Rose Bowl/USC update, Dec. 26

Ok, so I changed the name from "USC update" to "Rose Bowl update." I figured, since some of the things I'll put up aren't all about USC, "Rose Bowl" was more appropriate. On with today's dirt.

Just a quick rundown of issues we're looking at right now, regarding the Rose Bowl and USC Trojans:

• So, apparently, the 2008 Penn State Rose Bowl team is no different (or better?) than the 2007 Illinois Rose Bowl team. At least, according to Butkus Award winner Rey Maualuga.

"USC middle linebacker Rey Maualuga said Clark's mobility won't bother the Trojans, who are giving up only 7.8 points and 206 yards a game.

USC played in the Pac 10, away at Virginia and home against Ohio State. None of those teams had a quarterback (or team) like Penn State. Sure, you could compare Terrelle Pryor to Clark... in about two more years. But USC has not faced anything like the kind of complete-team performer that is Penn State this season. I know the article was about containing a running quarterback, but the story made it sound like that is all USC has to worry about. When, actually, Clark's running ability was far from a key component to the Penn State offense, as opposed to Michael Robinson in 2005.

"If we've got everything locked down in practice and everyone does their assignments, we should have no problem with the running quarterback," said Maualuga, who has a team-best 73 tackles. Maualuga said that based on what he had seen of Clark on film, he rated him ahead of Illinois quarterback Juice Williams. In the 2008 Rose Bowl, the Trojans controlled Williams and won, 49-17."

Boy, Rey should have been named Academic All-American for that one. He rates 2008 Clark ahead of 2007 Williams. Never would have figured that one out. It is just ridiculous to compare last season's Illinois team to this year's Penn State team. It's not just the records (Illinois went 9-3), but no one in the world expected the Illini to beat USC in the 2008 Rose Bowl. And as good as Williams might have been during the 2007 regular season, he still had enormous flaws that we all knew about. Clark, meanwhile, has been given a very bad wrap this year for one throw–the interception at Iowa. No, he hasn't led this team to a fourth-quarter comeback, but he only had one chance to do that. That's how good this Penn State team can be. Rey needs to realize that before the game starts.

• You all know my love affair for CFN, and Pete Fiutak isn't helping me get over it. In his "Fiu's DAILY Cavalcade of Whimsy," he touches on the Paterno situation.

"Let's get a couple of things straight. First of all, Penn State is 11-1, won the Big Ten title, and is playing USC in the Rose Bowl. Penn State is 11-1, won the Big Ten title, and is playing USC in the Rose Bowl. Any one of those three things would make for a successful season by anyone's standards, and the Nittany Lions came within a last second Iowa field goal from playing for the national title. This year, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech would be the only teams that wouldn't trade résumés with Penn State, but Paterno should be gone just because he's old?!"

I know, he's not a Penn State homer by any means. That's why I like CFN. They are fair and balanced, will call out your team when they suck, and praise them when they're good. I'm not sure though, that I've been hearing so much negativity against the Paterno contract extension. I know it's out there, but there's just as much support for the move as there is against it. Fiu said...

"I got into a few arguments last week with people saying it's sort of sad that Paterno is sticking around, especially considering his current health status with a hip replacement. Who cares? If he wants to coach from the press box, or at least lord over his assistants, then let him. If he's in a vegetative state 15 years from no and all he can do is blink in the signals, you let him still coach his program."

...and imagine if Penn State beats USC?

• Quick outs: USC tailback Stafon Johnson did not practice Monday because of a kneecap injury, but the junior said he would play in the Rose Bowl against Penn State on Jan 1... Receiver Damian Williams (shoulder) was held out of practice to prevent him from negating progress made this week, Carroll said... Fullback Stanley Havili (ankle) remained sidelined. His status for the Rose Bowl is uncertain.

More USC/Rose Bowl updates:
Dec. 22

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Paterno staying for 3 more years

An early report says that Joe Paterno will sign a three-year contract to remain Penn State's football coach.

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It's 70 degrees, cloudy, and all I want to do is watch some Penn State football

Not too long ago, I said the posting on ZN might take a dip because of the off season and how boring it can be. Well, we all know where that went. From the Tyrelle Pryor thing to Joe Paterno's contract, and Chris "Cooking Knife" Bell, we just can't stay away. I almost wish none of this were going, if for no other reason than I just want a freaking break.

But I know that will certainly not happen. No, this Paterno contract will loom dark over Penn State for the remainder of 2008. Paterno and the Nittany Lions could be standing high on the podium at the Orange Bowl, accepting the BCS National Championship Trophy in January, and the first question to come out will be, "Coach, will you step down now?" What I'm almost dreading more, is if Penn State loses a game it shouldn't, or worse, to possibly the worst Michigan team in 40 years. It will be worse than the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse riding down Mount Nittany laying slaughter to Happy Valley on their way up the hill to Old Main.

I'm not going to add anything else today. I'm basically taking off from now until Monday. I have no idea what will happen before the Blue White Game, hopefully nothing. We all just need to calm down, count back from 10 (like that actually ever works) and breathe. I might even break out the old game tapes from 2005. Just remember though, if this whole Spread HD crap works out, it will be something to take our minds off all the other bullshit being caused by Paterno and Graham Cracker Spanier.

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Paterno Contract Talks On Hold

Joe Paterno isn't going anywhere, for now. The AP launched this bombshell of a story today. But should we be surprised? I don't know how this will turn out. Not many people do. All I can say is I hope people will just let it go for now, and concentrate on football. Yeah, right. Click below for the full AP story.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -Contract talks with Penn State coach Joe Paterno are on hold until the end of this season, when the 81-year-old's deal expires.

Penn State president Graham Spanier told The Associated Press in an e-mail that both the school and Paterno, who is entering his record 43rd season as head coach, agree a new deal isn't necessary right now.

"We are in agreement that a contract would have little practicality given Coach Paterno's seniority. None of us see that as necessary," Spanier wrote in the e-mail Wednesday night. "Our preference is to continue to review the status of the program on an annual basis, and we will next do so at the conclusion of the 2008 season."

Administrators and Paterno have met twice recently to discuss the football program, Spanier said. The two sides typically meet each offseason, though this year's meetings are drawing more attention because of Paterno's contract.

Paterno has not sought a new deal, and the university has not offered one, Spanier said. "I wish to reiterate my continuing support for Coach Paterno," he wrote at the beginning of his e-mail.

With 372 wins, Paterno is one behind Florida State's Bobby Bowden for most among major college coaches.

Spanier praised Paterno as the "most admired and accomplished football coach in America" and said he was grateful for his leadership.

Two weeks ago, Paterno said he wasn't worried about his situation, and wasn't looking for a new contract. He said he would be comfortable going year to year.

"I don't even care if I get a contract. I'll be very frank with you," Paterno said during the spring practice news conference. "I think the university will do what they think is right, whenever the time comes. Right now, I'm very comfortable."

Paterno later added, "If I've got to have a contract to keep my job here, I'm in the wrong place." He joked he could coach "just another 10 years."

Last month, athletic director Tim Curley said there was no timetable to make decisions Paterno's future.

During a break in a university trustees meeting in January, Spanier had said he expected Paterno to coach in 2008, but that he hadn't had chance to talk to him. Spanier also then declined comment on potential succession plans for Paterno.

Since then, Spanier said, he has spoken twice with Paterno, and the idea of a succession plan had been discussed.

Late last year, Florida State signed the 78-year-old Bowden to one more year with an option for another, while also designating offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher as "head coach-in-waiting."

Purdue earlier this year also announced that newly hired associate head coach Danny Hope would succeed head coach Joe Tiller after the 2008 season.

"With regard to succession planning, I want to assure everyone that the three of us are very mindful of the importance of a smooth transition and we are very confident that will occur when we reach that point," Spanier wrote.

Spanier said he respected the plans announced by other institutions, "but we feel that each university must evaluate its own approach."

"We will be prepared when the time comes, and of course we will identify someone who would continue Penn State's values and traditions, pursuing success in a way that makes us all proud while extending the great reputation we enjoy nationally," Spanier said.

Paterno reiterated two weeks ago that he wouldn't mind seeing someone on his staff follow in his footsteps.

"Whether that's in the cards, I don't know right now. It depends on when I get out of it," Paterno said then. "If I'm going to leave tomorrow, I would hope that it's in the cards, but I'm not planning on leaving tomorrow."

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