October 1, 2007
'gMgT 3 McComas picks the best: week 1
By MATTHEW MCCOMAS
By MATTHEW SARVER Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter MDM337@PSU.EDU
MBSSOII@PSU.EDU
Kentucky Ca> South Carolina
Overview: The Wildcats roll into Columbia expecting to upend another ranked opponent. The problem is South Carolina has the best defense Kentucky
has seen all year. To win this game, the Wildcats will have to score early and often. A hostile environment would create mental errors for most teams, but
not the men in blue. Look for Kentucky’s quarterback to lead the Wildcats to a victory over Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks.
ftv Surprise: Kentucky’s high-powered offense is what allows the Wildcats to win. Watch for Kentucky to score over 30 points through the air Thursday night
Sarver is Burning
Hello my fellow Nittany Lion
classmates. I am here to give
my opinion about the sports for
Penn State. I would first like to
send my wishes to the Penn State
Harrisburg Baseball Team. A lot of
returning starters along with some
new additions should make this
an interesting season. However
this being all PSU Harrisburg’s
first season as a Division 111 the
competition will be a lot tougher. So
Good Luck!
Now this is the part where I’m
going to get my rage out about our
beloved football team. After another
disappointing loss to Michigan I did
some serious screaming and hitting
of objects to get my frustration out.
However I began to think about
what changes should be made in
Happy Valley to actually give the
team a chance to compete like the
USC’s, Florida’s, and LSU’s. The
first major change has to come
within the coaching staff. I love
JoePa and I believe he will go
down in history as the greatest
coach of all time (in any sport), but
the offense runs the same stupid
plays. We have some of the best
athletes in the country, especially
at Wide Receiver. Did the coaching
staff watch any of the game
tapes from Michigan’s first two
opponents? How did those teams
beat Michigan? By spreading out
the defense. What does Galen Hall
do, run an I-formation and stack
the line. Good call, run right at one
of the best defensive lines in the
country.
I understand that by spreading out
the defense would mean that Penn
State would need a quarterback who
can hit open receivers and not throw
the ball five feet over their heads.
However until JoePa realizes that
Anthony Morelli is garbage and
gives Daryl Clark a chance to lead
this team, 1 don’t see Penn State
beating Wisconsin, Ohio State, or
maybe even Michigan State (the
way their playing). Considering our
season is pretty much shot for any
National Title talk, 1 say give Clark
a chance. He’s like a miniature
Michael Robison and we know how
much JoePa loved M-Rob. Let him
get the reps and get comfortable
with the offense and then next year
when he’s a senior and the wide
receivers (except Golden who’s
going to be gone) are seniors, the
offense will be explosive.
Finally I would like to say that
we need a change and running
back. Senior Austin Scott a.k.a.
butterfingers needs to be benched
for the rest of the year. In critical
situations, like when you driving
late in the game and are inside the
Michigan 15 and you decide to
fumble the ball and cost your team
the game, that’s where you draw the
line. Rodney Kinlaw knows how to
hold onto the football and is more
explosive than Scott. The offense
seems to respond a lot better with
Kinlaw in the baekfield.
Be prepared fellow Nittany
Lions for this may be the start to a
long, long season of complaining
and moaning. I guess until there
are some serious changes with
the football organization, we can
look forward to having “good”
expectations w ith our teams but
never become “great.” We might
as well be Philadelphia fans; they
always have a good team but never
win. Have a great October I am out!
THE CAPITAL TIMES
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Photos courtesy of ask*CO<n
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lOWA HAW KEYES
PACKERS
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against a stingy Gamecock defense
Gamebreaker: The Wildcats are rarely the focal point of the college football weekend. Andre’ Woodson will use this opportunity to advertise why he
should be the No. 1 pick in next year’s NFL draft.
Florida @ LSU
Overview: The Gators enter Baton Rouge better than expected. Their offense is explosive and their defense flashes to the ball quicker than lightning.
Florida’s youth movement has opened eyes and has them gearing up for another championship run. Unfortunately for Gainesville, the Gators’ bite stops at
Tiger Stadium. LSU is extremely difficult to beat under the lights. The Tigers win this SEC battle and continue their prowl to New Orleans.
Surprise: LSU has the experience to shutdown the Gator offense. No shootout Saturday night.
Gamebreaker: Les Miles. The old ball coach at LSU will scheme a way to confuse first-year-starter, Tim Tebow. The Florida quarterback can’t be
spectacular every game.
Oklahoma @ Texas
Overview: The classic Red River Shootout is always an intense rivalry game. A win improves the victors’ chance to play for the national championship.
The loser all but eliminates themselves from the conference and national title picture. Oklahoma is just too good this year. Look for the Sooners to stampede
past the Longhorns.
Surprise: A convincing win from OU could catapult the Sooners into the No. 1 or 2 spot. Either way, Bob Stoops can pack that covered wagon for
Louisiana.
Gamebreaker: Oklahoma wide receiver, Juaquin Iglesias. Quarterback, Sam Bradford, should have an easy time finding No. 9 for a few big plays.
Iglesias will break 100 yards again.
Virginia Tech @ Clemson
Overview: An ACC battle, which will entertain a defense versus offense match-up. The Hokies will have to try and contain the Tigers’ dynamic backfield
tandem. With a little luck from Howard’s Rock, the Tigers should improve their record in Death Valley.
Surprise: A low-scoring affair with the winner vying for a date against Boston College in the ACC championship game.
Gamebreaker: Clemson tailback, C.J. Spiller, will make this talented VT defense look sub-par. Prepare to be awed at least once.
lowa @ Penn State
Overview: When the Nittany Lions left home they were undefeated. That is no longer the case. With PSU now chasing the Big Ten championship, expect
the Lions to snap their losing streak against lowa.
Surprise: Beaver Stadium is never quiet. Look for the deafening crowd on hand to rattle the Hawkeyes and help Penn State bring a smile back to Happy
Valley.
Gamebreaker: Team captain Anthony Morelli should connect on several occasions with his receivers. Expect multiple touchdowns for the senior
quarterback.
Chicago @ Green Bay
Game: The Packers are balanced on both sides of the ball. The Bears are potent on defense, but struggle on offense. Green Bay scores just enough to beat
Chicago at home.
Fantasy: Donald Driver is Brett Favre’s favorite target. There shouldn’t be any dominating performances, but Driver will have the best game.
Carolina @ New Orleans
Game: A divisional game that should see big plays. The Panthers squeak out a win on the road.
Fantasy: Carolina’s Steve Smith will be the culprit of those big plays on the visitors’ side. Two touchdowns and 100 yards equal high scoring for any
online league.
San Diego @ Denver
Game: Mile High will see the two best teams in the AFC West. The Broncos aren’t pretty, but they find a way to win. Denver keeps rolling and the Chargers
are left to ponder why they fired Marty Shottenheimer.
Fantasy: Travis Henry will see many attempts. Attempts create opportunities and opportunities lead to production. LT might not be the best back in this
game.
Seattle @ Pittsburgh
Game: A rematch of the Super Bowl two years ago. The result will be similar. Steelers win big over the Seahawks,
Fantasy: Big Ben makes big plays all game. Those terrible towels will be waving as Seattle is embarrassed.