Blue-White Roundtable

Mike from BSD (Congrats, BTW) has the questions this week. Please also checkout our co-conspirators for Blue-White excellence at RUTS and TNL. On to the awesomeness!

Huzzah! Preseason practice starts this week! Which position or unit on the team makes you cry yourself to sleep at night hoping they do better than last year?

It has to be the offensive line. It is also clear that if the offensive line plays better than Morelli will also play better. Nobody is accusing him of being a mobile qb but the offense will be much better in general if Morelli not only is not concussed but also has time to plant his feet and step into his passes.

Which position or unit does everyone fuss over that makes you smile with confidence because you know they will be just fine?

It is easily the secondary. Everybody points to Scirrotto's troubles and the addition of A.J. Wallace at DB and moving Davis to safety as signs of the defensive apocalypse for PSU. However, it is quite clear that King is a premier corner in college football and that Wallace has the skills to be a big time cover corner as well. There aren't a lot of teams that will be able to pass the ball effectively if a defense can shut down both their first and second WRs. They'll be fine. Don't believe me? That's why I'm smilin!

Last week the USA Today unveiled the preseason coaches’ poll. Penn State came in ranked #18. Fair, unfair, or about right?

It is just about right with a small caveat. I don't really see how Tennessee should be ranked above Penn State. I know that last year's results mean nothing this year but I still can't quite accept that this year's Tennesee team is better than this year's PSU squad. Anyway, there are a bunch of reasons not to rank PSU any higher than they were. Off-season fights, possible suspensions, three top ten teams on the schedule. All very good reasons to be dubious. The Lions are themselves setting their goal as a national title. I, for one, think they have a shot at it.

How much value do you put in preseason polls?

Not too much. I think it would be smarter not to release preseason polls at all and release the first poll after the first three weeks of the season have come and gone. That being said, I don't want the polls to go ANYWHERE! I love the pre-season polls because it give s us so much to talk about. It is great! Not smart, but great!

Lightning Round

What are the odds Penn State beats Michigan?

9-5. I think Michigan is a great team but Penn State certainly has a good chance. All I know is that if you are going to watch one Penn State game all year than this is the one to watch.What are the odds Penn State wins the Big Ten?

7-5. If Penn State beats Michigan they will win the Big Ten and (I'll say it again) they will play for a national title. However, even if they lose to Michigan they could still win the Big Ten. See the 2005 season.

What are the odds Jay Paterno calls a slant pass this year?

You know, sometimes the Penn State offense boggles my mind. There are some plays they love to call and then they don't seem to have a bubble screen in the bag. It absolutely boggles my mind.

GO STATE! PRACTICE IS HERE! GET FIRED UP FOR THE FALL!