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Sorting through the blue and white mailbag:
Neil:
I have a Jack Ham story.
A few years ago as my two sons and I were crossing through a parking lot headed for the gate to enter the game. We spotted Jack walking just ahead of us.
My one son called out to him, and he turned to face us. We approached and shook his hand and asked if we could get a picture with him. He said, "You look like some good fans."
We got our picture which hangs in our Penn State room.
We hope and pray for Jack and his family and hope for a quick recovery.
John Pifer, Middlebury Center
John:
You speak for all of us.
Hey, Neil,
Absolutely amazing trip to Seattle. The Blue and White faithful showed up and showed out.
Thrilled with the resilience the team showed once momentum changed so drastically.
In the last decade or so, I can't remember a game where our offense took control of our last possession and successfully controlled the clock which ultimately led to our victory.
Well done, Nits.
Cindy Miller, Atlanta
Hey, Cindy:
Could be building block.
Neil:
I agree with you completely with your comments on the ugly incidents directed toward the coaches and their family members. No place for that in sports. We need to be better.
I was at the Purdue game last week, and it was disappointing to see all the empty seats. Many individuals missed a chance to see a nice win.
More victories should fill those empty seats.
Bruce Leavens, Hamilton, N.J.
Bruce:
We'll see about Saturday.
Students will be on break for Rutgers next week, not exactly the opponent to keep them hanging around.
P.S. How's your pickleball?
Neil:
I hope Coach Campbell learns how to be aggressive and "play to win." He seems to "play not to lose" more often.
Dan Wallace, Doylestown
P.S.: I hate the 7 p.m. kickoff.
Dan:
Campbell's philosophy is interesting in that no lead is safe in the Big 12.
Neil:
By my count, Penn State has now been outscored 84-40 in the second half of Big Ten games. I think Purdue is the only time they were not outscored in the second half.
Makes you wonder what they're doing in the locker room at halftime. Can we just keep them on the field to watch the band and maybe do laps around the track at halftime?
Because whatever they're doing in the locker room is not working.
Ira Miller, Morton Grove, Ill.
Ira:
Are you suggesting there's a hot-dog line?
They definitely start better than they finish, which means their pre-game preparation is ahead of their ability to adjust.
Neil:
The big elephant in the room is the huge increase in ticket prices and donation required for fans in 2027.
We have been season ticket holders for 20-plus years, and we are taking pause at next year's bill. Many of our fellow ticket holder friends are thinking likewise.
It is unfortunate that these increases come at this time. This won't affect this year's empty-seat situation, but I expect that the ticket office is scrambling to retain season-ticket holders.
John Graham, Boalsburg
John:
Penn State overplayed its hand.
Neil:
What time is the Pitt game?
Andy Mitchell, Montoursville
Andy:
Good one.
I miss it, too.
What's crazy, though, is since the annual series ended in 1992, they've only played eight times -- two four-game series (1997-2000 and 2016-2019) -- in 34 years.
PSU has played Pitt 100 times. The next most frequent opponent is Syracuse at 71.
And if the Nits were playing Pitt as their season-ending home game next week, rather than Rutgers, Beaver Stadium would be full.
Rudel vs. the oddsmakers
Line: Penn State is a 9.5-point favorite.
Inside the line: Favorite is 5-2 vs. spot in last seven meetings ... In last meeting (2024), PSU was -11
at Minnesota and needed a fake punt to win, 26-25 ... Over-under is 42.5 ... Nits are 3-2 vs. spot at home this year ... In last nine matchups, visitor is 1-8 vs. number with five straight losses vs. spread. (Source: Phil Steele).
Prediction: Penn State 31, Minnesota 21
Prediction record: 6-3
PSU record vs. spread: 5-4
Prediction record vs. spread: 4-5
Neil Rudel will respond to brief questions and comments in Gameday. You can email him at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.