FOS is reporting that DB Stephon Morris has committed to PSU (link
below).
http://pennstate.scout.com/2/757215.html
Morris is the fifth DB to commit to play. For the Lions in '09. LJ Sr.
Is the coach who landed the Maryland corner. Nobody out-recruits LJSR!
Go State!
In week three of the 2008 season the mighty Lions face a long time nemesis in the Orangemen of Syracuse. The Orangemen have fallen on hard times as they have only won seven games since 2005. However, if one thinks back to the 60s, one will remember a heated rivalry where the Lion shrine is ritualistically painted orange (and has been attempted since 1966) and Otto the Orange is pulled into the student section and given a ritualistic beating. This is a rivalry of my past. It is back and I love it. Bring it, Orangemen!
If you are looking for a Syracuse blog to frequent allow me to suggest Orange 44.
The Orangemen will have to improve greatly this off-season if they hope to hang with PSU. This is despite hosting the Lions for their first road game of the year. Why will the Orange-hordes have to screw their courage to the sticking post? Well, the Orangmen were ranked 111th in team defense and 114th in offense. It might not be Notre Dame bad, but it is bad. Given this lowly state of affairs, lets take a look at the 2008 Orangemen.
Passing:
If Syracuse wants to be a player in the 2008 season it will have to be through the air. Syracuse finished with the 55th ranked pass offense in the country, not terrible and better than PSU's ranking of 75th. Andrew Robinson will be under center for Syracuse and will bring much needed experience to a shakey offense. If Robinson can improve off of his 2000+ yd 2007 season the Orange could be dangerous. However, Robinson will have to improve his consistency if he is to lead the Orangemen to the promised land. In 2007 Robinson threw 13 TDs, however, seven of these came in only two games. Andrew will have to step up and score points to be successful.
Helping out on the receiving end is Mike Williams. Williams caught 60 balls for over 800 yards and 10 TDs. At 6'2" and over 200 pounds Williams is a big tough target and could prove to be a difficult match-up for the Lions.
Realistically, if the young Syracuse Offensive line can protect the QB they have a good chance to be succesful. However, the Orange have a long way to go as they gave up 54 sacks in 2007. If you were wondering, that makes them better than only ASU and ND at protecting the QB. Not so good. Does it make it hurt less that they will be fielding a very young offensive line?
Rushing:
Syracuse is not good at running the football. The Orange only ran for 753 yards in 2007. Yes, the entire team. No. I'm not joking. Doug Hogue is projected to start in 2008, however, with the combination of a young offensive line and a young running back could spell disaster for Syracuse.
Defense:
As was mentioned above, the Orange were hard pressed to keep teams out of the end zone last year. The Orange gave up nearly 35 points per game. That is not a way to win football games. Again, Syracuse looks to field a very young defensive team this year. Could the young'uns be great? Sure. However, it seems more likely that the Orange defense be despicably poor. However, if the young guys step up and play beyond their years they could be not terrible.
Match-up:
Despite the trouncing I just gave Syracuse they have a punchers chance against the Lions. Why, JB? You might find yourself asking. Well, this is because you have to think about how much trouble a good, big, physical wide receiver can give the Penn State Defense. If AJ Wallace has trouble containing Mr. Williams Syracuse might just stand a chance. Did I mention Williams has one inch and 20 lbs on AJ? That being said, PSU will be too much for Syracuse to handle. PSU's running game will truly shine in this game and the Lions will methodically grind Syracuse into dust. I predict 250+ rushing yards for PSU and a Penn State victory. Though some big plays keep it closer than a lot of people may think.
Prediction:
PSU: 35
SYR: 17
GO STATE!
There have been rumors swirling that Lavar Arrington is going to buy
the Sports Cafe in down State College. The Collegian's blog, footblog,
actually has some news to report (link below)
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/blogs/footblog/2008/05/arrington_fuels_rumors_surroun.aspx
Arrington was still playing coy and did not fully confirm that he had
purchased the bar. However, it is clear that big 11 has bought the
Sports Cafe and I find this completely awesome!
I would like to suggest some possible new drinks to be served at Cafe
Arrington:
The QB Killa
A terribly strong brew of 11 types of liquor which could render Troy
Aikman unable to remember his own name.
The Line Leaper:
A jaeger, voldka, and tobasco shot dropped into a Red Bull, guaranteed
to propel you over a hapless Illini offensive line!
Go State! Go Cafe Arrington!
My afternoon got a huge jolt when I read that Kirk Ferentz was seen at the Lasch Building this afternoon. I initially heard this over at BHGP. However, FOS has a story which seems to throw a bucket of ice water on the flames of intrigue. FOS explains his visit thusly:The Hawkeyes intend to upgrade their indoor practice facility in the near future, and apparently liked what they saw when given an opportunity to practice in Holuba Hall before the PSU-Iowa game last fall. Currently, Iowa uses a 23-year-old bubble style indoor practice facility.
Well, yeah, that is a perfectly reasonable explanation. Which, to me, is fantastic news. Ferentz isn't exactly at the top of anyone's wish list of Paterno-replacements.
GO STATE! REMAIN CALM!
I have a serious problem, I acquire PSU gear without regard to budgetary restraints or in accordance with the laws of good taste. In fact, I am typing this as I am swaddled in blue and white gear. However, it has come to my attention that there are some sweet PSU Footjoy shoes out there! Peep them and be prepared to covet them!I don't really know why this photo doesn't feature the logo more prominently, regardless, these are freaking sweet! I am imagining how awesome I would look on the links with my PSU hat, shirt, bag, club-covers, and now Cleats! Hell yes!
You can also see these on Footjoy's website.
They also have golf gloves! Sweet mercy!
GO STATE! CONSUME!
David Jones is in the middle of a three column mini-series (the first two can be found here and here) regarding not only Joe Paterno but also Graham Spanier. I suppose this insight will lead to a greater understanding of Paterno-Contract-Situation. I'm sure these sorts of interviews could certainly shed light on not only the mystery that is Graham Spanier and also, by extension, illuminate more of the turbid waters surrounding the contract negotiations. However, if one takes a step back you realize that we are talking about a school President in a football context!
Don't get me wrong, I want to find out the inside scoop on the contract scuttlebutt as much as the next guy, but do we need a trilogy of articles so I can retreat to my basement lair (of course) to psycho-analyze the man? Also, we are talking about a School president in the context of a college football story. A college football story which would be over if one question would be asked and answered candidly:
Hey, what is the deal with Joe's contract?If Spanier would actually answer that question candidly we could put down our mini-series and start thinking about football. This is as close as this thing has gotten to talking about football:
"When we talk, it is, 90 percent of the time, about things other than football. I don't think we've ever talked about a particular play or strategy."
Chris Baker's multiple felony charges were resolved late Friday
afternoon. The defensive tackle plead guilty to two misdemeanor
charges and was put on probation for two years. Find the story below:
http://m.si.com/news/sp/to_cfb_sports/detail/935333
This puts Baker's status into question. Baker escaped sanction from
the JA's office at PSU and now has only been convicted of two
misdemeanors, so should he stay banished or will he play in the fall?
I think Baker may participate in summer practice and will probably sit
until after the Syracuse game. Whenever he returns, because I think he
most assuredly will be back, he will bolster an already beefy D-line.
Things are starting to look up for the program, recruiting is going
very well and instead of guys landing in trouble old problems are
being resolved! Yes sir, I am fired up!
Go State!
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