Boston College rivalry could renew

The word around Penn State is that Boston College could be the next BCS school added to the Lions' future non-conference slate. I haven't heard many details (none, actually), but people are saying that it could be a full-blown renewal of the old rivalry.

I would love to see this happen. Not only does this show that Tim Curley and the athletic department might have a set after all, but it would firmly replant the blue and white flag in the Northeast.

Plus, I'm still pissed off at the two losses I had to watch live during my sophomore and junior years. If you remember those games, particularly the 2004 edition, as well as I do, roughing the punter makes you sick.

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ZN Top 25: Week 9

For what seems like the first time ever, I'm actually more upset with the PSU defense than the PSU offense. So, in the spirit of this week's loss, at home, in front of a jacked up crowd, on a national telecast, I'm going to put forth a lackluster effort in this week's ZN Top 25 Rankings. I'm going to give it a half-assed job this week, just like Tom Bradley's defensive playcalling. I ranked PSU lower than Wisconsin, more out of spite than team talent. Obviously, PSU waxed the Badgers, so I think PSU should be around 24-25 in the AP and Coaches polls. This just shows how flawed the poll system is in college football.

1. Ohio State (LW: 1) - PSU might be a bit overrated, but that's what OSU should have done if it's really the No. 1 team.
2. Boston College (2) - Great "Flutie" moment; a bad win, though.
3. Oklahoma (3) - OU will have plenty of chances to prove its BCS worth in coming weeks.
4. LSU (4) - I really think this team is overrated; many disagree, but it did lose, and how many more were too close for comfort. I'm just saying that this team isn't the world-beater it was made out to be.
5. West Virgina (5) - Watch out fellow BCS conferences, WVU could land itself in the title game.
6. Oregon (7) - When was the last time a Pac-10 team was this hot?
7. Arizona State (6) - Oh yeah, never.
8. Kansas (10) - I really like this team to win out, but then get crushed by OU in the Big XII title game.
9. Missouri (9) - This program has been known for its late-season breakdowns; but that may not happen this season.
10. Georgia (23) - This team is really scary; if it only played like that from day one, it'd be on a collision course with the championship game.
11. Michigan (16) - UM is only this high because so many other teams suck so bad.
12. Florida (8) - Do you think UF fans are getting antsy?
13. Hawai'i (15) - Another team that moved up by default.
14. Connecticut (NR) - UConn won't win the Big East, but it will scare a lot of people right up until the end.
15. Boise State (NR) - It was only a matter of time before I came around and ranked the Broncos up here.
16. Virginia Tech (13) - How could the Hokies prevent Matt Ryan's destiny? They couldn't, that's why it's called destiny.
17. USF (11) - Wow, what a turn for the worse; three weeks ago, everyone had this as the darkhorse national title team, now, they may not even win the conference.
18. Alabama (18) - This week against LSU will be the same as PSU vs. OSU; Bama has its entire season on the line right now.
19. Texas (NR) - I still don't like how this team is performing; I thought Colt McCoy was supposed to make people forget about Vince Young.
20. Kentucky (12) - Talk about falling flat on your face; if Rich Brooks doesn't get his team out of bed right now, they better start packing for the Music City Bowl.
21. Wake Forest (NR) - Very quietly, the Demon Deacons have crept back into the conference race; will anyone else notice before it's too late?
22. Wisconsin (22) - I don't like ranking the Badgers here, but you'll find out why in a minute.
23. USC (17) - I am so tempted to completely rid my Top-25 of the Trojans; but a loss to a great team is not as bad as losing to Stanford in LA.
24. Auburn (24) - That USF loss isn't so excusable now; a nice rest this week should help the Tiger's team health.
25. Tennessee (NR) - OK, so the Vols beat USC; just remember how close they were to giving a major choke job.

Dropped Out:
Virginia (14) - That loss to NCSU is inexcusable; if this team is truly a championship caliber squad, it would have won, hands down.
California (19) - The bears are falling faster than George Bush's approval rating.
Penn State (20) - This is really more out of spite than anything; PSU looked pathetic at home.
South Carolina (21) - This team got just a bit too hyped; but it's still a growing program.
Cincinnati (25) - Nice story for a while; getting to a bowl is a great accomplishment and a testament to Brian Kelly's abilities.

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ZN Top 25: Week 8

For us Penn State fans, this week will mean the entire season. Let's do it fellas!

1. Ohio State (LW: 1) - The Buckeyes have beaten up on posers; OSU hasn't lost a regular-season game since it lost at PSU in 2005.
2. Boston College (3) - This team has been on the edge all year; if BC and QB Ryan can beat VT, he could punch his ticket to NYC.
3. Oklahoma (4) - Is anyone else thinking this team could end up in New Orleans? Even though it almost crapped out at ISU.
4. LSU (5) - Funny how things work: LSU beat AU, who beat UF, who beat UK, who beat LSU. Weird.
5. West Virgina (9) - Talk about a back-in conference title; not yet though, as RU has it out for last year's WVU win.
6. Arizona State (6) - This team will probably lose to USC, just to piss everyone off.
7. Oregon (11) - If UO beats USC, people will be singing in the streets.
8. Florida (12) - This team did lose two games; but they're still pretty darn good.
9. Missouri (13) - That was a win to propel Mizzou to the conference championship; got to get by KU first.
10. Kansas (15) No one thought KU would be undefeated at this point; the CU win was good enough to jump into the top-10.
11. USF (2) - Is the Cinderella ride over? Not quite.
12. Kentucky (8) - UK could end up being last year's Wisconsin.
13. Virginia Tech (14) - Still... not... sold; beat BC and this is a top-10 team.
14. Virginia (20) - UVA barely lost its first game; and barely won the rest.
15. Hawai'i (17) - Way too one-dimensional.
16. Michigan (22) - I hate ranking UM at all; but, sort of have to at this point.
17. USC (NR) - They're down here because, frankly, losing to Stanford is worse than losing to UO and App. St.
18. Alabama (NR) - This looks like a great 8-win team.
19. California (10) - Losing to the team that lost to ND is baaad.
20. Penn State (21) - If anyone didn't watch this game, you missed a doosie.
21. South Carolina (7) - We shouldn't be too surprised; Vandy almost beat UGA.
22. Wisconsin (24) - Ooo, big man beating up on the little runt; so you think you're tough now UW?
23. Georgia (23) - This team is so blah; sorry, nothing better to say this week about the Dawgs.
24. Auburn (18) - So... freaking... close; but no cigar.
25. Cincinnati (19) - Getting to a bowl is something to be proud of; doing it the way Cincy has is even better.

Dropped Out:
Texas Tech (16) - See? Running the ball, and playing a little defense can actually help you win.
Illinois (25) - This team couldn't handle the spotlight; had UM on the ropes, but failed to go for the kill.

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ZN Top 25, delayed comments

1. LSU (LW: 1) - This is the only team that "looks" like a national champion so far.
2. Ohio State (3) - OK, so Purdue was overrated; who isn't this season?
3. California (4) - Right now, there's no reason for the Bears missing out on the Rose Bowl berth.
4. Oklahoma (10) - Colorado is a much improved team, so the OU loss there isn't quite as bad; the UT win doesn't carry much weight this season.
5. Boston College (8) - I'm a bit cautious ranking BC here; but they're the best team in the ACC right now.
6. USF (6) - The rest of the Bulls' schedule is winnable; but can they do it after a poor showing against FAU?
7. Arizona State (12) - Undeafeated is undefeated; showdown with the Bears could decide the Pac-10.
8. South Carolina (13) - This USC team wouldn't lose to Stanford; remember their only loss was to LSU.
9. Missouri (20) - Nebraska isn't very good; but then again, Missou is.
10. Cincinnati (16) - I have a bad feeling about this week for the Bearcats; but they should get by UL.
11. Illinois (NR) - I know, I'm jumping on the Ilini bandwagon way too soon; but who else is actually impressive in the Big Ten?
12. West Virgina (15) - The 'Neers should win out, even with dates against RU and Cincy.
13. Wisconsin (5) - This team needs a defense, fast; but this week could be tough on the offense, going up against PSU.
14. Florida (9) - Watch for the SEC East to come down to the Gators and the Gamecocks.
15. Virginia Tech (18) - The Hokies will hang around long enough to challenge for the ACC title; but eveyone will still point to the LSU loss.
16. Oregon (19) UO lost to the best team in the Pac-10; but now has to worry about a WSU team that almost knocked off ASU.
17. Hawai'i (17) - The Warriors will remain here until they do something worth a higher ranking.
18. Kansas (24) - A team that has barely made bowl games is now one win away from clinching a berth; is it just me, or is the Big XII North more exciting now than the B12 South?
19. Florida State (NR) - Would anyone else be that surprised if the 'Noles made a run to the BCS?
20. Virginia (NR) - The Wyoming loss isn't as bad as it used to be; but barely beating MTSU is just scary.
21. Kentucky (7) - If the 'Cats are a good team, they'll rebound this week.
22. USC (2) - I was tempted to drop the Trojans out of the rankings; but honestly, there have been plenty of top teams that have fallen to bad opponents.
23. Georgia (11) - I know, I know; how could I not rank Tennessee here? Well, frankly, that loss was an oddity.
24. Indiana (NR) - Could this be the year that the battle over the Old Oaken Bucket actually means something other than bragging rights?
25. Purdue (14) - See above; this will either be a typical PU slide, or a chance to get back on the horse.

Dropped Out:
Kansas St. (21) - The UT win can only carry the 'Cats so far; this team will be better next season, after they go bowling.
Rutgers (22) - New Jersey has declared a state of emergency; but for once, it's not involving toxic chemicals.
Texas (23) - Watch out 'Horns, it's getting hotter in Austin these days; this is why Vince Young should have won the Heisman.
Michigan State (25) - Thank you Spartans, I almost forgot to turn my calendar to October; do the changing leaves trigger your annual autumn collapse?

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