Southern Charm at its Best

Real nice, Texas:

Officials at Texas A&M have apologized for inappropriate and offensive comments about Penn State football coach Joe Paterno.

During an A&M pep rally Thursday at San Antonio's Riverwalk, one of the Aggies' yell leaders said Paterno is on his deathbed and somebody needs to find him a casket.

The comments drew boos from people from both schools attending the rally.

I didn't hear any of that, Paterno said at a Friday news conference. I think everybody's got to take things with a grain of salt. It's some young guy up there and he's trying to be funny. Maybe he's accurate, I don't know."

Paterno, who turned 81 years old last week, is in his 42nd season as the Nittany Lions coach.

The schools meet Saturday at San Antonio's 65,000-seat Alamo Bowl, which is sold out.
Copyright 2007 by United Press International

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Valero Alamo Bowl Preview: Penn State vs. Texas A&M

School: Texas A&M University (A&M), Aggies
Conference: Big XII
Head Coach: Gary Darnell (interim coach), 0-0 overall
Last Game: Defeated No. 11 Texas, 38-30
Record Last Five Years (sans 2007): 31-29 overall; 0-2 in bowls; 12-6 non-conference

Key Players, Defense: LB Mark Dodge, CB Marquis Carpenter, LB Misi Tupe

Key Players, Offense: QB Stephen McGee, RB Jorvorskie Lane, TE Martellus Bennett

What to look for: D – The famed A&M “Wrecking Crew” defense showed up this season--sometimes. Any offense with a pulse moved the ball with ease against the Aggies, and even bad teams like Miami, Fla. And Fresno State put up 34 and 45 points, respectively. If A&M can’t throw a wrench into the PSU offense, this one could get ugly in a hurry. It will start with the outstanding linebackers Dodge and Tupe, who combined for 197 tackles this season. Both are good at getting to the ball, and can also get a hand up in coverage, with Dodge notching five pass breakups and Tupe picking off one for a big return. Big plays are an absolute necessity if A&M pulls off the win. Getting a few sacks or interceptions could give A&M a mental boost, if anything. Carpenter was excellent at finding the ball in the air, and had four picks to show for it. This could come down to whether or not the “Wrecking Crew” actually makes an appearance.

O – This offense isn’t designed to work itself out of a deficit. The running game is A&M’s bread and butter, with McGee, Lane and RB Mike Goodson all rushing for more than 715 yards. The problem for the Aggies is that their leading rusher is the quarterback. If McGee can’t get the defense spread out and off balance, he doesn’t have the arm to stand in the pocket and bomb away. For the north-south running game, the 270-pound Lane is easily the hardest to take down, maybe in the whole nation. He’s only lost nine total yards the entire season on 159 carries. When A&M does go to the air, not many options exist outside of Bennett. He’s been good, but hasn’t gotten many opportunities to show his skills in this offense with only 45 grabs--tops on the team. PSU’s had some difficulty with tall receivers, so Bennett’s 6’7” frame could become a huge asset for the Aggies’ red zone attack.

ST – A&M will hope this game doesn’t come down to a field goal. K Matt Szymanski has been unreliable at best, connecting on fewer than 60 percent of his field goal attempts. In a tight loss to Texas Tech, he missed two attempts from 41 and 34 out. A&M lost that game by one point. Other than the field goal unit, A&M’s special teams are nothing to cringe at, but don’t turn any heads either.

C – Turbulence is the name of the game since Dennis Franchione was fired, oddly enough after his second straight victory over archrival Texas. Interim coach Darnell will get his team as fired up as possible, but this is really a meaningless game from a coaching standpoint. The real work will begin this spring, but a bowl win would send the seniors out on a great note, and maybe pour some momentum into the off-season and incoming coach Mike Sherman.

Interesting Stat: A&M has been a fourth-quarter team in 2007, scoring 131 points. Unfortunately, so have their opponents, which have scored 91 fourth-quarter points of their own.

School: The Pennsylvania State University (PSU), Nittany Lions
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Joe Paterno, 42nd Year, 371-125-3
Last Game: Lost to Michigan State, 35-31
Record Last Five Years (sans 2007): 36-25; 1-1 in bowls; 7-4 non-conference

Key Players, Defense: S Anthony Scirrotto, LB Sean Lee, DE Maurice Evans

Key Players, Offense: RB Rodney Kinlaw, WR Derrick Williams, QB Anthony Morelli

What to look for: D – The 2007 season was not a vintage performance by this PSU unit. Sure, there were two shutouts, but I’m sure PSU would have traded those for two wins. In the final two losses the defense gave up 37 to Ohio State and 35 to Michigan State, 28 surprisingly in the second half to the Spartans. Of course, those teams had good quarterbacks. McGee is not bad, but he’s not great, and PSU will key off of his inability to carry the Aggies on his back with his arm. Senior captain LB and Bednarik-winner Dan Connor is almost a given to have a great game, but sometimes in 2007, his defensive teammates couldn’t help him out. Stopping the A&M run game with the front four, led by tackles Phil Taylor and Olie Ogbu will be important to forcing A&M to pass. If PSU can force the pass, Evans and DE Josh Gaines can tee off and pound McGee in the pocket. If McGee and Bennett hook up, it will be up to the suspect secondary to put a quick end to it. Throws over the middle haven’t ended well for opponents, with playmaker Scrirrotto always up for a big play.

O – Can PSU keep up with A&M if the defense doesn’t hold up as well as expected? Morelli had arguably his best game against a good team in the 2007 Outback Bowl against No. 22 Tennessee. And outside of the last four throws of the Michigan State game, he had a great final stretch. But a lot of that had to do with the emergence of Williams as a go-to receiver, after moving to the slot. Morelli does well when asked to manage a game, not win it. Over the last few games, he made nice, easy throws to Williams and WRs Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood. PSU does have the options in the running game, and if it gains a lead by halftime, watch for a healthy dose of Kinlaw and RB Evan Royster. In order for the PSU offense to be effective in this game, it can’t have the mental breakdowns and turnovers that plagued it in key situations in key losses this season.

ST – PSU gave up two touchdown kick returns in 2007. One of them was overcome in the win over Purdue, but the other foreshadowed the implosion against Illinois earlier in the season. A&M isn’t known for its return game, so there shouldn’t be any issues for PSU, considering the special teams have spent extra time on kick coverage. K Kevin Kelly has been very good all year, and hasn’t cost PSU games the way he might have last season. P Jeremy Boone could mean the difference in field position, and thus winning and losing the Alamo Bowl. But above all, PSU doesn’t want to lose the return game, and getting a few good returns from Williams and KR AJ Wallace is a must.

C – This is the complete opposite of A&M. Paterno has been on the same sideline since 1950. The key to another bowl win is allowing the players to do what they do well. That was evident in the loss to Michigan State, as the run game was blasting away, but the staff decided to throw the last four downs with plenty of time. If one aspect of PSU’s offense is clicking, Paterno and his staff have to go with it.

Interesting Stat: PSU has outscored opponents in the second quarter 114-21.

GAME PREDICTION:

PSU 31, A&M 14

VEGAS:

PSU (-6) A&M

ACTUAL SCORE:

PSU 24, A&M 17

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Ranking the bowl games, Part 2

Yes, this is completely my opinion. How I ranked the bowls were based completely on how much I will pay attention to each game. This has nothing to do with intriguing national story lines, talent match ups or whether or not Stewart Mandel thinks it's worth watching. (or any of the other "experts'" bowl rankings) Also, you can just assume PSU vs. TA&M is ranked No. 1 in my mind, just because I want to see the Lions play more than any other team. That ranking has nothing to do with ratings appeal and such. So, here's the other 31 bowls:

16. Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl (Dec. 31, 4 p.m.) Kentucky vs. Florida State - This one should be called the Mediocre Bowl, but UK's offense vs. FSU's defense is compelling enough. Maybe Jenn Sterger will take time out of her busy schedule to show off her boobies. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: UK 29, FSU 21.

15. Brut Sun Bowl (Dec. 31, 2 p.m.) South Florida vs. Oregon - The Shoulda-Woulda-Coulda Bowl is definately worth your time, given at one point, both were No. 2. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: USF 20, Oregon 17.

14. Konica Minolta Gator Bowl (Jan. 1, 1 p.m.) Texas Tech vs. Virginia - My cousin went to UVA, so I sort of a fan. Plus Penn State played them when I was in school, and I don't like passing teams like TT. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: UVA 23, TT 20.

13. Insight Bowl (Dec. 31, 6 p.m.) Indiana vs. Oklahoma State - I know I said no to feel-goods, but IU has overcome a lot to get here. Too bad not many people will see it on the NFL Network. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: OSU 41, IU 35.

12. AT&T Cotton Bowl (Jan. 1, 11:30 a.m.) Missouri vs. Arkansas - This will be the Tigers' chance to shove it in everyone's faces that they should have been in the BCS. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: Missou 45, Ark 28.

11. Outback Bowl (Jan. 1, 11 a.m.) Wisconsin vs. Tennessee - The first of the BigTen/SEC bowls. Remember, the Badgers have a two-game win streak against the SEC in bowls, and UT lost to PSU in the 2007 Outback. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: UW 24, UT 20.

10. Pacific Life Holiday Bowl (Dec. 27, 8 p.m.) Arizona State vs. Texas - This will be an underrated game going in, but might turn into a classic, as long as both teams show up to play. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: UT 30, ASU 20.

9. Champs Sports Bowl (Dec. 28, 5 p.m.) Boston College vs. Michigan State - The only reason to watch is to--hopefully--see that MSU really is a decent team, negating the "fluke" status of the PSU win. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: BC 16, MSU 14.

8. Chick-fil-A Bowl (Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m.) Clemson vs. Auburn - The similarities between the two programs are just plain creepy. I like getting spooked, so this one's worth it. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: AU 18, Clem 14.

7. Allstate Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m.) Hawai'i vs. Georgia - Sure, everyone is curious about this one, but really, I'll only watch it because no other games are on. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: UGA 31, Haw 27.

6. FedEx Orange Bowl (Jan. 3, 8 p.m.) Virginia Tech vs. Kansas - A lot of people will be screaming in the state of Missouri if KU loses big in this one, so it'll be fun. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: KU 24, VT 21.

5. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 2, 8 p.m.) Oklahoma vs. West Virginia - Another one of those "if they both show up..." bowls. These two teams are pretty upset with themselves right now, as they both could have been playing in the Big Easy. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: OU 35, WVU 28.

4. Capital One Bowl (Jan. 1, 1 p.m.) Michigan vs. Florida - This is beginning to sound scary for the Wolves, but with all this time to prepare, and the final game for so many players and their head coach, UM's best will come out. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: UF 24, UM 23.

3. Rose Bowl presented by Citi (Jan. 1, 4:30 p.m.) Illinois vs. USC - How is it that the Illini--as four TD underdogs--can beat Ohio State in Columbus, but have no chance to beat the Trojans? Watch out. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: Ill 34, USC 31.

2. Allstate BCS Championship (Jan. 7, 8 p.m.) Louisiana State vs. Ohio State - I'm convinced that this one will go awry for certain "favorites," as the Bucks have everything to lose, while the Tigers are just happy to be there. Would have rather seem Oklahoma in this one. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: OSU 35, LSU 20.

So that's all folks, for my complete bowl rank--wait, I forgot...

1. Valero Alamo Bowl (Dec. 29, 8 p.m.) Penn State vs. Texas A&M - Of course I'm going to watch this. Duh. Off the cuff, no-research involved pick: OK, maybe I know a little bit more about these two teams than any of the others, but Penn State will win. PSU 38, A&M 14.

Comment on this story: What's your favorite match up this bowl season?

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