Closing Arguments - Penn State
by Paterno Ave on Sep 2, 2010 6:38 PM CDT
in Penn State
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"It's the name on the front of the jersey that matters most,
not the one on the back."
- Joseph V. Paterno
I. Case History/Opening Statement
A. Case History
We Penn State fans know two histories. When a conversation comes up about which program has more tradition (otherwise referred to as "better"), we invoke our place among that ten- to fifteen-team long list of college football royalty. We can talk about national titles, undefeated seasons, being in the 800-win club, a hall of fame coach/patron saint, and having one of the few stadiums in the country to fit over 100,000 screaming lunatics fans.
Make your picks in Off Tackle Empire's Annual Obligatory Predictions Competition...This weeks toughest pick? Michigan v. UConn...
However, when someone wants to talk about recent success, we have a very definite timeframe in mind: the past five years, also known as the post-"Dark Years." Things were ugly from 2000-2004. We know. We have blacked it out, and do not understand why everyone else hasn't. From 2005 through last season, however, things have brightened up. We've assumed a position among the conference elite, occasionally capable of putting the local bully Ohio State in its place and trouncing lesser-talented opponents on a consistent basis. I think the fanbase would agree when I say that we're still a step away from where we want to be, but being tied for 7th best winning percentage in the nation over the last five years is not too shabby.
In 2010, this Penn State team will make history in two categories. First, for the first time in Coach Joe's 45 seasons as coach at Penn State, a true freshman quarterback will start in the Nittany Lion's first game. Second, this year's squad will be first team to face three BCS-bowl winners of the previous season...and is playing in enemy territory in all three instances. Will the rest of the team provide the rookie QB with the help he needs to be successful? Is Penn State going to start off with three losses on opening day because of how tough those opponents look on paper? Take your seat in the jury box and hit the jump to find out.
B. Opening Statement
II. Discovery
A. Pop Music Teaches Us
B. Off Tackle Empire Says
Here's some of what we've written about Penn State over the off-season:
Big Ten Stadiums: Beaver Stadium
Evaluating the Mechanics: Kevin Newsome
Keeping the Enemy Closer: Noveau Rival?
Spring Field Guide: Penn State
Summation: Penn State in the Aughts
Past as Prelude: Predicting PSU's Defensive Success in 2010
III. Emotional Plea
A. You Just Can't Hate JoePa
Do I really need to explain this? The man is a living legend that did not only grow a football powerhouse out of a cow pasture and hard work, but lead the college football world by example for the better part of five decades. Even if you somehow dislike him (I'm looking at you, Commie Ohio State), you have to consider that this may actually be his last season. You're watching history. There will be plenty of successful college football coaches in the future, but I don't see the current college football landscape creating too many more legends. So put your zombie jokes on hold for just a minute this season and enjoy watching a guy who does it the right way.
IV. The Verdict
A. The Staff Calls the Games
Graham Filler: 9-3, losses to Alabama, Iowa, and Ohio State
Jonathan Franz: 10-2, losses to Alabama and Ohio State
Bama Hawkeye: 9-3, losses to Alabama, Iowa, and Ohio State
Paterno Ave: 9-3, losses to Alabama, Northwestern, and Ohio State
GregGoBlue: 9-3, losses to Alabama, Iowa, and Ohio State
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MY Boys of Fall
So, a few weeks ago, I heard Kenny Chesney’s new song “The Boys of Fall” on the radio for the first time. (Even if you don’t like country music, YouTube it. Cause if you’re here, that means you like football, which means you should hear this song.) It made me think about this upcoming Nittany Lions season and I got so emotional, I started crying. No, not crying. BALLING. Like inappropriately sobbing. Embarrassing, I know, but when you really think about the implications of this season, especially for Joe, it is kind of intense for a lifelong Penn State fan. I am pleased to say I will be in the stands on Nov. 27th for the Michigan State game, the last home game of the season and possibly JoePa’s career. I think you’ve nailed it on the head here for this upcoming season, and while I see 9-3 as the pretty safe standard, I could also see an epically amazing season. I do not forsee a win in Tuscaloosa, but an unanticipated upset could be in the cards elsewhere in the schedule. Regardless, though, I think the Nittany Lions will make history in several ways this seasons, and we’re already off to an exciting and intriguing start. LET’S GO STATE!
Joe Paterno is my adopted grandfather.
Nittany Lion Love,
Meredith
by PaternosGranddaughter on Sep 2, 2010 9:17 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, I’m ready. Penn State QB is probably the most watched position in the Big Ten this year.
Off Tackle Empire
The quintessential Big Ten smoking room.
by Graham Filler on Sep 2, 2010 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Robert Bolden, good luck.
You’ve got your work cut out for you…
My hatred of Michigan knows no bounds. Even more so after this travesty.
September 1st, 2010. A day that shall live in infamy.
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 2, 2010 9:50 PM CDT reply actions
Indeed
From Penn State fans everywhere to Robert Bolden:
Good luck, we’re all counting on you.
I am serious.
Don’t call me “Shirley”.
Oh no, don't tell me Matt Barkley ALSO doesn't tie his shoes...
September 1st, 2010. A day that shall live in infamy.
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 3, 2010 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
win one last one for the zipper
"It was fun. It really was, ... People say to me, 'Why don't you give it up?' I don't want to miss out on this stuff, because I'm having a good team. I've never had a bad season when I didn't have a good time." JVP
by psu in the w-b on Sep 3, 2010 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions
If Bolden can keep from turning it over
Penn State has a chance at Alabama. Ohio State? Iowa? Wisconsin?
/in thick Russian accent…
They vill break you
Bolden will be the most scrutinzed player in the Big Ten. If he can hold up, PSU is right in the mix for the Big Ten title, but that’s asking an awful lot from a freshman.
"Whoever said that the pen is mightier than the sword never encountered automatic weapons."
Nothing to really base this on, but I did pick MSU to be the surprise team this season, so I have to pick one team to struggle this year. Sorry Penn St, I choose you for that honor. Please prove me wrong because I’d rather you make a Jan 1 bowl than a Detroit or Texas Bowl.
Penn St 7-5 (4-4); losses to Alabama, @Iowa, Northwestern, @Ohio St, Mich St
And now
All I can imagine is Joe “Apollo” Paterno laying on the mat as Kirk Ferentz looks over to the Penn State corner and says, “If he dies. He dies.”
"Bama Hawkeye, you know, the Iowa blogger who actually uses reason and analysis." - Hawkeye State
"Off Tackle Empire":http://www.offtackleempire.com
by Bama Hawkeye on Sep 3, 2010 7:43 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Isn't the better analogy to Rocky III?
I mean, if anyone is going to be Mickey, dying at the hands (somewhat) of Mr. T, I think it’s Joe Paterno….
(By the way, where would “Mr. T kills Joe Paterno” rate in terms of “biggest tabloid stories of all time”? I’d say it’d surpass even the OJ Simpson murder case….)
I'm sorry
I put Paterno in the ring as Creed. Your analogy to Mickey makes sense too.
The important part though, is death to Penn State.
"Bama Hawkeye, you know, the Iowa blogger who actually uses reason and analysis." - Hawkeye State
"Off Tackle Empire":http://www.offtackleempire.com
by Bama Hawkeye on Sep 3, 2010 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Ferentz, no.
Saban, yes.
"If you need a rah-rah speech at halftime, you’re playing the wrong sport." - Pat Angerer
Backup duty
Or transfer to Minnesota. Both are about the same level of punishment.
Oh no, don't tell me Matt Barkley ALSO doesn't tie his shoes...
September 1st, 2010. A day that shall live in infamy.
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 3, 2010 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Hahahhahah
Visit Inside The Shoe
The Buckeye blog for every fan!
by Ian_InsideTheShoe on Sep 3, 2010 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Who's QB situation is worse:
UM or PSU?
When asked why he went for 5, Tate responded "..because I couldn't go for 6...".
http://www.insidetheshoe.com/
by SouthBayBuckeye on Sep 3, 2010 10:46 AM CDT reply actions
Michigan's.
Penn State has a good idea of what they’re getting.
Michigan, on the other hand…Well, I thought Matt Barkley had switched personalities with Denard Robinson, according to my signature…
Oh no, don't tell me Matt Barkley ALSO doesn't tie his shoes...
September 1st, 2010. A day that shall live in infamy.
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 3, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Jury's out
State Penn is staring right down the barrel at a 8-4 season at best. See you in the Shoe. We’ll be the commies laughing as your CB’s tackle each other…again
More frequently than an alcoholic diabetic, Ohio State pisses excellence, week in and week out
I'm still quite baffled as to who people think Penn State will lose to...
outside of tOSU, Iowa and Bama.
Besides Iowa in ‘08 and ’09 I don’t think Penn State has lost to a team it’s been favored to beat since ’05. Paterno and Co tend not to drop random games to teams like Northwestern, Purdue, etc. lately.
Can you name another team on our schedule we shouldn’t be favored to beat that would give us that 4th loss?
by mvrck on Sep 3, 2010 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Nittany Lions
I agree with JoePa. This week’s game with Alabama will be a learning experience. Hopefully, the team will hold its own. Good Luck Lions.
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