October 29, 2007
Psl),sports •
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Gla ce McComas picks the best• week 3
By MATT BIRX By MATTHEW MCCOMAS
Staff Reporter Staffße p orter
MEB3S @PSU EDU MDM3 @PSU EDU
Wisconsin @ Ohio State: Playing inside the Ho e hoe alwaysa difficult task. The Badgers will be no exception despite their success so far. The
Buckeyes'James Laurinaitis createsproblems for opposing offenses.He can cover receiversand tackle ball carriers. More importantly, quarterback Tyler
Donovan betterbe on the lookout for h kid. I see Laurinaitis wreaking havocon Wisconsin, much to the delightof the Oh oSae faithful. The Buckeyes will
be the team jumping around this week. Sony Camp Randall.
Hey everybody this is my first
article for the Capital Times.
I have been a Penn State Football
fan for many years.
My family bleeds blue and white
especially on this campus.
All of my family members that
went to PSU finished on this
campus.
Now when it comes to the football
team quite frankly I am sick and
tired of what is going on with the
team and their actions.
Firstly, Austin Scott should not
only be disassociated from the team,
but he should also be disassociated
with our University.
The allegations against him are
too much for this University to deal
with.
I personally feel that he should be
withdrawn from his classes and the
University while the trial process is
going on
If found guilty we should
disassociate ourselves with him
much like Ohio State did with one
Maurice Clarett. When he was
found guilty the University cut all
ties with him and that's what Penn
State should do if Scott is found
guilty.
Now if Scott is found not guilty
then by all means he should be
welcomed back to the school
regardless but maybe put him on
academic probation.
Now let's look at the situation that
happened over the summer.
Certain prominent members of the
football team got into a fight on the
street and committed assault.
While at a party, safety Anthony
Scirrotto's girlfriend had
inappropriate comments made about
his girlfriend.
He and fellow teammate and
cornerback Justin King handled
the incident on the street. The
players went back to the party and
continued to drink.
Later on in the night Scirrotto,
King, and the other players
around them went to this person's
apartment.
The players in question broke in
and beat the hell out this guy for
some comments. This was no way
to handle it but let's face it Penn
State is one of the top 10 party
schools in the nation.
Even Playboy magazine said,
"We cannot rank Penn State
University against other schools in
the party category because we feel
it is unfair to rank professionals
against amateurs." This should say
something to us all.
Maybe JoePa does not have the
reigns on his team anymore like he
used to. His punishment though
was a good one for the team.
He punished the entire team by
making them clean up Beaver
Stadium after each and every home
game.
The real issue I have right now
with the team is not its behavior but
with its quarterback.
Anthony Morelli. Mr. Morelli
went to high school down the road
from me.
I have friends that graduated with
him and are Penn State students as
well.
They informed me that Anthony
Morelli misspelled his last name on
the SAT tests.
Now, no one here doubts his
abilities on the field but what we
doubt is his decision-making and his
ability to be a field general.
With some of the bad decisions I
have seen so far this year I am of
the opinion that we need to bench
Morelli and try out Darryl Clark
at quarterback he cannot be much
worse than the way Morelli played
against Michigan or Illinois.
Even his decision-making against
Notre Dame and Buffalo was spotty,
at best.
Morelli even manages to get
knock-downed by phantom tackles
and manages to fall over when
someone barely touches him.
THE CAPITAL TIMES
LSU @ Alabama: The Crimson Tide has been unpredictable this year, but given my job, I'm trying anyway. The Tigers have been impressive so far, but haven't
had many road games. This game has huge implications for the South Eastern Conference. The SEC is a tight race and any loss can move a team from the top
to the bottom in one weekend. Tuscaloosa will be rocking, no doubt about that, but LSU is far too disciplined on the defensive side of the ball to allow 'Barna
4 4
to score enough points to win. LSU quarterback Matt Flynn will have to make plays down the field once again. Tide Coach Nick Saban should start worrying
about his own team as the Tigers will hand Tama yet another loss.
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0 Arizona State @ Oregon: This contest has the potential to be the game of the day. Ducks quarterback Dennis Dixon will be extremely challenging for the
Sun Devils to defend. If the Devils want to stay atop the Pac-10, they obviously need to come away from this game with a win. Unfortunately for State, I think
Autzen Stadium will be too much for the Devils to handle. Look for Oregon to get back in the running for a conference title and outscore ASU.
A
Texas A&M @ Oklahoma: With the unbelievable amount of upsets each week, the Sooners are still vying for a shot in the national championship game, even
with one loss. OU quarterback Sam Bradford has been very efficient and will need to be again. The Aggies are not in the national title picture, but are in the
Big 12 title hunt. A win over Oklahoma will catapult them to first in the south division. However, A&M shouldn't get their hopes up. I know it has been upset
galore, but I really don't see the Sooners losing this game. OU should win and bring in a statement game for Coach Bob Stoops' team.
t, Cincinnati @ South Florida: A Big East battle, which puts the Bearcats against the story of the year, in the Bulls. Only in their 11`h season, USF has climbed
Vaaderbuilt @ Florida: Vandy is always lurking in the background to pull off a big upset. A couple weeks ago they did so to the unsuspecting Gamecocks
of South Carolina. Can theypossiblydo it again to the mighty Gators? With the waythis season has played out, whynot? However, it is not likelywith the
game being played at the "Swamp." Florida has had, what some may say, a disappointing season, which is the reason they won't be playing in the national
championship game again. I'd like Gators quarterback Tim Tebow to lead his team to victory against Vandy. I don't think the game itself will be all that close
when it's said and done. Look for the Gators to take a bite out of Vandy's pride.
lAirWake Forest @ Virginia: The ACC has definitely had a shift in power over the last couple years. Last year it was the Demon Deacons who were ACC
champions. This year, the Cavaliers of Virginia are looking to do the same. The Cays are quite a surprise this year. Then again, who isn't? Virginia doesn't
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Michigan @ Michigan State: The Spartans have once again started off strong, but faded in the latter part of the season. This rivalry game is one where I wish I
ibecould take MSU over the Wolverines. Unfortunately I can't. Big Blue has been playing well since their first two games in which they were embarrassed. Being
on the road could give the Spartans the edge, but I still like Michigan. The Wolverines will continue their run toward a Big Ten title.
Rutgers (a) Connecticut: The Scarlet Knights enter the home of the Huskies with Big East title aspirations on the line. However, Uconn has its own intentions
of a Big East title as well. The Huskies have been one of the surprise teams of the year. They are in first place in the conference and have looked good all season.
Rutgers running back Ray Rice is going to be challenging to contain let alone stop. In the end, I think he will be too much for the Huskies. Rutgers wins on the
road and continues their charge for a conference championship.
Purdue (k Penn State: The Nittany Lions are about as two-faced as a team can be. Luckily, for PSU fans, their better half is at home. At Beaver Stadium the
Lions are more aggressive and seemingly play with more passion. The Boilermakers are high-powered on offense, but their defense is lacking a bit. Penn State
should be able to keep pace in a high-scoring game, if it comes to that. However, with PSU's defense, the game could be a low scoring. Beaver Stadium will
walk away happy as the Nittany Lions come away with a victory against Purdue.
Patriots @ Colts: Both teams look superb. They are definitely the cream of the crop. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will offer a great showdown of
quarterbacks. Indianapolis has the home advantage, but New England wins the game. However, this will not be the last time these two teams meet this year.
There is an AFC championship game to play later and I don't see anyone that can keep these two teams from getting there.
f 11)
Bengals @ Bills: At the beginning of the year, you would have said by now this game would have no meaning and Cincy would kill Buffalo. However, this
game does have meaning. The winner can still compete for a wild card bid. The loser will probably be quite a long shot. The Bengals just don't seem to be on
APthe same page and with Trent Edwards at quarterback, the Bills seemingly have new life. The main reason is he's getting receiver Lee Evans involved. I'm
taking the Bills in an upset at home.
Packers (ii) Chiefs: Two stunning performances to date make this game interesting to watch. Green Bay and Kansas City are looking playoff bound at year's
end. Which team has enough in the tank to keep it going? I think the Packers play in a harder division, but the Chiefs seemingly have more holes to fix.
Arrowhead is always an intense place to play, but the fans won't be able to will their team to victory in this game. I'm taking the "cheeseheads" in what should
be a pick game for you gamblers out there.
the mountain quickly. The Bulls are no longer in the national championship game, but the Big East title coming to Tampa is a very realistic concept. I like USF
at home, in front of a passionate crowd.
have big names like most other teams who are in their position, but they win and that is all that matters. A lot of experts might put Virginia on upset alert in this
game, but I like the Cavaliers. No Miami. No Florida State. This Virginia team is on top of the conference. Look for them to continue their great season with
a win over Wake.