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 On Saturday, Minnesota running back Laurence Maroney came to Penn State as the Big 10's leading rusher and was stirring up some attention as a Heisman Trophy candidate. Maroney's seat at the Downtown Athletic Club on December 10th may now beup for grabs. The Gopher back was held to just 48 yards and did not reach the end zone as the Nittany Lions won the game 44-14.
This was Penn State's first win over a ranked team since beating Wisconsin in 2002. The Associated Press sure took notice of the performance, as they have ranked Penn State #16 in this week's poll. Quarterback Michael Robinson lead continuousdrives up and down Beaver Stadium on the way to an uncontested conference win, while rolling up over 500 yards in total offense. So now it's time to jump on the Joe Paterno bandwagon and ride this team to a Big 10 title and an undefeated season, right?Wrong! This Saturday #16 Penn State (5-0) hosts #6 Ohio State (3-1) in what I
consider a huge game for Penn State. Kickoff for this nationally televised game is
set for 7:45pm. That means the fans will have all day to tailgate and get
themselves in "game shape" before heading into the stadium. I've been to a night
game in State College Pa. and let me tell you, you better bring a focused, well
polished football team to town when you take the field there. Well, that's exactly
what Ohio State is. Ohio State is 36-7 since 2001. They toyed with preseason #7 Iowa on both
offense and defense two weeks ago and are coming off of a bye week. Back in week
two, you all remember the instant classic against #2 Texas. Ohio State did not win
that game but they held quarterback Vincent Young (the best college player not
playing for USC) and the rest of the Longhorn power pack to a hard earned 25 points
in that 3 point loss. Texas hasn't been held to under 50 points in any other game
this season, and that's with the first string on the sidelines after halftime. Some
might tell you that those two teams might meet again, but I'll leave that discussion
for the shirts and ties on ESPN. On offense, the quarterback controversy in Columbus is now officially over.
Justin Zwick has taken his seat on the bench where he belongs and the multi talented
Troy Smith has taken over the wheel of this silver and red Hummer (rugged and
stylish) There's also an athlete named Ted Ginn that lines up all over the field.
When the time comes for a big play to be made, T.G. will be the one who rises to the
occasion and takes the air out of the blue and white balloons. Many people outside of Tallahassee, Fla. will tell you that Joe Paterno is the
best active coach in the nation. You won't get that here. Pete Carroll of USC is
second to nobody when wearing a headset on a college gridiron, but Ohio State's Jim
Tressel knows a thing or two about winning big games. Remember him thoroughly out coaching Miami's Larry Coker in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl and beating one of the best
teams I've ever seen? Ohio State had a bye week on Saturday and believe me, Tressel wasn't just preparing for Penn State, he's got loftier goals ahead. So while this is a big event for the Nittanies, it's just another game for a much more talented
Buckeye team. The experts that we're all trying to beat have slotted Ohio State as a solid 3
point road favorite. Don't read too much into this game. Folks, let me tell you,
Ohio State will be running out the clock in the fourth quarter. This being a big
home game for the Nittanies, they'll play hard, and we'll be seeing them again when
we're filling out our bowl sheets in December. The Buckeyes though, will be heading
on to bigger and better things. Ohio State is BCS bound, it's just a matter of which bowl game will it be? Buckeye backers still have dreams of spending New Years
at the Rose Bowl but you won't get that here either. Ohio State wins this over hyped game by double digits. So when you're calling your "local guy" or firing offshore this weekend, comfortably lay the points and enjoy the game. I recommend a large order of buffalo wings (with hot sauce) and watch your money tree grow. And hey, tell the guy next door. |
