State - Forget the foundation of winning that’s being laid down, they play on freakin’ blue turf…Smurf turf! What 3-star recruit ignored by the USC’s of college football could resist that?

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