Starter or not, you’ve really got to hand it to Matt McGloin. He’s got moxie unseen in these parts since a quarterback by the name of Michael Robinson roamed the sidelines at Beaver Stadium. When he’s not rallying a team from a 21 point deficit or enjoying a friendly game of trashcan football, he’s out there challenging the punctuality of the student section for the big game this Saturday.
PSU student section try to get to the game early on Saturday. This is a big one for us
Quarterback, field general, bench warmer, cheerleader. Number 11 can seemingly do it all. And once you put aside your own personal opinions of the oft-criticized walk-on, its hard not to agree with his challenge to the student section.
#2 Alabama is the highest ranked opponent to visit Happy Valley since top-ranked Ohio State rolled into Beaver Stadium in 2007. Since then, Penn State fans have seen a few marquee non-conference opponents at home, Oregon State in 08, Syracuse in 09, but none that comes close to the cachet or build-up the likes of the Crimson Tide. In fact, Alabama has not crossed the Mason Dixon line to play an opponent since 1989. If that, by itself doesn’t excite students enough to leave their tailgates a little earlier to work their way through the lines in time for a 3:30pm kickoff, nothing will.
Even the players know full well what a win over a top-5 SEC team on national television would mean for Penn State, and if they can recognize the role the student section would play in pulling the upset, the students should too.
That’s the mantra this squad has adopted for the 2011 season. And on a muggy, 85 degree Fall afternoon, the Nittany Lions put on a display of toughness often lacking from last season’s edition before the 96,461 fans who braved the heat to watch Penn State rout the Sycamores of Indiana State by a score of 41-7.
Sure, the game seemed to be nothing more than a glorified scrimmage on paper, but there was far more riding on the team’s performance against the Sycamores than just the final score. This was finally an opportunity for Penn State to put on their pads, strap on their helmets and answer some unresolved questions surrounding this squad since the final whistle at the Outback Bowl last season.
Specifically, the position battle at quarterback.
In fact, heading into the season opener, Joe Paterno admitted both Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin would receive significant playing time Saturday, a disturbing, but clear indication that neither player has emerged as a clear-cut winner for the starting position. And so 96,461 fans risked heat stroke and packed Beaver Stadium against a subdivision opponent Saturday just for the opportunity to watch the Penn State crown it’s next starting quarterback.
Unfortunately, both Bolden and McGloin offered fans a first-hand glimpse into just how tough the quarterback battle has been all offseason with neither one emerging as a clear cut winner on Saturday. Rob Bolden started the game and managed to lead the Lions to just 1 touchdown drive in 6 possessions. But that number could have easily been 3 touchdown drives, had it not been for first-quarter drops by Derek Moye and Justin Brown on a pair of deep catchable balls that could have easily gone for touchdowns. He eventually finished 6 of 12 for 37 yards.
Drives
Touchdowns
Snaps
Stats
Yards
Rob Bolden
6
1
36
6/12
37
Matt McGloin
4
3
26
6/8
77
McGloin had better stats on the day, completing 6 of 8 passes for 77 yards leading the Lions to 3 touchdowns in 4 drives, though one came on a short field following a turnover. In fact, McGloin’s drives had a better average starting position, at the PSU 43 compared to the PSU 38 for Bolden. Despite recording better stats, McGloin’s decision-making was also suspect at times, including a ill-advised pass attempt right at defensive end Phil Walker while being sacked. Fortunately Walker dropped the ball, but that type of play that could have been a game-breaking touchdown next weekend against Alabama and is reminiscent of of his questionable decision-making when he threw 5 interceptions against Florida in the Outback Bowl. So a virtual dead-heat that puts us back where we started. Even Joe Paterno admitted both quarterbacks played well and suggested the possibility that both will take the field next week. A surprising admission for a coach who is notoriously skeptical about playing multiple quarterbacks.
“I think both of them are going to play, I think both of them can play… They’ve been under an awful lot of pressure because of the media, and everybody else wants to know who’s going to play quarterback… I think that they’re fine. They’ll get better. I think overall they did a pretty good job.”
Aside from the quarterback battle, there were plenty of positives from Saturday on both sides of the ball. On offense, the early development of a punishing running attack was surprising given the early season struggles in the run game during the last few seasons. Even against overmatched early season opponents, the Nittany Lions often struggled to find the right balance on the offensive line, often failing to dominate the trenches as expected. The Lions only managed to rack up 132 yards on the ground against subdivision Youngstown State in last year’s opener. Against the Sycamores, the Penn State run game was absolutely punishing. The Nittany Lions rushed the ball 48 times for 245 total yards and 5 touchdowns. Silas Redd wowed fans Saturday finishing with 104 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 12 carries, an average of 8.7 yards a carry.
The defense, much maligned last season for their lack of intensity was even more impressive holding the Sycamores to 170 total yards and forcing 3 turnovers; interceptions by Drew Astorino and Adrian Amos and a fumble recovery by Jordan Hill. A welcome sign for a unit that had struggled to force turnovers (just 17 total; 7 forced fumbles, 10 interceptions) last season. Penn State played a near-flawless game defensively Saturday, pitching a shutout that lasted 57 minutes before Indiana State scored on a 20 yard touchdown pass against Penn State’s third and fourth stringers with 2:16 left in the game.
Aside from the kicking game, still suffering the effects of losing projected starter Anthony Fera to off-field issues, it was a near perfect outing for the Nittany Lions Saturday. However, with the top-ranked Crimson Tide rolling into town next weekend, the Lions can ill afford the distractions of a quarterback controversy. The idea of playing both quarterbacks next weekend does little to aid continuity at such a key position. Penn State fans should remember 1999 and the quarterback-by-committee battle between Rashard Casey and Kevin Thompson, one that started with a #1 ranking and ended with 3 straight regular-season losses. By this point, the coaching staff should just name a starter, give him the opportunity to take most of the first-team reps and let the chips fall where they may.
It’s an institution of the Penn State blogosphere, and sure enough, it’s back for the 2011 season. That’s right, what we’ve got here is a genuine, bona-fide, electrified Blue/White Roundtable. There might be fewer seats, what with Black Shoe Diaries swallowing up half the blogs that used to participate, but we’ll forgive them, since it’s BSD’s Adam Collyer with this week’s questions, and, I assume, the write-up tomorrow. I’m not sure who else will be participating, but I’d say it’s a safe bet that you can check out William F. Yurasko and Nittany Lions’ Den over the next day or two and read their thoughts.
Now, to the fun part:
1. Let’s get this out of the way right now – how does everyone feel about Robert Bolden and Matt McGloin being even on the depth chart? How do you feel about the proposed time sharing plan for Saturday’s game against Indiana State?
Take your pick, Joe.
It doesn’t surprise me, but that doesn’t mean I like it. Granted, I understand the thinking–practice can only simulate a real game scenario so much, and getting Bolden and McGloin on the field in a real, competitive, scenario will be more telling, even if it is a warm-up game against the most delicious of cupcakes. In theory, one could outplay the other, and prove himself “the guy” moving forward, but that’s not likely. While it would be a story if either quarterback struggled, I doubt that’ll be the case, at least not beyond the usually early season uneasiness as a team starts to gel. To me, the bigger issue is just that–a lack of a true starter means a lack of one quarterback getting all the first team reps. It’s even in the little exchanges–getting the ball from under center, handing it off to the running back–not to mention timing plays, especially on passes–where that kind of experience matters, and denying it from the team could be a form of self sabotage. I’m a staunch member of #teamBolden, but at this point, I’d rather see Matt McGloin named the starter tomorrow than head into Alabama without knowing who’s going to be first off the bus.
2. What are you looking for out of the offense this week? Will the offense we see on Saturday set the tone for the rest of the year?
This week, I just want to see crispness and efficiency. We know how Joe Paterno, Galen Hall, and Jay Paterno like to play this early-season matchups–they’re designed to get the pieces moving smoothly, not to run up the score and impress pollsters. We’ll see guys getting extended playing time who certainly don’t figure into Penn State’s greater offensive plans, and we’ll see plenty from others vying for spots. Neither quarterback will have the benefit of the full playbook, and I’d be shocked to see anything more than the most conservative of offensive schemes. That sad, I’m going to be watching the offensive line most closely–if they can’t bully around an Indiana State front seven, they’ll have no chance against Alabama. I don’t just want to see them play well, I want to see the line dominate. Aside from that, I’m excited to see Silas Redd emerge as the #1 running back this year, and to see guys like Brandon Beachum, Curtis Drake, and Andrew Szczerba coming back from elongated injury absences.
3. Do you expect the defense to be significantly upgraded from last year?
This was three years ago. Woah.
Yes, and for two reasons: Bani Gbadyu graduated, and Chris Colasanti graduated. The last time I was this excited for addition by subtraction was when Anthony Morelli moved on, and it didn’t matter which of Pat Devlin or Daryll Clark would be quarterback, because either would be a giant step up from Morelli. In this case, we don’t have unknowns filling in for Gbadyu and Colasanti, we have Mike Mauti, who’s tantalized Penn State fans for three years and, if healthy, is a legitimate All-America candidate. Gerald Hodges, Glenn Carson, Nate Stupar, Khairi Fortt, Mike Hull…does it get any better than Penn State’s simply unreal depth at linebacker? Last year, Penn State’s biggest problem on defense was injuries. The defensive line was decimated, at times, and so was the linebacking corps. Nick Sukay got hurt just as he was turning a corner, and depth there was lacking. The loss of Pete Massaro hurts, but should this unit stay healthy, I expect a significant step up from last year. If the reports are to be believed, this was one of the toughest, most demanding training camps in recent memory. If the coaching staff was able to impart some much needed toughness, maybe the Penn State defense can get its swagger back.
4. Outside of the money earned, these games are no-win situations for major powers. A win is expected and anything less than complete dominance is a cause for concern. How do you define success for Penn State this week?
Success would be both quarterbacks playing phenomenally, the defense pitching a shutout, Silas Redd breaking tackles and running past outmatched defenders, and the offensive line pushing around Indiana State’s front seven. It’s Mike Mauti flying from sideline to sideline, beheading Indiana State’s skill players, and Jack Crawford finally looking like the player we thought he’d be by now. Frankly, this is little more than a glorified scrimmage, but Penn State is a team with significant question marks. Being able to answer even a few of those would make this game a successful one.
5. Predictions?
Penn State wins, 51-10. McGloin outplays Bolden, and that’s all anyone will talk about.
It’s finally here. Months of in-house visits, phone calls, text messages, and premature panic has led up to today when Penn State officially welcomes the Class of 2011. We will keep you updated as the Letters of Intent (LOI) roll in throughout the day. Although with one of the smaller classes Penn State will sign in recent seasons (you only have 85 scholarships, and we are not the SEC West), it should be a fairly predictable LOI Day.
But like every Signing Day, there will be some drama involved especially across the Big Ten landscape. For the Penn State faithful, keep an eye out for safety/cornerback Adrian Amos, who is scheduled to make his decision at 3pm. Will he stick with his original verbal at UConn despite Randy Edsall’s departure or choose the Blue and White becoming the 16th member of the Class of 2011?
We’ll have it all throughout the day.
RECAP
[Update 3:35] So barring any stunning surprises, this will be it for the Penn State Class of 2011. As expected, every one of Penn State’s verbals signed with the Lions. The only surprise on Signing Day came from Adrian Amos who decomitted from his original verbal to UConn and chose to play for Penn State. For a class that many fans felt was on the brink of disaster just a few months ago, the coaching staff really wrapped this one up nicely. Sure it would have been nice to pick up Kyshoen Jarrett, Albert Louis-Jean or even Blake Countess, recruits that would propel this recruiting class into the Top 25, but considering how limited the number of scholarships we could have given for this class, and that we just signed the B1G’s top ranked class just last season, this was anticipated.
This recruiting season, we saw Penn State address two huge areas of need, and that’s reflected in the final commit list. 9 of Penn State’s 16 signees-and most of their highest profile recruits–will play in the trenches, either along the offensive or defensive lines. But that success didn’t carry over to the staff’s other priority–the defensive secondary. Although Adrian Amos was a nice pickup and fills a key need in this class, CB Shyquawn Pullium was the only other recruit in this class that was projected to play in the secondary. This will make the secondary a critical area of need that the coaching staff will definitely be focused on for next year’s recruiting class.
TIMELINE
[Update 3:16]Donovan Smith – 4 star offensive tackle by both Rivals and Scout just sent in his LOI to Penn State. Given Penn State’s struggles along the offensive line in recent years, it’s encouraging to see them focus on that position in this year’s recruiting. Smith now joins Angelo Mangiro and Anthony Zettel as highly sought after linemen who have committed to Penn State in this year’s class. The 6-6, 280 pound offensive tackle picked the Lions over fellow finalists NC State and UCLA during a break at the Army All-American Bowl last month. He also held multiple offers from the likes of West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, and Michigan State, among others.
[Update 3:11 pm]Adrian Amos – 3 star safety by Rivals, Scout, and ESPN just selected and sent in his LOI to Penn State! Originally a UConn verbal, the Maryland native reopened his commitment following Randy Edsall’s departure for, ironically enough, Maryland. This left less than a month for the Penn State coaching staff to recruit Amos, but it seems as if it has paid off. Amos just announced that he will be trading in UConn’s shade of Blue and White for Penn State’s Blue and White. The first team all-state player, and standout in the Crab Bowl racked up 78 tackles last year, to go along with 4 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. A true safety, Amos is simultaneously a ball hawk and a heavy hitter, combining solid size–he’s listed at 6’1, 205 pounds–and good speed with nice ball skills. His highlight tape is impressive, and he may be instantly able to step in and improve a very thin Penn State secondary.
[Update 2:49 pm]Shawn Oakman – 4 star DE by both Rivals (#20 DE) and Scout (#19 DE) just sent in his LOI to Penn State. The 6’8, 240 lb defensive end out of Penn Woods in Lansdowne, PA was the first recruit the get the recruiting ball rolling following a long arduous offseason for fans when Penn State had just 1 verbal. Also a highly touted basketball recruit, Oakman has a tremendous frame and can also be slotted in tight end, a position he also played in high school. At Penn Woods, he finished his junior season with 136 tackles, 17 sacks and four fumbles caused. Offensively, he had 20 catches for four touchdowns.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Oakman, who plans on wearing No. 91 at State College. “It came down to what I thought what college should be and also what college coach was going to push from being good to being great. I think Coach Johnson and Coach Vanderlinden can do that. That’s why I choose Penn State.”
[Update 2:22 pm]Bill Belton – 4 star recruit by both Rivals (#25 ATH) and Scout (#13 WR) just sent in his LOI to Penn State. Like Ben Kline, Belton was originally a Pitt verbal but eventually decommitted following the Dave Wannstedt and Mike Haywood coaching fiasco and elected to go with the Lions shortly after. The 5’9, 180-pounder was one of the top athletes on the east coast, and his offer sheet reflects that. In addition to offers from Pitt, West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Penn State he was courted by programs as far south as Florida and Georgia Tech, and to the west, from Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Oregon. He became the first New Jersian to pass for 2000 yards and run for 1000 in consecutive seasons, completing 61% of his passes with 21 touchdowns through the air. And on the ground, he ran for more than 6 yards a pop with another 16 touchdowns, a pure testament to his elite athleticism.
We should now be just waiting on Shawn Oakman and Donovan Smith. If Adrian Amos picks the Lions at 3pm, that would be icing on the cake.
[Update 12:45 pm]Anthony Zettel – #5 DE in the country by Rivals / #8 G by Scout. A longtime Wolverines fan who was considered a lock for Michigan until his verbal back in December has sent his LOI in to Penn State.
“Just a great education there, the family atmosphere that they have and great coaching,” Zettel said when asked what set PSU apart. “They teach their players to be good guys and good football players.”
“I liked Michigan, I just didn’t feel like the chemistry was there as much as Penn State,” Zettel said. “It’s not like I didn’t like one thing (about Michigan), I just liked Penn State in every aspect.”
Word is because of the increment weather the NCAA is actually allowing prospects to email/photo their LOIs. We are now just down to Bill Belton, Shawn Oakman, Donovan Smith, and Adrian Amos who is scheduled to announce at 3pm.
[Update 10:22 am]Shyquawn Pullium – 3 star CB by both Rivals and Scout has sent in his LOI to Penn State. Originally considered an ATH/DB prospect, Mike McQueary recruited Pullium exclusively for the CB position. The 6-1, 178 lbs player out of Cathedral Prep, Erie, Pennsylvania originally verbaled to the Lions last January, but instead of signing last summer as he had hoped, academic issues sent him to Kiski Prep in Saltsburg, PA for a year before he could finally enroll at Penn State. If that sounds familiar, it is because Kiski Prep was also the rout another Lion great, Daryll Clark took before matriculating at Penn State. Kiski’s football coach Marcus Muster said the Lions never gave up on Pullium. Mike McQueary along with Prep coach Mike Mischler stayed in touch with Pullium all throughout the fall to make sure he was on track to join the Nittany Lions.
[Update 10:16 am]Jordan Kerner – 3 star DE out of Fairview, Pennsylvania just sent in his LOI to Penn State. Following an offseason with just 1 verbal for the Class of 2011, Jordan Kerner became the 2nd commit in less than a week to join the Blue and White back in June.
The 6’5″, 225 lbs DE picked the Lions over offers from Maryland, Boston College, Rutgers, West Virginia, Iowa and Minnesota.
[Update 9:48 am]Ben Kline – 3 star LB out of Dallastown High School, Pennsylvania has sent in his LOI to Penn State. Originally a Pitt verbal, Kline reopened his commitment following the Dave Wannstedt’s dismissal and subsequent coaching fiasco at Pitt. Initially during his recruiting process, Penn State had shown interest but never extended a scholarship offer. Kline eventually received that coveted offer by Penn State which he essentially immediately accepted just 1 day following Wanny’s dismissal. The 6’2″ 220 lb linebacker eventually committed to the Blue and White over offers from West Virginia, Boston College, UConn, Duke, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rutgers, Pitt and Vanderbilt. He is reported to be able to complete a surprisingly fast 4.5, 40 yard dash considering his size including routinely posting a 100 meter dash in just over 11 seconds on his track and field team.
[Update 9:36 am]Ryan Nowicki – 3 star offensive tackle by both Rivals and Scout has sent in his LOI to Penn State. The furthest recruit in Penn State’s Class of 2011, the 6’5, 275-pound lineman from Arizona picked the Blue and White over offers from Arizona, Arizona State and more than a dozen programs from USC to Syracuse. It’s not often that Penn State snags a commitment from an Arizona native.
“When I went there, I just had a really good experience, I had a gut feeling that I was supposed to be there,” he said. “I liked everything about it. The players were phenomenal, they were great people, the whole town loves them. They had great players, great tradition. I just don’t think you can go wrong with it. I think it’s an amazing place.”
[Update 9:34 am]Angelo Mangiro – #18 G (3 star recruit) by Rivals / #5 G (4 stars) by Scout / #2 G by ESPN. A lifelong Penn State fan even going as far as calling it his dream school, Mangiro was a huge pickup by the Lions at a time when recruiting for the Class of 2011 was struggling badly. But the 6-3, 295 all-conference, all-region, all-county and all-state guard eventually picked the Blue and White over offers from Florida, USC, Boston College, Notre Dame, and just about every other school in the region.
[Update 8:58 am]Allen Robinson – 3 star WR by both Rivals and Scout out of Orchard Lake, Michigan has sent his LOI in to Penn State. He is out of St Mary’s Prep where he played alongside fellow alumnus Penn State QB Rob Bolden just last year. It’ll be interesting to see the dynamic the two will have on the field. The speedster reportedly runs a 4.5, 40 yard dash where he was mainly utilized as a wideout, but also contributed on the defensive side of the ball as a defensive back.
[Update 8:45 am]Deion Barnes – #6 DE (#2 prospect from PA) by Rivals / #31 by Scout. Deion Barnes has sent in his LOI to Penn State, officially becoming the first member of his family to attend college leaving what is considered one of the worst areas of Philadelphia. His pass rushing skills racked up 85 tackles, 35 for a loss including 13 sacks landed him on the second team all-state.
“I am making this decision because of academics and the comfort level. I am not going to be one of those guys that just stays three years, I want to be there for four. For those reasons, I am going to Penn State.”
[Update 8:15 am] Anthony Alosi is already an early enrollee and does not have to sign an LOI. Matt Zanellato and Sam Fricken have sent in their signed LOIs to Penn State.
Ishaq Williams may have chosen Notre Dame over Penn State, but that doesn’t mean Joe Paterno and his staff can’t finish up their 2011 recruiting class with a bang. With plenty of Nittany Lion prospects still uncommitted, this year seems downright salvageable. Perhaps the commitment of New Jersey athlete Bill Belton–news first reported by FightOnState’s Cory James–will help re-energize the momentum that seemed momentarily lost.
Belton originally committed to Pitt early in the recruiting process, but we won’t hold that against him. He became one of a number of verbal commits to look elsewhere after the firing of Dave Wannstedt (and the subsequent firing of Mike Haywood), and quickly whittled down his choices to West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Penn State, and today made his intentions clear–he’ll join the Blue and White.
The 5’9, 180-pounder was one of the top athletes on the east coast, and his offer sheet reflects that. In addition to the aforementioned four schools, Belton received scholarship offers from schools as far south as Florida and Georgia Tech, and to the west, from Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Oregon. Rivals ranks Belton as the 25th best “athlete,” as the #8 prospect from the state of New Jersey, and as a 4-star recruit, sentiments echoed by Scout–who calls Belton the #13 wide receiver in this class of 2011.
Belton was a quarterback in his high school days, and his proficiency at that position demonstrates his elite athleticism. He was the Courier Post (a regional New Jersey newspaper) MVP, and his statistics are pretty staggering. He became the first New Jersian to pass for 2000 yards and run for 1000 in consecutive seasons, completing 61% of his passes with 21 touchdowns through the air. And on the ground, he ran for more than 6 yards a pop with another 16 touchdowns, inspiring some pretty awesome quotes:
“He’s an alien. He shouldn’t even be here,’’ Eastern coach Dan Spittal said. “He’s that much better than everyone else.’’
“You just can’t stop him. He’s at a different level,’’ Moorestown coach Russ Horton said. “He’s a man playing with boys. He is that good.’’
“I’ve been coaching for 30 years and he’s the best high school quarterback I’ve ever seen,’’ Spittal said. “He can throw with accuracy, he has poise and he runs when he has to. And when he runs, you couldn’t tackle him in a phone booth.’’
It’s not clear what position Belton will play at Penn State, whether it’s wide receiver or defensive back, but it’s clear that this kid is a football player, and is a big get for Mike McQueary, especially after he whiffed on Bill the first time. Reports were that Belton and his family were enamored with Big Red, and it’s entirely possible that the Penn State WR coach will get 4 or 5 years to work with Bill.
The news doesn’t get better in the midst of one of the toughest television years for college football. Bowl ratings, on average are down 9% from last season including a 11% drop for the BCS title game that went down to the wire between Auburn and Oregon.
Disappointing, but understandable considering that the 4 BCS bowls, plus the title game shifted from Fox and ABC to ESPN, who had to outbid Fox by $100 million to carry the games from 2011-14. A drop in viewership is a usual and expected effect of this broadcast-to-cable shift. Old-line networks (ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS) play to 116 million TV homes while ESPN is limited to about 100 million subscribers, just 86% of the broadcast base resulting in 15-16 million viewers that don’t get satellite or cable who are being disenfrancished.
As sports have moved to cable, we’ve seen the viewership fall. It has happened in the N.B.A., the British Open, “Monday Night Football,” the Breeders’ Cup and Nascar. The nine Chase for the Sprint Cup races that left ABC for ESPN last year had a 20 percent drop in viewers, to 4.4 million.
And on top of that, let’s not forget the matchups that viewers were faced with. The Orange and Fiesta ended in lopsided blowouts between teams that struggle to carry a national audience (UConn, Stanford, Virginia Tech), and even the Granddaddy of them All was handcuffed to a matchup between B1G squad Wisconsin and TCU, a mid major without the cachet of most traditional programs, thanks to a BCS rule requiring them to do so once every 4 years.
So, understandably the ratings for the BCS Title (-11%), Rose (-15%), Sugar (-4%), Orange (-1%) and Fiesta (-25%) bowls are significantly lower when compared to last season. And as much as ESPN would like to spin the numbers in a positive light, the ratings decline remains a tough blow in the fight between broadcasters and cable whose ad-supported networks are battling the advantage of subscriber fees that ESPN charges. It’s tough to sell an unattractive yet overpriced product to prospective sponsors.
But it’s not all bad news. Penn State, onceagain, has dominated bowl ratings. In fact, the Outback Bowl between the Nittany Lions and the Florida Gators rank 4th among all bowls, BCS and non-BCS drawing more viewers than the Orange and Fiesta bowls. The 7.05 rating represents an eye popping 101% increase more than doubling the 3.5 rating earned last season during an OT thriller between Auburn and Northwestern. Amidst a bowl season when 23 of the 33 returning bowls drew lower ratings than a year ago, including 13 that plummeted by 20% or more, the Outback bowl emerged as a clear winner.
There was a bit of hesitation back in December when the Outback Bowl selected the Nittany Lions with the #2 pick of B1G teams passing over fellow programs with identical 7-5 records; Michigan, Northwestern, and particularly Iowa who beat the Lions in their conference opener. But, it’s tough to blame the Outback Bowl for making a fiscally sound decision. And based on the 7.05 rating that doubled last season’s OT thriller, the Outback Bowl committee was right all along.
Toughness.
It’s finally here. Months of in-house visits, phone calls, text messages, and premature panic has led up to today when Penn State officially welcomes the Class of 2011. We will keep you updated as the Letters of Intent (LOI) roll in throughout the day. Although with one of the smaller classes Penn State will sign in recent seasons (you only have 85 scholarships, and we are not the SEC West), it should be a fairly predictable LOI Day.
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