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i #9 Krts McComas picks the best: week 5
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By MORGAN RUPP
Staff Reporter
MLR3OS@PSU.EDU
Dismal. Think of Penn State
losing to Michigan State and a
whole lot of negative adjectives
will spring to mind. One very
important one might be bleak. Is
Penn States' football future really
going anywhere? Or is this just
another game in a once proud
program gone mediocre? I suppose
that it is possible that this is just
a bad game from a season weary
team.
I guess I could forgive them this
time, well except for the fact that
I used my one free forgive on the
road loss to Illinois.
This was a team that very publicly
spoke of having high hopes towards
a national title. Instead, they lose
four conference games and finish
the season well out of the Top 25.
Don't worry I'm not going to get
on Joe Pa's back. I'm just tired
of doing it, I mean he probably
could use a good verbal bashing.
Anyways, Anthony Morelli was
only 16-35 passing for 188 yards,
with one touchdown. I guess
that's senior leadership, but when
freshman all around the NCAA are
putting up better numbers against
much stiffer competition one has to
wonder if this is the kind of senior
we need.
Losing to Michigan State is had,
but blowing a seventeen point
second half lead in a game that
means the difference between 9-3
and a New Years day bowl and 8-4
and who knows where, is pathetic.
As it stands now the Nittany
Lions finished fifth in the Big Ten
and are likely headed to either
the Alamo Bowl or the Champs
Sports Bowl. Neither of these bowl
games holds any great prestige and
both take place in the latter days
of December. The official bowl
announcement will likely come in
the first week or so of December.
In a somewhat interesting,
somewhat sports related side
note; the Pennsylvania Supreme
Court has ruled against the State
Employees' Retirement System.
What does this have to do with
PSU you ask? This case was
stemming from a lawsuit from the
Patriot News, requesting that Joe
Pa's salary be made public.
Now after years of legal scrapping
the public will know just how
much money is paid to the man
who roams our sideline. While this
doesn't seem like very hie news, it
could mean that a lot more people
might resume chanting JOE MUST
GO, when they compare his annual
compensation with his teams
annual results.
But then again, everyone might
be completely shocked at how,
little he gets paid, hut I doubt it.
After all he did have all that money
sitting around to donate \\ hen the
University wanted a new library
I have been informed that the PSU
Sports At A Glance column has
been rather remiss in its Coverage
of PSI I sports feats.
In particular Nve have failed
recognize our tennis team.
Freshman Tennis player Ashleigh
Roach is the first PSII student
athlete to win a NEAC conference
championship. Ashleigh won her
title after a grueling 3-hour and
15 minute championship match
rallying to win a 7-6 (8) tiebreaker.
Congratulations Ashleigh from
everyone here at PSII.
In other sports news the Lady
Lions Volleyball team has won
its fifth straight outright Big Ten
Conference Title. Coach Russ
Rose was name Big Ten Coach
of the Year; this is his ninth time
earning that distinction. The men's
basketball team is off to a 2-3
starts, losing all three games in the
Old Spice Classic. While the men's
team attempts to get the wheels
turning in the right direction; the
Lady Lions are off to a 5-1 start
Staff Reporter
MDM337@PSU.EDU
With college football games on hiatus until the bowl season begins, all eyes are on the NFL. This week features a rundown of each NFL game. With Playoffs around the corner, every game is
important
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rMIAMI DOLPHINS @ BUFFALO BILLS: What a year for Miami. They are not only on the bottom of the AFC East, but the entire NFL. On the bright
iiii, side, they should gain the first overall pick in next year's draft. Hopefully they don't use it for special teams. The Bills have had a surprisingly, decent
season so far. Lingering hopes of a playoff birth are fading away, but are nonetheless still present. With Trent Edwards at the helm, I think Buffalo's offense
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is more potent. The Dolphins have nothing to play for, which could make them dangerous, but I pick the Bills at Orchard Park, providing Marshawn Lynch
is healthy.
4 SAINT LOUIS RAMS @ CINCINNATI BENGALS: The Bengals have to be one of the more disappointing teams this year. High expectations have
qf resulted in a subpar season. Both Carson Palmer and Rudi Johnson have made little noise all year. The Rams, like Cincinnati, have not lived up to big
expectations. Both teams are at the bottom of the pack with little or no chance at making the playoffs. The game could be fun to watch however, since both
N, 6 1 ) squads have high-powered offenses and struggling defenses. Cincinnati gets the win in "The Jungle."
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A „tot DALLAS COWBOYS @ DETROIT LIONS: Behind Jon Kitna's guarantee of 10 wins, the Lions are over halfway there. However, with recent losses,
Detroit seems to be fading. The Cowboys are one of the best teams in the NFL. Tony Romo and Terrell Owens are a lethal combination. Despite the game
being contested under the roof of Ford Field, Dallas will win the game in dominating fashion.
47, OAKLAND RAIDERS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS: Brett Favre is having a career year. Given his Hall of Fame status, that is saying something. The
Raiders are in the midst of a down year, again. Surprisingly however, Oakland has remained competitive. Lambeau Field has seen legendary games. This
won't be one of them. Green Bay wins behind solid defense and a strong air attack.
r 44/i , SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ TENNESSEE TITANS: Sports reporters always said Vince Young wins. Well, lately that has not been the case. A poor
statistical season by Young has led the once promising Titans on a downward spiral. The Chargers are the most inconsistent team in the NFL. No team has
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a - looked more dominant or pathetic than San Diego. Even with the game being played in Nashville, the Chargers will continue their quest in solidifying the
{ T AFC West title.
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MiINEW YORK GIANTS (& PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: The New York "Football" Giants are trying the shake their annual second half collapse. Eli
Manning is supposedly continuing his progression. Unfortunately, neither is going well for the "G Men." The Eagles blitz consistently and Manning will
have trouble finding his receivers with that type of pressure. Whether it's McNabb or Feely, Philly will be victorious at Lincoln Financial and continue to
pressure NY for a wild card spot.
4 de CAROLINA PANTHERS ("& JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Will Carolina ever live up to expectations since their Super bowl loss? Not this year at
least. The Jags on the other hand are breathing down the necks of the Indianapolis Colts. Jacksonville is for real. David Garrad protects the football and
Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor provide a powerful running game. With the Panthers struggling yet again, look for the Jaguars to win at home in easy
fashion.
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~..1 MINNESOTA VIKINGS (a) SAN FRANSISCO 49ERS: At this point in the season, the Vikings and Niners are heading in opposite directions. At the
beginning of the year, predictions showed San Fran up and Minnesota down. Now, the Niners are toward the bottom and the Vikings are looking just outside
the playoffs. Adrian Peterson will win Rookie of the Year and will also help the Vikings beat the Niners on Bill Walsh Field. San Fran has a chance if a
healthy Frank Gore can run extremely well against a defense that hasn't allowed teams to do so thus far. Minnesota will not only win, but will make the
playoffs as long as Tavaris Jackson doesn't throw crucial interceptions.
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CHICAGO BEARS @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS: A big game in D.C. The Skins have a better offense and defense, but the Bears own the special
teams. Devin Hester is a game breaker and could very well determine the outcome of this contest. The key to the game however will be the play of the
quarterbacks. Rex Grossman and Jason Campbell should have identical game plans. No interceptions or fumbles. Turnovers will decide the winner, as it
tends to do. I'm picking the Redskins as long as they don't kick the ball to Devin Hester.
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TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ HOUSTON TEXANS: In what could be a great back and forth game, Tampa needs the win more. Houston has an
outside chance of landing a wild card birth, while the Buccaneers have their minds on a division championship. Jeff Garcia and Joey Galloway are ageless,
while Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson have the fountain of youth on their side. If Ahman Green is unable to go once more, the lack of consistent running
game will hurt the Texans. Tampa can squeak out a road victory if Ernest Graham gains 100 rushing yards or more. Buccaneers win a close game.
111104' ARIZONA CARDINALS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: A huge divisional game in which the winner could end up in the driver's seat. Arizona does not
play consistent enough for me to pick them over Seattle. The Seahawks pass the ball extremely well and the Cardinals turn the ball over too much. The
"12'"' Man" will rally behind their team and celebrate a victory at game's end.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS id DENVER BRONCOS: Quite simply, Jay Cutler is a better quarterback than Brodie Croyle. With this certainty, Denver will
defeat KC at Mile High. San Diego better keep watch. If they falter, the Broncos could sneak up behind them and take the division.
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' d PITTSBURGH STEELERS (Ot NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: The toughest challenge the Patriots will have the rest of the year will be the Steelers.
At , Pittsburgh will need to blitz on defense and run the spread on offense to have a chance at winning this game. New England needs to continue with what
, ./ they always do. Adjust and find a way to win, nobody does it better than New England. Foxboro will be smiling at the end of the game as Tom Brady will
outplay Big Ben, leading to a Patriots' "W."
CLEVELAND BROWNS (& NEW YORK JETS: Is there a better story in the National Football League this year then the Browns? Romeo Crennel has
finally mixed and molded a group of players to best fit his style of play. Cleveland has found a gem in Derek Anderson. The Jets are just not talented enough
to win this game, even if it is at home. The Browns are victorious and continue their march to the playoffs.
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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (& BALTIMORE RAVENS: Baltimore's defense is not what it used to be and the Colts are getting healthier. That is a recipe
for had news if you're the Ravens. This game should be similar to the Steelers/Ravens night game a few weeks back. Indy steam rolls Baltimore at M&T
Bank Stadium and gears up for a rematch with the New England Patriots in the playoffs.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ ATLANTA FALCONS: Joey Harrington in the Georgia Dome gives the Falcons a chance at beating the streaky Saints,
but I wouldn't bet on it. New Orleans is focused on winning their division and making some noise in the playoffs. Drew Brees will have to be error free and
Reggie Bush will have to run the ball effectively to win. The Saints should be able to do so against an average Atlanta defense. The Saints win in Atlanta
and this game could get out of control early.