'Cuse breakdown with Orange::44

Penn State hosts the Syracuse Orange this weekend, in what's been dubbed "Classic Day" by the folks in charge of marketing. Cute, but I'm more concerned with what's going down on the field, not in the stands. Penn State and Syracuse have played 69 times, as the Lions lead the series 41-23-5.

Today we'll hear from Brian Harrison, publisher of the fine Syracuse blog Orange::44. You may remember him stopping by last season. But what about 2009?

ZN: How badly did the Minnesota loss hurt? Or did it at all? What can the Orange team and fans take away from that game?

O44: Yes the Minnesota game hurt a little bit. When it is all said and done it is still a loss for Syracuse. However, this game was by far the most entertaining and competent game Syracuse fans have seen in the Carrier dome in a few years. More than anything, the game was encouraging and everyone took a small sense of relief from the game knowing that Syracuse may not be a great time, but that they are on the road to being a great time again.

ZN: Penn State handled a decent Akron team last week, 31-0 at the half. The Zips essentially picked their poison, committing to stopping the run and letting PSU shred them through the air (379 pass yards, 3 TDs). It actually worked, as PSU had trouble on the ground, and if it wasn't for the fake punt, wouldn't finished with only 99 yards rushing. How do you expect the Syracuse defense to attack the PSU offense, and what kind of success do you think the Orange will have?

O44: First off, I would love to see Syracuse play “decent” against PSU. I’d take “decent” any day of the week. All kidding aside, Syracuse attacking the running game will start with star NT Art Jones. He is a bone fide all star and a beast up front on the defensive line. He can penetrate the offensive line, or plug a lane. On top of that, LB Doug Hogue and DE Mikhail Marinovich made some nice plays in the first game, and will try to do the same against Penn State. They stopped the run behind the line of scrimmage on several occasions, so moderate run stopping success can and should be achieved by Syracuse.

ZN: Give us a breakdown of the most important unit-vs-unit match up going into this game.

O44: Probably the most important match up will be the Penn State wide receivers versus the secondary of Syracuse. Minnesota possess one of the best wide receivers in the nation in Eric Decker. While Syracuse limited him in the first half, he was occasionally unstoppable in the second half, allowing Minnesota to come within field goal range to tie the game and send it to overtime. The team will be looking hard at the film, and will most certainly adjust their coverage schemes and will be tougher to pass on this coming week. Obviously Penn State can do damage through the air, so it will be interesting to see if Penn State can throw the ball around and move the chains at will or if Syracuse can cause some drops and jar the ball loose with contact.

ZN: We talked about this last season, when PSU and the Orange met for the first time in nearly two decades. But last season, Penn State went into the Carrier Dome, where most of these teams' match ups did not historically take place (Archbold Stadium) in New York. Now, Syracuse comes into Beaver Stadium, where all of the teams meetings at Penn State took place (even in its old location, it was still the same structure). What does it mean for Orange fans to get to return to a place so historic to both teams? And do Orange fans have any diabolical plans for the Nittany Lion Shrine this time around?

O44: It is exciting, but tragic at the same time. It is similar to last season. Although we are happy that this rivalry game is being rekindled, there is a bitter feeling because this is not a team that can truly challenge Penn State like it could in the 80’s and 90’s. It should be a fun game however, as Syracuse has low expectations so they can open up the playbook and try whatever they want. It will also be a learning experience for this young team to play in front of that many people, and perhaps rekindle the rivalry personally for them. As for your statue, you’re lucky I’m watching this game at home, as the Pitt Panther has felt my wrath before.

ZN: How about a game prediction? How do you think this game will go, and what about the score?

O44: The game will probably go as most people expect, pending a huge collapse of everything Penn State knows, or an utterly perfect game from Syracuse that will include several turnovers and pick-sixes. Penn State will just be too much to handle for the program rebuilding. I’ll say it will be Penn State over the ‘Cuse 40 to 24.

Many thanks again to Brian! And check out my interview over at Orange::44 HERE.

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Red Meat Monday hates Iowa more than Pryor

ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg has a rundown of the Big Ten's top "villains" for each team. It's a very interesting post, but one that is basically meant to stir up some talk in the comments section.

Richard Nixon is listed as Penn State's "all-time" villain, due to his declaration that Texas was the best team in 1969, which some say cost Penn State the national title that year. But who is Penn State's current villain, according to Rittenberg?

Current villain: Terrelle Pryor. The nation's No. 1 recruit spurned his home-state school for Ohio State and didn't make many friends in State College by calling it "too country" for him. Penn State won Round 1 against Pryor last year and will face him at least two more times.

Now, Adam is a fantastic writer and blogger; one of the best out there. But I seriously take issue with his pick of Pryor as Penn State's top villain right now.

I would bet that if you asked any Penn State fan, right now, which player or team they absolutely hate the most, it would be the Iowa Hawkeyes by a landslide.

Not only did they directly cost the Nittany Lions a shot at the national title in 2008, the Hawkeyes have been the second-worst (Michigan, of course) thorn in Penn State's side for most of this decade.

In 2000 and 2002, Penn State was stung by painful overtime losses to Iowa. In 2001, a mere six points was the difference. A trip to Iowa in 2003 resulted in another Penn State loss. But the ugliest loss of all was a homecoming disaster in 2004.

It was the 6-4 "victory" for Iowa. That's right, the score was SIX to FOUR.

Penn State was fortunate enough to catch a very mediocre Hawkeyes team in 2007, which turned out to be Penn State's only victory in the last seven meetings.

But everything goes right back to 2008. Penn State suffered one of the two most painful losses by any team in 2008 (Texas' loss to Tech was the other), thanks to Iowa.

Terrelle Pryor could end up winning all three (if he stays that long) remaining matchups with Penn State. But right now, he's done nothing to hurt Penn State. In fact, if you really want to twist this up, it could be said that Pryor is one of Penn State's favorite players in the Big Ten right now. If it wasn't for his two turnovers against the Lions, Penn State might not have won in the Horseshoe for the first time since 1979.

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Hey Tim Curley! See this?

With all the hulaballoo about Penn State's non-conference scheduling, particularly concerning PSU AD Tim Curley, it should be noted that Jim Clements, the new West Virginia University President, really wants his Mountaineers to play Penn State. That's right, you know all those old rivals Penn State doesn't play anymore? Well, one of them is practically pleading for a series renewal willing to chat about the Nittany Lions.

In an interview with Mike Casazza, the Charleston Daily Mail WVU beat reporter/blogger, Clements said:

"...the three biggest rivalries historically are Pitt and the Backyard Brawl, Maryland and Penn State. I think having Maryland on the schedule again is pretty cool. It's a quality ACC team. Penn State would be very hard to get on the schedule because they're in the Big Ten and they have only so many outside games they can play, but that would actually be a pretty interesting matchup."

But oh, it gets better. Much, much better.

"If you asked me to order them, clearly you've got to have Penn State on [the schedule]..."

Well, West Virginia might not be what it was under Rich Rodriguez and Pat White, but it's still one of the best teams in The East. It's supposed to win the Big East again this year, which would give it three BCS bids in the last five seasons, more than Penn State. Not to mention, it was one of Penn State's BIGGEST rivals before joining the Big Ten.

This should be a no-brainer for the Penn State Athletic Department.

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Paulus to become an Orange man

Could it be that Syracuse is not far from once again being a respectable college football program? It seems that new head coach Doug Marrone is nudging things in the right direction. First thing's first, a quarterback who can function:

Former Duke point guard Greg Paulus is expected to play for Syracuse, according to sources... The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Paulus, a standout high school quarterback, would fit into new Syracuse coach Doug Marrone's pro-style offense. Redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Nassib has been tabbed as the Orange's starter, but Paulus could be the perfect bridge in a one-season homecoming.

Not a bad little coup by Marrone and the Orangemen (I'm still not giving up on the old name), one which could spark just enough interest in the Upstate upstart. I'm not going to jump the gun on this one. Paulus might back out. He could completely flop once on the field.

Yet, any way you look at this, it's a positive note for the once-proud program. As old rivals, we should always hope our enemies remain competitive at the least, and elite at best. That way, when we beat any of them, it makes the victory that much sweeter.

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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.

*Have something to say about this post? Let your voice be heard, in the ZN Message Forum!

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Big Ten Bloggers Roundtable :: The week after, just sitting around

The Big Ten Bloggers are back with another roundtable. Sort of a season wrap-up theme. Off The Tracks brings it.

1. Minnesota, Michigan, and Indiana got absolutely torched in rivalry games this weekend. Please feel free to diagram your revenge scenario/taunting celebration as appropriate for when you stomp a rival/get stomped by a rival in such fashion.

ZN: I think the only team that I truly feel passion after a win or a loss would be Michigan. Now, I know that they don't view Penn State as a "Rival," since they've got enough of their own. In fact, I'm not so sure I view them as a true "rival," either. But after losing to the Wolverines for the last 120 years, it was a special kind of feeling after Penn State ran off 32 unanswered points. The Lions won 46-17, which was a larger margin of victory than any of the Wolverines' versus Penn State. Even when Penn State was really, really bad, Michigan never beat Penn State by more than 27 points. Michigan went 3-9 this year, giving them a solid dose of humility, but I'm not so sure it has had the desired effect. Michigan fans just seem more pissed off than ever. It sort of reminds me of the Notre Dame situation. So, did you not see it yet? I'm taunting Michigan by just restating what has happened this season, and topping it off by comparing them to Notre Dame. But to talk briefly about Michigan State. It was fantastic to beat them, after Penn State blew a big lead last year. Plus, knowing that Mark D'Antonio and his crew could only muster up some pathetic stalling techniques (calling those timeouts at the end), just made me even happier to blow them out of the water. It just makes the PSU-MSU "rivalry" better.

2. The results are in an the Big Ten didn't do well this year. What does the conference need to do in the bowl season and next year to regain esteem?

ZN: BEAT FREAKING MAC TEAMS!!! DAMMIT MICHIGAN, INDIANA, ILLINOIS!!! YOU'RE PATHETIC! Thank God none of you are going to a bowl game. You're a disgrace to the Big Ten, and I don't even like this freaking conference!

3. For Penn State fans, what is your plan to defend the title. For everyone else, how will you topple the Nittany Lions next year?

ZN: Are you ready for this? The Penn State defense should be (barring any early-entries to the NFL) even BETTER next year! Holy shit, where's the Tylenol?! The Nittany Lions return its first-team All-Big Ten quarterback, an All-Big Ten running back, All-Big Ten guard, the defensive line from Hell itself, All-American Linebacker Sean Lee (who will want blood after missing this season), first-team All-Big Ten linebacker Navorro Bowman, and the best coach in college football. Do I think we have a shot next year? You bet!

4. Of the 109 other teams in Division 1A, pick one you absolutely would love to face in the postseason and pick which bowl game (other than BCS championship) you would play them in.

ZN: I'm probably like every other Penn State fan and blogger, but I really want Oregon to beat Oregon State. Penn State deserves to face USC (if the Lions don't back into the BCS Title Game) in the Rose Bowl. I would rather lose a close game to USC, than play Oregon State again. Sound crazy? It should, because it is. Ok, so maybe I wouldn't really want a loss to USC, but I still think taking the risk by playing the Trojans will reap bigger rewards for Penn State, as well as the Big Ten Conference overall. Imagine if Penn State goes to Pasadena, and just lays a beat-down on USC? One can dream.

*Ed.-I'm not sure what's exactly in store for the rest of this week, as I'm leaving for Kentucky tonight. The Michigan State game review will be up probably tomorrow, but maybe not until later. Although, I could always try working hard and get it done today. We'll see.

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Penn St vs. Michigan St :: The Land Grant Trophy

Usually, there's some historical or folksy significance to Rivalry Trophies. The Big Ten probably has the best set of trophy games, but is kind of like the cool kids dragging the nerdy little brother around–Penn State vs Michigan State and the Land Grant Trophy. The conference would love to shake this one loose, but mom said they have to take him along.

It's not so much that the rivalry is not up to par. Penn State and Michigan State have had some good games, usually with some sort of importance. But can we please just get a new trophy? This is the most horrible, embarrassing, second-grade-school-project look-alike trophy out there.

How cool is Paul Bunyan's Axe, or the Little Brown Jug, or even the freaking IlliBuck trophy? Yes, that's right, a damn turtle is more impressive than the "Lame Gross" Trophy. I'll even take the Governor's Victory Bell (PSU/Minnesota) over the LGT, any day.

But there's not much we can do. Every year, we go through the same old thing with this trophy. I guess we'll just have to take solace knowing that Penn State and Michigan State fight for the most well-known "ugly" trophy every year.

No, it doesn't make me feel better, either.

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Look! A talking Orange

This week, Syracuse blogger Brian from Orange::44 was kind enough to send over his thoughts on the game. Brian and the Syracuse faithful--trust me, they need all the faith they can get right now--are just as excited as we Penn State fans. So here you go, Brian's word.

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1. So things are still bad for Syracuse. How much will Penn State win by on Saturday?

O44: Not gonna lie, I think SU will lose by at least 30 points. My person prediction was 34 points, to which I have a drink riding. So you know it is a serious bet. Either way, #17 Penn State, save some EPIC college football collapse where they forget nearly every fundamental and act like a bunch of high schoolers, should win pretty handily, and score early and often. I wish I could say this game will be closer and I wish I could say Syracuse will not go quietly into that good night. Alas, it was just not meant to be this year.

2. Are you still excited for this rivalry game, even though it might not be close?

O44: Absolutely. While this may not be the best year to renew such rivalry, clearly the entire idea is a good one. Any time you can mix in a team you used to play on a regular basis that you have not in a while is a good idea. Especially when that team is good as it ads credibility to your non-conference schedule. Plus, Penn State is a big time, well established franchise. At the very least, even if it is not a good game it will be fun to see them in action. The entire reason I love college football is the atmosphere and clearly both the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, and Beaver Stadium in State College, will be rocking on game days. That will be amazing to see.

3. What Syracuse player will have the biggest impact on the game and why?

O44: At this point, after having the benefit of seeing two games already, it has to be RB Curtis Brinkley. He has bounced back magnificently from a season ending injury last year, to really tear it up on the ground. He earned 143 yards and a touchdown last week, so at least the running game and offensive line of Syracuse have improved leaps and bounds from last season. Look for them to go to Brinkley, and also RB Delone Carter on a fairly consistent basis to try to establish the running game on Penn State. Whether it works or not remains to be seen.

4. What Penn State player are you worried about for Syracuse?

O44: While Syracuse did a fairly competent job against the running game of Akron last week in the Carrier Dome, RB Evan Royster scars the crap out of me. Considering that this year, in only two games, he has 205 yards and six touchdowns. While the yardage is not that impressive, the six touchdowns certainly are. After all, anytime you find the end zone is impressive, but to do it three times in the first two games of the season, you know he has a nose for breaking the plane. Penn State will probably most use this to their advantage however by either using play action, or simply picking apart the defense on passes. This should be know problem for the Penn State offense to do.

5. Overall thoughts on the game, and some initial thoughts on the game next year?

O44: Again, although this is not the optimal year to restart this epic college football rivalry, it will still be fun. I myself will be in the Carrier Dome this weekend so I look forward to a good college football game, win or lose for Syracuse. If we win, it will clearly be the highlight of an overall low season, but if we lose, it will just further the cause of removing Greg Robinson as the head football coach at Syracuse. Either way, Syracuse fans will win on Saturday.

As for next year, while I am pretty sure the outcome of the game is not in question, I would love to see a game in State College. With the "white out" possibly in effect and thousands of football fans there cheering on their team, that is what big time college football is all about, and I would love to see it in person.

Thanks Brian! To see my answers to the same questions, check it out here.

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Big Ten Bloggers Roundtable :: Big, Big, BIG Games

This week's roundtable was put together by Maize N Brew, so... yeah, and Mario Manningham can suck it, too.

1. We're two weeks in and everyone in the Big Ten, minus the two Michigan schools and Illinois, are 2-0. This week marks the end of your early "tune-up" or serious OOC play. Are you satisfied with the way your team has played against the cupcakes on your schedule, or happy with the way they've competed against serious competition?

ZN: Thrilled about both. Period. Has there been a more dominant team through the first two weeks than Penn State? Definitely not in the Big Ten.

2. You knew this was coming. This week's OMG Game of teh Century!!!!1!!1!! until next week's OMG Game of teh Century!!!!1!!1!! is Ohio State versus Southern Cal. Who are you pulling for and why? Further, if you're pulling for one particular team tell me why they'll win, or won't.

ZN: Ohio State, because I don’t want to read another year’s worth of Big Ten-bashing from the MSM (Main Stream Media). Even if OSU wins the National Title, it won’t matter. Some four-loss SEC team will have probably deserved it more.

3. Besides the above mentioned Game of the Century, there are actually some decent match ups this week in the Big Ten. Purdue v. Oregon; Wisconsin v. Fresno State; Michigan v. Notre Dame; Michigan State v. Florida Atlantic; or Iowa v. Iowa State. I said decent. I didn't say they were all good. Pick the best game from that group, pick the worst game from that group, and Minnesota and Illinois bloggers must post an apology for scheduling Montana State and Louisiana Lafayette respectively.

ZN: Purdue vs. Oregon. If Purdue can win, it will overshadow any other loss by the Big Ten. OK, maybe not so if MSU loses to FAU.

4. Out of Conference scheduling is always something that draws the ire of journalists and bloggers alike. You all know how weak your OOC really is. Admit it. You're sad. So fix it. Pick two teams out of conference you really wish your school would schedule. Nursing colleges and the Center for Veterinary Sciences are verboten. Pick two major conference middle to heavy weights or two heavy weight non-BCS conference programs to add to the schedule. (Please note you get to keep your two patsies per season).

ZN: Non-BCS teams -- Temple and Navy. BCS teams -- West Virginia and Notre Dame. (Yeah, basically Pitt can go shove it)

5. All college football fans love to tailgate. Even you, you mothers' basement dwelling bloggers, you. Name your beverage of choice on game days. Alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, your readers need to these things about you, to judge you. Confirm all their suspicions.

ZN: Corona with Lime and a little salt.

Bonus Question! Rivalry games dot the schedule this week. If your team is playing in a rivalry game, say something nasty about your opponent then predict a lopsided score to infuriate the opposing fanbase. If you're not playing a rival, then start a rivalry by saying something nasty about your opponent and then predict a lopsided score to infuriate the opposing fanbase. Or just give me a non-offensive prediction and a reason to watch.

ZN: Score will be 138-(-3). Yes, Syracuse will score negative points. Penn State will rumble for 100 first-half points. In the fourth quarter, the Lions will start pulling fans from the stands to play for them. Then the Orange will cry like babies. Was that nasty enough? Because I’m not sure it’s so far-fetched...

*Tomorrow I’ll have my top 25, then later, my Big Ten picks for this week.

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It's Wednesday

And again, what else to I have to do at work? Actually, nothing.

I thought this week, keeping with the Pitt theme, the 1981 48-14 thrashing of the No. 1, Marino-led Panthers would be appropriate. It's about 10 minutes, so make sure you have enough time to watch it. If you don't, say "screw it" and watch anyway. Enjoy!

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Stop lying and schedule Pitt

At his weekly press conference, Joe Paterno talked about everything, from TE Andrew Quarless to the Penn State kicking game, Buffalo to... Pitt? That's right, the old question came up, again. Will Penn State ever play Pittsburgh? According to Paterno, not in his coaching lifetime.

Look, I wasn't around the Penn State program long enough to enjoy the Nittany Lions' most hated rival. I've only come to love this school since Larry Johnson exploded for 2015 regular season yards. But I do know what the rivalry means to this institution, Pitt and the entire state of Pennsylvania.

College football needs Penn State versus Pitt. College football has descended into a 120-team (not including the many, many, many I-AA opponents still on schedules) clusterf*ck, where every one of those teams (at least those in the "in crowd," i.e. the BCS conferences) are constantly trying to impress the voters, while still avoiding the challenges of a quality schedule. What ever happened to playing teams regardless of whether or not it was a guaranteed win?

In an age when good, old rivalries like PSU/Pitt, Texas/Arkansas and Miami/Florida are few and far between, fans are constantly missing out on what college football should be. What separates college and professional football? No, not the money. Trust me, college football makes plenty of that. No, not the playoffs. Although, it's not a bad idea.

It's the tradition. That's all it's ever been. College football has been played since 1869, decades before professional teams hit the field. What's special about bowl games? Not everyone gets to go? No, because there are way too many freaking bowls now. But they are unique in that they have been played for far longer than the Super Bowl. In fact, I bet if you went up to people on the street, they wouldn't realize that the Super Bowl just means "really, really, amazingly, freaking awesome 'bowl' game."

Anyone in Penn State's athletic department, who tells you that there's no chance to play Pitt, is a liar. The most common excuse is that Penn State could not get enough home games if a home-home series with Pitt were played. In the words of Eric Cartman, that... is... bullcrap!

I leave you with this. The following is an outline of the next three seasons. I only know the Big Ten schedule until 2010, so I didn't go further. Regardless, I felt these three years proves my point well enough.
2008---------------------2009---------------------2010
Coastal Carolina-------Eastern Michigan------TBA (Home, Pitt – great opener)
Arkansas St.------------Syracuse----------------@Alabama
@ Syracuse-------------Temple------------------TBA (Home*)
TBA (Home, Pitt)----------Iowa--------------------@Iowa
Illinois------------------@Illinois---------------Illinois
@Purdue----------------TBA (@Pitt)-----------TBA (Home*)
@Wisconsin------------Minnesota--------------@Minnesota
Michigan----------------@Michigan-------------Michigan
@OSU ------------------@Northwestern-------Northwestern
@Iowa------------------OSU---------------------@OSU
Indiana------------------Indiana-----------------@Indiana
MSU--------------------@MSU-------------------MSU

*These dates should be home games. I'd love to see more eastern rivals, like WVU or Maryland, but it's more likely they would be cupcakes. Still, this all proves it can be done.

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