I know that people are going to be quick to say “Yes, you won over three cupcakes, so what? It’s just going to be like last year where you get exposed by Big 10 teams who themselves are too weak to win a game against a real conference”. I know you’re thinking that, so let’s compare last year’s three opening games against this year’s.
2007
Florida International: They actually looked like they were trying to get blown out, but Penn State made a ton of first half mistakes, only led 24-0 at the half. It was 59-0 at the end only because Florida International is a garbage team who doesn’t belong in Division I-A. They used to constantly get routed by teams like Maine and Delaware. Remember, this year Iowa beat Maine 46-3, so that tells you how bad FIU is if they were a punching bag for Maine.
Notre Dame: Last year’s Notre Dame team was not good at all, they went 3-9 and were blown out by Air Force. We only beat them 31-10. Their only quality win was over an ailing UCLA team. Also, it took us three quarters to really get going here. Notre Dame intercepted Morelli and took it to the house to get an early lead before we took over. It brought back memories of 2004 and thumping UCF.
Buffalo: They led 3-0 after one quarter, and we were tied 3-3 near the end of the first quarter. Buffalo mistakes let us make it 17-3 at the half. They score on every posession in the fourth quarter. We win 45-24, but don’t exactly look impressive doing it. And reserves were only in for maybe the final five minutes.
2008
Coastal Carolina: After a quick 14-7 lead, the Chanticleers get on the board. We respond with a kickoff return for touchdown. Reserves are in by halftime where it’s 38-7, and their only other points were as time expired to make it 66-10. Unlike FIU, they looked like they were trying to pull off an upset (albeit failing miserably) and not just trying to keep the point spread less than 70.
Oregon State: These guys are not last year’s Notre Dame. Nonetheless, it’s a rout by halftime, and we win 45-14. This team the next week destroyed Hawaii, so it’s not like they were an easy win. And don’t tell me that they just didn’t show up, they seemed to be putting up a good fight, they kept our backups scoreless in the fourth quarter but punched in one of their own, and I believe attempted an onside kick.
@ Syracuse: You could argue that Syracuse is another body bag game, fine, but we looked a lot better on the road at Syracuse than the year before at home against Buffalo. Also, Syracuse, down as they might be, are still traditional rivals of Penn State. Maybe rivalry in name only, but still some history there. Penn State managed to thump Syracuse 55-13 with the third string offense and defense playing for the last 20 minutes of the game.
Also, be sure to factor in that Evans and Koroma, who are suspended now, will soon be back in the defense. I’d say Penn State has actually had their first real test in Oregon State, and passed with flying colors. You’d be delusional if you thought that Illinois would do much better. And there’s no possible way that Michigan beats Penn State for the tenth year in a row, especially given these circumstances. It isn’t just that Penn State is winning, but HOW they’re winning that makes me think they’re for real. They look a lot different than last year’s cupcake openers, which frankly looked a lot like 2004′s out of conference games.
Our defense is still Linebacker U tough, not as rough as the legendary defenses of old, but at least as potent as the 2005 defense (which gave opposing offenses nightmares), and the offense reminds me of the 1994 offense, or at least the impressive 1996 offense.
I’m disappointed that people can’t read more than two sentences nowadays before getting bored.
Anyways, if the Big 10 is as weak this year as some say, then Penn State should have no trouble bludgeoning teams like Ohio State and Wisconsin and giving coaches like Jim Tressel and Brett Bielma nightmares.
I disagree about Penn State not being on the same level as Georgia or Florida or USC. Didn’t Penn State just trounce Oregon State, a team who murdered Hawaii by a similar score to how Florida did? I’m not saying that Florida or Georgia would be a sacrificial lamb for Penn State, but I am saying that you should give them more regard than Ohio State (who, contrary to popular belief, is NOT the face of the Big Ten).
Penn State looks like a good team this year and should be taken seriously. I know their only real opponent so far is Oregon State, but I think you’ll see what I mean when they embarrass the rest of the Big 10.
