Hey Guys -

Love the blog, read it all the time and you help me get through my day.  Wanted to ask you guys what your thoughts were on PSU's misfortune of Linebacker injuries in the pre-season.  With the recent news of Michael Mauti getting injured, does this raise alarm to the recent trend thats been happening?  PSU LB injuries that come to mind are Paul Posluszny, Sean Lee, and now Mauti.

Is this the fault of the facilities (ie indoor turf) they are practicing on?  Types of drills they are doing? Etc. Or do we just chalk this up to bad luck.

Love to hear what you guys think.

Ok I'm out of my mind estatic for this PSU team for the big W last night.  I noticed some things last night that really bothered me though...

1.  Did anyone notice some blown calls last night?  How about the roughing the kicker no call?  Boone got tackled to the ground and there was no call!  Also what about the no holding calls?  I swear I saw at least two plays where Maybin and team were totally held and there was no call.  WTF.  At least this team rose above the home-cooking that was blatant last night.

2.  The media.  I'm sure everyone could go on and on about this but come on.  The one thing that really bothered me last night was the interview of Pat Devlin at the end of the game.  Did anyone see this?  The reporter instead of congratulating Pat Devlin for carrying the Lions to victory and the game winning drive(s), asked how Darryl Clark is doing.  I'm just glad he had a fantastic response and gave it right back to her and was completely humble and modest.  And what about Kirk calling the game?!  I love Herbstreit and I think he is one of the best but come on, they need to get someone else out there for the game.  When the guy comes out with his kids all dressed in Buckeye gear during College Gameday, there is going to be obvious bias.

I sound like sour grapes right now, but I just had to get these things off my chest.  Congrats PSU!!!!!!

I know we talk about this all the time but just another sign that our conversations are justified.  ESPN's Big Ten blog came out with the top five big ten rivalries and surprise, surprise we didn't even make the list.  It just upsets me that we don't have a true big ten rival.  Call it jealousy or envy but it would be great to have a game each year where not only PSU fans considered it a rival but the entire nation.  Can we please replace MSU?  Any chance Pittsburgh joins the Big Ten?

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigten/0-1-125/Ranking-the-Big-Ten-rivalries.html

Not sure if anyone has seen this but this is pretty big news and has direct correlation to PSU football.  I can't help but think Schiano put this into the contract because he has either insider knowledge or has been given a verbal that JoePa will be done by 2009.  Even if the stadium isn't done by 2009, something tells me that Schiano would leave in a heart beat if he's getting the PSU job.  Plus Rutgers is only going to fine him $500k, seems pretty small compared to R-Rod's 4 million.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3501399

Was going through SI.com and ran across a pretty funny article comparing big ten and beer.  They pretty much went through every program and labeled a beer that was most comparable for the program.  Not sure about PSU being Rolling Rock.  I do like Michigan States beer comparison and description though.  I'm trying to think of a better comparison for us, any suggestions?

http://thecollegefootballguys.blogspot.com/2008/07/big-ten-and-beer.html

Does anyone else read what Dennis Dodd writes on CBS sportsline?  He always trashes PSU and his latest "Top 25" is no different.  For some unknown reason he has dropped out PSU from the top 25 without any explination. 

Teams in front of us?  Cincinnati (25), Fresno State (24), Mich State (23), Pittsburgh (22), Connecticut (21)

Are you freaking kidding me?!  Seeing Connecticut at #21 makes me want to throw up.

http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10813944