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Sorting through the blue and white mailbag:
Neil:
I haven't seen an opener this impressive since 1999 when No. 4 Penn State hosted No. 3 Arizona and thrashed them 41-7.
This was the year Penn State was one of the pre-season favorites to win it all and featured an all-time great linebacker, Lavar Arrington.
But, unfortunately, we faltered late in the season starting with an upset loss at home to Minnesota and ended up in the Alamo Bowl.
Time will tell how this season plays out, but we're off to an impressive start.
Marty Mehring, Port Matilda
Marty:
That Minnesota game was probably the second-most disappointing loss of Joe's career behind the 1978 Sugar Bowl.
Neil:
My wife asked me why I'm not looking at all the Penn State updates as much as I used to.
And she's right, for the first time I'm really half interested this year.
I think I hit the wall when Aiden Gibson flipped to Rutgers for more money and instant admission. I think Matt Campbell says the right stuff and is a great fit, but the game and the culture surrounding college football has changed so much.
Most rosters are in excess of $20 million a year in NIL and revenue sharing.
I'm more excited with the Steelers and the vibe McCarthy has brought this year.
The open daily reports and the players seem more excited than they ever did with Tomlin at the helm.
Steve Beigle, Chesterton, Ind.
(Note: The writer is an Altoona native).
Steve:
Happy wife, happy life.
Morning, Neil.
That was fun to watch. And different.
A coach who does not need to be front and center as the teams exits the tunnel, who lets the players get the attention. Wideouts who can get open, catch and run -- a novel concept after the past few years.
And down South, James beat up on VMI. Hokie fans, enjoy it while you can.
Larry Eisman, Conshocken
Morning, Larry:
I can tell you miss him.
Neil:
I just got done watching the Michigan game I have never seen them play so bad. They couldn't move the ball, and Underwood was terrible.
Western Michigan dominated.
If they continue to play this way, Penn State will kill them.
Leo Finney, Charlotte, Michigan
Leo:
I'm partial to Charlotte -- my mother's name.
Hi, Neil:
Happy for a win against Marshall, but somehow, it feels like a shallow victory.
You can take the Iowa State coaching staff and pretty much the entire Iowa State football team and march them out in Beaver Stadium in blue jerseys.
But it just doesn't feel like a Penn State team to me. Something I guess I will have to get used to.
Andy Mitchell, Montoursville
Andy:
It will take some time to get familiar with the Iowa State transfers.
I noticed in the pre-game introductions, PSU holders, especially Tony Rojas, brought the loudest cheers.
Neil:
It doesn't feel like my team anymore. It's a business now -- better for the players, but not the fans.
Rob Kramer, Silver Spring, Md.
Rob:
It's a good time to be a player, for sure.
Neil:
What a start to a new era.
The weather was perfect, the crowd was large and boisterous and what was seen on the field was a well-prepared, well-coached team that played with lots of energy and discipline.
Thank God Koby Howard decided to stay and not move on. How he was not used more last year remains a mystery, at least to those who don't closely follow the program.
John Pifer, Middlebury Center
John:
There are plenty of reasons to thank God, which I try to do daily.
But with all due respect, having a player remain with a program is not one of them.
Rudel vs. the oddsmakers
Line: Penn State is a 23.5-point favorite.
Inside the line: Both teams are 1-0 vs. number so far this year ... Lions have actually covered in six of their last seven games and seven of their last nine, albeit all but one under James Franklin ... Over-under is 49.5 ... Total has gone under in last three PSU games ... Owls have covered last two games vs. Nits, including 2015 upset, and last seven vs. Big Ten.
Prediction: Penn State 42, Temple 7
Prediction record: 1-0
PSU record vs. spread: 1-0
Prediction record vs. spread: 0-1
Neil Rudel will respond to brief questions and comments in Gameday. You can email him at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.