Thanks to Galen from LinebackerU for this week's questions.
Penn State has lost to the two teams they were supposed to, albeit badly, and had a close scare with Temple. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being “OMG!! FIRE JOE NOW!!! and 1 being “no worries, things are going as we expected”) where are you on the Nittany Lion suicide scale and why?
5.
Well, I'm certainly not happy with the way Penn State has been playing the beginning of this season - so if they were "supposed" to lose to these teams or what doesn't really change that. I wasn't devastated after the bama loss - but the iowa loss was more of a disappointment - dropped passes, absence of run and pass blocking, Bolden's (understandable) nerves/emotion, and our traditional offensive play calling and (somewhat new) certain lack of discipline on offense - and poor tackling/missed assignments on defense are, at this point a real concern.
But on the other hand, I'm not inconsolable. I have have hope - both for this season and for the future - This game will be a test and show if Penn State can compete in the Big Ten.
Nick Sukay has back to back games with a pick and is now tied for first in the Big Ten, can we finally say this is his ‘breakout’ year or is it too early yet?
It's way too early. He said that he just got the green light to be able to break on the ball - which probably explains the interceptions. He's still getting beaten on coverage and looking, generally, slow. He's 3rd on the team with total tackles - it does not make me happy that 4 of the top 8 tacklers are from the secondary - black and white evidence of our non-existent run defense.
Penn State is 11-2 against the Fighting Zookers in Big Ten play, they are 12-1 after a loss since 2005, and they have won 39 of 44 homecoming games for Joe Paterno; this game is in the bag right? What scares you the most about Illinois?
Of course I believe that Penn State will win - 100%. Illinois' defense makes me nervous -
There has been a lot of talk about benching Rob Bolden and giving Newsome some more playing time. Are the offensive woes Bolden’s fault or is this just wild message board overreaction?
No. Bolden is our quarterback. Kevin Newsome is a fine kid - and there was a time when we all believed that he was the next great thing - but he has not
Quick Hits
-Both offenses are at the bottom of the conference and both defenses are pretty high (4th and 3rd) if the over/under was 35 what would you take?
Oh, I don't make these kinds of predictions...
-Number of times Joe uses some form of “youth” in his post-game press conference?
Many - 20?
-It’s a noon start, what quarter (half maybe?!?!) does the student section fill up?
It's also Homecoming - so it may be a while - let's say 2nd quarter.
Penn State has lost to the two teams they were supposed to, albeit badly, and had a close scare with Temple. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being “OMG!! FIRE JOE NOW!!! and 1 being “no worries, things are going as we expected”) where are you on the Nittany Lion suicide scale and why?
5.
Well, I'm certainly not happy with the way Penn State has been playing the beginning of this season - so if they were "supposed" to lose to these teams or what doesn't really change that. I wasn't devastated after the bama loss - but the iowa loss was more of a disappointment - dropped passes, absence of run and pass blocking, Bolden's (understandable) nerves/emotion, and our traditional offensive play calling and (somewhat new) certain lack of discipline on offense - and poor tackling/missed assignments on defense are, at this point a real concern.
But on the other hand, I'm not inconsolable. I have have hope - both for this season and for the future - This game will be a test and show if Penn State can compete in the Big Ten.
Nick Sukay has back to back games with a pick and is now tied for first in the Big Ten, can we finally say this is his ‘breakout’ year or is it too early yet?
It's way too early. He said that he just got the green light to be able to break on the ball - which probably explains the interceptions. He's still getting beaten on coverage and looking, generally, slow. He's 3rd on the team with total tackles - it does not make me happy that 4 of the top 8 tacklers are from the secondary - black and white evidence of our non-existent run defense.
Penn State is 11-2 against the Fighting Zookers in Big Ten play, they are 12-1 after a loss since 2005, and they have won 39 of 44 homecoming games for Joe Paterno; this game is in the bag right? What scares you the most about Illinois?
Of course I believe that Penn State will win - 100%. Illinois' defense makes me nervous -
There has been a lot of talk about benching Rob Bolden and giving Newsome some more playing time. Are the offensive woes Bolden’s fault or is this just wild message board overreaction?
No. Bolden is our quarterback. Kevin Newsome is a fine kid - and there was a time when we all believed that he was the next great thing - but he has not
Quick Hits
-Both offenses are at the bottom of the conference and both defenses are pretty high (4th and 3rd) if the over/under was 35 what would you take?
Oh, I don't make these kinds of predictions...
-Number of times Joe uses some form of “youth” in his post-game press conference?
Many - 20?
-It’s a noon start, what quarter (half maybe?!?!) does the student section fill up?
It's also Homecoming - so it may be a while - let's say 2nd quarter.
5 comments:
Whoa, I've been saying it wrong all this time. I thought it was Eel-lee-nois.
et moi aussi.
IMO this is the most important game of the season. A loss would indicate serious problems and very likely a losing record. However, a win could lead to much better things-including a truly special night in 3 weeks.
I totally agree -
Well at least it was a nice day weather-wise. But the game itself-worst I have ever seen in person-worse that 18-6 vs. Wisconsin in 2001. (I was also at Minnesota in 1999-but that is first in another category.).
As I just posted on LBU it is clearly time for a change offensively-but I do not see that happening until after next season. I am already planning on being up there next November when the Huskers come to town-because IMO that will be the last home game Joe coaches.
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