Neil:
The Virginia game cemented my total bitterness towards the NCAA mandating that this team be gutted while still alive.
Some of those players that left would have made a world of difference against Virginia.
Better to have given the death penalty than to leave the program flopping like a fish on the shore. I wish a complete curse on the NCAA biggies!
As it is, these kids left have played their hearts out.
Joe Maschue
Fact Box
Rudel vs. the oddsmakers
Line: Penn State is a 9-point favorite.
Inside the line: In last 18 games, Lions are 5-12-1 vs. spread but have covered two straight (at Virginia, vs. Navy) ... Over-under is 45 ... Lions have gone under in seven of last eight games, including all three this year ... Total has gone under in last five meetings between these teams and in eight of Temple's last 10 road games ... Owls haven't beaten PSU since 1941, but have covered last three vs. Nits, including 2011 at home when PSU, spotting 7, needed late TD to win.
Prediction: Penn State 24, Temple 10
Comment: A 2-2 record, at least this year, would almost be something to hoot about.
Prediction record: 2-1
Penn State vs. line: 2-1
Prediction record vs. line: 2-1
Altoona
Joe:
Based on what we've seen from the rest of the schedule, with the possible exception of Nebraska, I don't believe there's a game remaining that Penn State can not win.
Neil:
In retrospect, should Penn State have taken the one-year death penalty? This year's team was billed as the best we will see for the next eight years.
I can't imagine seven more years of sub-.500 football.
Mark Patla
Collegeville, PA
Mark:
Again, I don't think a one-year death penalty was offered or an option.
When it signed the consent decree, PSU was under the impression it was avoiding a multiple-year death penalty.
As I looked around the stadium Saturday, I still think they have a lot more to sell - even without bowl eligibility until 2016 - than most schools.
Neil:
Looking at the glass half full, I see a Penn State football program that should benefit from in-state kids who dreamt their whole lives of playing here and thought it was beyond any possibility. While that won't make them a consistent winner during the sanctions, it should make for a team we can root for in the meantime.
Christian Andros
Fredericksburg, VA
Christian:
Of those in-state kids who may walk on, should we start with some kickers?
Neil:
While waiting for the Penn State game to air, I watched most of the first two quarters of Ohio State vs. Cal.
It appeared to me a continuation of Meyer's Florida teams with regard to the players lacking discipline, showboating and dirty play. I saw players doing pretty much what they wanted without being corrected.
Since my observation was based upon less than two quarters, I was wondering if you have had a chance to see Ohio State play and if so what your evaluation was in this regard?
Bob Thorwart
Williamsport
Bob:
I didn't see enough of the game to comment on your points. What I did see were some gaping holes blown open by Cal's offensive line.
Neil:
My faith has been restored.
Dave Allison
Louisville
Dave:
Are you watching Penn State football or Sunday morning TV?
Rudel will respond to comments weekly in Gameday. Longer letters will be considered for the Mirror's Voice of the Fan page on Sundays. Rudel can be reached at 946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com. You can also follow him on Twitter@neilrudel.
