You thought last week was important?

Penn State could embarrass Michigan
under the lights... again.

Ok, it really was important. The win at Iowa, the first for a Franklin-coached Penn State team over a ranked opponent on the road, was a big hurdle for the program and its prospects the rest of the season. But if this season were a 110-meter hurdle race, there's still about 70 meters to go, and the rest of the hurdles just get bigger and bigger.

For the second week in a row, I came close on the score prediction. I expected Penn State to put more points on the board. Should have known better.

Moving on to this Saturday night. I won't be there. The pain is real, but I've had to miss big games in the past. Nothing will compare to missing the 2016 Ohio State game. I debated going right up until it was too late to go. Never forgive myself for that one.

All signs point to Penn State over Michigan... big. The trip to Kinnick prepared this very young Penn State team for a dogfight, for which I think they're ready. Michigan looks fragile. The Wolverines got past Iowa, in the Big House, by scoring 10 in the first quarter and riding it out. That will definitely not fly in Beaver Stadium.

As Michigan has struggled all season to find its identity and rhythm, Penn State is now approaching cruising speed. The Nittany Lions were able to overcome a very slow start last week, so anything short of that this week bodes well for the home team. Sean Clifford won't have the same anxiety that showed at Iowa. With Noah Cain emerging as a ball-control beast, the formula seems right for a dominant win. Minimize the turnovers and penalties, and this one could get out of hand quickly.

I just can't imagine Penn State losing this game, at home, in front of a White Out crowd, with GameDay in town, and millions more on TV. The pick: Penn State 45, Michigan 17.

Linkbacker U. Cannot Keep Up With Columbus Goings On (Big Ten SPEEED Edition)

Why a pic of a "White House" game? You'll see.

There are two ongoing stories so far this offseason that require an unbelievable amount of attention that keeping up with either, let alone both, is near impossible. We will cover neither in the Linkbackers, with the exception of linking the good Doctor here for the Fiesta Bowl drama (featuring Graham Spanier) and here for the Ohio State nonsense. Now that that's out of the way, on to the news.

LBU Video: Team Aisle 'Rock & Roll'

The Blue Band version of the Hey Song is "Rock & Roll," and is the song usually played while the band is in "Team Aisle" before the team runs out from the tunnel. Most fans probably just think of it as the "Let's Go PSU!" song. Anyway you know it, it's one of my favorite cheers during a Penn State game, for the sheer fact that--besides the "We Are..." cheer--the entire stadium is fully engaged in one single cheer.

Add in the night game White Out factor, and you have one heaping portion of awesomeness...



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Linkbacker U is hailing to the Lion

Walking in the Lion's Shoes

Ever wonder what it would be like to be the Nittany Lion? Then keep reading. NittanyWhiteOut.com had a chance to talk to him one on one. Interesting fact, the sporting events that we see him at is only the beginning of his job as the Lion.

"Sporting events makes up probably less than half of my events. I pretty much do anything that involves with Penn State, whether it be walk-a-thons or conventions held in State College, or doing a photo shoot for a Penn State web site."

Good to hear that athletics don't comprise his entire job, or else this year's losing would get old pretty quickly.

Could Only be the Tip of the Iceberg

Sorry to break it to you Penn State fans, but you may have to get used to the pessimism surrounding this Lions program. Because while Silas Redd and Stephfon Green have shown signs, Pennlive.com thinks Royster's departure could mean deja vu all over again.

"The following season, with the All-American Johnson replaced by freshman Austin Scott, the Nittany Lions registered the 32nd-worst differential in rushing yards per game over the last 20 years. In 2003, the Lions’ ground game dropped an average of 107 yards per game compared to the year before.

The Lions could be set up for a similar downfall following this season. Senior Evan Royster will undoubtedly break Curt Warner's career rushing record and could be taken in the first round of April's NFL Draft. The Lions will have a hard time replacing Royster, a surefire bet for 1,000 yards, in 2011."

I'm not quite as worried about the 2011 running game as the folks at PennLive are, but there is no denying that replacing Royster will be no easy task.

It's a Family Business

Like so many other Lions over the years, guard Stefen Wisniewski bleeds blue and white...literally. For you readers who are seasoned enough to remember the days of Steve Wisniewski dominating opposing defensive lineman, you would be hard pressed to find anyone that's better than he was in his prime. >Well, Steve can think of someone, his nephew Stephen.

"I'll be the first to say Stefen's a better football player than I was at this point in his career," Steve Wisniewski said."

Next up for Stefen, to follow in his uncle's foot steps by being named All-American.

"I've always been trying to be the best player in the country," Wisniewski said. "So seeing myself named [All-American], I think it's a cool honor. But I realize that preseason honors don't mean too much, and it just means that I have to work that hard to try to keep myself up there."

400 Wins isn't Big Enough?

There has been a lot made of the decision to not feature a White House game this football season due to lack of competition (and perhaps the unspoken lack of talent on the home side). But Adam Rittenberg received an interesting question that could make the Michigan game every bit deserving of the full stadium white out.

Matt from NYC writes: Adam, I am surprised they are completely disregarding the Michigan game as a whitehouse. There is a good chance that game could be JoePa's 400th win, if psu loses to 'bama and Iowa before hand, something that as a Penn State fan is saddening, but in reality a highly likely scenario. You think feelings around Happy Valley would change if this game has the potential to be number 400?

Matt, I was thinking the exact same thing when I saw the news about no White House for 2010. It would be nice if Penn State could reassess the situation in early October, but it sounds like this is an event that must be scheduled way in advance. Paterno certainly could be going for No. 400 against Michigan, but he also might reach the milestone by that point. I also think Penn State doesn't need anything extra, like a White House, to celebrate Paterno and win No. 400. Even without the White House, the Michigan game has the potential to have a great atmosphere."

Personally, I'm with Adam on this one. If Paterno has a chance to win his 400th at home, it doesn't matter what the fans are wearing, Beaver Stadium BETTER be rocking regardless.

Cowboy Up

And no that is not a reference to the 2004 Boston Red Sox, but PSU alum Sean Lee. Great feature about his progress in the NFL with his new Cowboy team today. Take a read on the Cowboys website.

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