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Audio: Michael Mauti interview with Bill King

2013-05-21T16:13:47+00:00

Bill King hosts one of the top college football radio programs year-round on satellite radio, but you can also listen to it for free online. If you want to get some daily college football commentary to get your days started, instead of national or local sports radio talk, I highly recommend signing up for a free membership so you can listen on your computer.

On Tuesday morning King had former Penn state linebacker Michael Mauti join his show. For those unfamiliar with King and his show, he has had great praise for Mauti for a while now. With the recent release of the Sports Illustrated story on Penn State's medical care to football players, getting Mauti's opinions figured to make for an interesting interview. It did not disappoint.

Mauti rehashed the past year from his perspective by talking about Big Ten football media days last summer and the 2012 season overall.

Here is the full audio...

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Cup of Joe: Penn State basketball set for European tour

2013-05-21T13:46:49+00:00

Monday was quite a slow day it seemed, so our Cup of Joe this morning is rather brief. Bill O'Brien will be on HBO's Real Sports tonight at 10 p.m. I don't have HBO so somebody please fill me in tomorrow, OK?

Most indispensable players at Penn State include Allen Robinson and Mike Hull. [ESPN]

What is Penn State getting with running back Nick Scott in the Class of 2014? [Lions 247]

Did Jabrill Peppers visit Penn State or not? A Penn State recruiting round-up. [Victory Bell Rings]

The state's lawsuit against the NCAA netted a two-hour court hearing on Monday. It could be a few weeks before learning if the case will be allowed to continue. [AP]

Penn State men's basketball will play a European basketball tour in August with multiple games in Belgium as well as stops in Paris, France and London, England. [PSU]

Around the Big Ten

Jim Delany, still a wealthy individual. [USA Today]

Big Ten assistant coaches, also wealthy. [Detroit Free Press]

Illinois could be a favorite for former Oklahoma State QB Wes Lunt. [ESPN]

In Scores of Other Games

Danny Woodson, a former Alabama wide receiver, is transferring to South Alabama. Woodson was suspended for a violation of team rules this spring. [AP]

Speaking of Alabama, shards of Alabama's 2012 BCS championship trophy auctioned off for $105,000. The trophy had an original value of $30,000. [FOX Sports South]

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Cup of Joe: Putting the SI story to rest, for now

2013-05-20T14:07:19+00:00

Good morning and a happy Victoria Day to our Penn State fans checking in from above the border. Hope you had a good weekend. Now we begin our week with a quick round-up of everything you may have missed over the weekend.

Final thoughts on the Sports Illustrated story. [Bleacher Report]

Penn State's reaction to the SI story does not squash the notion that something happened to prompt the report. [Lancaster Online]

New Jersey prospect Kyle Alston will walk-on at Penn State. [NJ.com]

Penn State extended an offer to New Jersey tight end Mike Gesicki, a three-star prospect. He also holds offers from Miami, Wisconsin and Rutgers and he visited Penn State back in April and October. [Lions 247]

Matt McGloin, new Oakland Raiders quarterback, answered some questions for PennLive. [PennLive]

Bill O'Brien and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly are proving they are the men in charge of their programs. [PennLive]

The state of Pennsylvania officially begins their legal battle with the NCAA disputing Penn State's sanctions today. [PennLive]

What the Millenium Complex looks like from above. [Reddit]

Around the Big Ten

Not much of a surprise, but Big Ten schools are increasing payrolls. [Detroit Free Press]

Kirk Ferentz interview, complete with selected video. [Hawk Central]

Michigan AD says student attendance at Wolverine football games is "unacceptable." [MLive]

Meanwhile, Michigan football alums raise $1 million for Mott Children's Hospital. [AnnArbor.com]

This is taking being a fan of Ohio State a little too far. [Buckeye Planet]

Rutgers fans getting excited with word they may have a shot at Jabrill Peppers. He will announce his decision on Sunday. Penn State is supposedly in the mix, but Michigan is probably your leader in the recruiting battle. [imgur]

In Scores of Other Games

This week Crystal Ball Run will be previewing the Mountain West Conference. Penn State has never faced an opponent representing the Mountain West Conference.

Oklahoma State preventing QB Wes Lunt from transferring to 38 different programs is ridiculous. [Crystal Ball Run]

Derrick Nash, a running back recruit out of Michigan, is battling leukemia but vows to play football at Central Michigan. Make it so Derrick! [MLive]

Washington State has canceled classes for the day of the big Arizona State game. Yeah, OK... [FOX Sports Arizona]

Vince Young says graduation is better than winning an NCAA title. He would know, as he has now done both. [FOXSports.com]

Place your bets! All week one betting lines posted by BetOnline.com. Penn State opens as a four-point favorite over Syracuse. [Beyond the Bets]

New Sun Belt Conference logo and branding. [Sun Belt Conference]

Here is what football looked like in Fenway Park 50 years ago. [No 2-Minute Warning]

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Who will Penn State's 12th opponent in 2014 be? My money is on Syracuse

2013-05-16T23:22:20+00:00

Before you continue reading, please keep this disclaimer in mind. In no way is this the start of a rumor or citing obscure anonymous sources. This is pure speculation and hypothetical thinking on my part. Now that I have cleared that up with you, let's continue.

Penn State's 2014 Big Ten conference schedule was released earlier today. As you have probably seen by now, Penn State has one schedule hole to fill next season and the available weeks to work with are not exactly the most friendly. Penn State has two open weeks in October and another in November to work with. So, how will one of those games be filled? Who fills it?

After a quick look at some future schedules out there, my early money is on Syracuse.

As I explained on Examiner, Syracuse has just one non-conference game currently scheduled for 2014 (Notre Dame in MetLife Stadium). The ACC will also stick to an eight-game conference schedule so that leaves Syracuse with three non-conference games to fill. The Orange have home games against Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville and NC State on their home schedule and road trips to Boston College, Clemson, Pittsburgh and Wake Forest. Penn State has seven home games on their 2014 schedule so I believe that leaves a door open for a potential road game. Seeing as Syracuse already makes a trip to Pennsylvania to play Pitt, I am just guessing they might prefer to stay at home if they have to play a second.

Or, maybe Syracuse will line up two home games for the Carrier Dome and entertain the idea of playing a game in Beaver Stadium in front of what should be a larger crowd. Again, I am speaking hypothetically here. Given the history between the two schools, it would be nice to see the old rivals reunited once again after a brief tease a few years back. Of course, the two schools meet this season to kick off the year in Met Life Stadium. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of another series revival.

Given that Penn State and Syracuse have a history, Penn State needs one more opponent that would ideally not have to require a great amount of travel and that Syracuse has three non-conference opponents to find n 2014, I believe there could be potential to see Syracuse fill that last schedule spot eventually.

The other possibility I mentioned on Examiner was West Virginia. It is a clear reach and probably a pipe dream at best. West Virginia opens the 2014 season in Atlanta against (three-time BCS champion?) Alabama and they also travel to Maryland. West Virginia plays a nine-game Big 12 schedule and their last non-conference opponent is filled by FCS Towson, in Morgantown. The only possible schedule change that would work is if West Virginia dropped Towson and found a date to host Penn State. Unlikely, but I explored it anyway for the sake of looking at old Penn State rivalries.

Now it is your turn. Who will eventually be Penn State's 12th opponent in 2014? Leave a comment with your team that will fill the final spot. For extra credit, pick which open date will be taken by the game.

Be sure to check out the entire updated 2014 Penn State football schedule page, and bookmark it now. It will be updated as needed. Here is Penn State's most up-to-date 2013 football schedule.

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Penn State will be first Big Ten opponent for Rutgers in 2014

2013-05-16T20:32:02+00:00

Penn State will play the role of visitor for the first Big Ten conference game in the history of Rutgers football. The 2014 Big Ten conference schedule was released Thursday afternoon, setting the stage for the 2014 season which introduces Rutgers and Maryland as new conference members. Maryland will return to Beaver Stadium in 2014 with a game on November 1.

With the new division layout, Penn State's Land Grant Trophy series with Michigan State will return to the back-end of the regular season schedule. When Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993, Michigan State had been the regularly schedule opponent for the final week of the season every year until 2011, when the conference expanded to 12 members with Nebraska and split in to two divisions. The Spartans had been placed in the Legends Division and Penn State in the Leaders Division. Penn State's regular season finale opponent had been Wisconsin during this brief stretch.

Penn State's Big Ten schedule includes home games against Northwestern (Sept. 27), Ohio State (Oct. 25), Maryland (Nov. 1) and Michigan State (Nov. 29). Road conference games will take place at Rutgers (Sep. 13), Michigan (Oct. 11), Indiana (Nov. 8) and Illinois (Nov. 22). Penn State currently has three bye weeks built in to the conference schedule. The 2014 schedule currently has one vacancy to be filled with two open weeks available in October and one in November.

What having to fill one schedule hole with the only available weeks available in October and November means remains to be seen, but it may be less likely Penn State is able to schedule an opponent from one of the larger conferences given that conference play is typically in season and occupies most of the available weeks.

Be sure to check out the entire updated 2014 Penn State football schedule page, and bookmark it now. It will be updated as needed. Here is Penn State's most up-to-date 2013 football schedule.

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Cup of Joe: Penn State vs. Pitt is 1,214 days away

2013-05-15T13:58:53+00:00

Penn State and Pittsburgh are scheduled to begin a four-game series in 2016, a mere 1,214 days from now, but as ACC and Big Ten spring meetings are taking place in separate locations this week there is a fresh buzz about the series. Quotes coming out of both schools have suggested there is a chance we could see the series continue beyond the 2019 game, the fourth in the four-game series already under contract. Some Penn State fans appear to be reluctant to embrace the potential revival of the series, but early poll results seem to suggest fans are overwhelmingly in favor of seeing Pitt at the end of the regular season instead of Rutgers, Maryland or Michigan State. What do you think?

Pitt AD "very optimistic" a series with Penn State could be renewed beyond the current four games scheduled. [Nittany Lions Den]

If the series is going to be extended, why not find a way to have it played at the end of the season? [Examiner]

Is Penn State's defense in store for a meltdown of sorts this season? [Nittany Lions Den]

Some thoughts on how Penn State recruiting is working in spite of NCAA sanctions. [Victory Bell Rings]

Also, what's up with the quarterback recruiting situation? [Victory Bell Rings]

A Penn State fan sent ESPN's Bob Ley a pretty bizarre letter. [Nittany Lions Den]

Penn State has had one of the worst red zone offenses over the last three years. [CoachingSearch.com]

Brace yourselves. Sports Illustrated is expected to publish a story potentially criticizing Penn State's medical care to student athletes. Look for that at some point Wednesday, possibly in the morning. Penn State has already released a statement condemning the report. [Philly.com]

Around the Big Ten

Continuing with our Q&A series, we take a look at Nebraska post-spring. [Nittany Lions Den]

Michigan head coach Brady Hoke called out Notre Dame for opting out of future games. He might be a tad jealous. [Crystal Ball Run]

Comparing and contrasting Urban Meyer's offense with Tim Tebow and Braxton Miller. [Bleacher Report]

In looks as though the Holiday Bowl is becoming a Big Ten reality. [The Gazette]

Michigan State lost a Class of 2013 recruit so he could pursue a rap career. [Philly.com]

Northwestern recruiting is working. [SB Nation]

In Scores of Other Games

All Hawaii teams will once again be referred to as the Rainbow Warriors. [Honolulu Star Advertiser]

The ten biggest MAC games of 2013. [Crystal Ball Run]

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Penn State fan asks ESPN's Bob Ley if Joe Paterno faked his own death

2013-05-14T22:09:52+00:00

I honestly don't even know what to say about this. A Penn State fan mailed a letter to ESPN's Bob Ley, most noted for his role as host of Outside the Lines and his soccer coverage, and asked if it was at all possible if Joe Paterno was secretly alive somewhere.

I'm used to strange mail, but this one is this year's leader in the clubhouse twitpic.com/cqhc6v
— Bob Ley (@BobLeyESPN) May 14, 2013

Uhh, no. It is not.

Helmet sticker to The Big Lead.

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Pitt AD "very optimstic" series with Penn State will be extended

2013-05-14T19:59:21+00:00

Penn State and Pittsburgh have an agreement in place to play four football games between 2016 and 2019. What started out as a two-year schedule agreement was expanded to four games and it looks as though there is a discussion to make this an even longer standing agreement than initially expected. As the ACC is holding annual conference meetings, Pittsburgh Athletics Director Steve Pederson told ESPN's Brett McMurphy he is "very optimistic" this could become a reality.

Pitt AD Steve Pederson told me he's "very optimistic" Panthers will renew series w/Penn State
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) May 14, 2013

I realize this can be a polarizing issue for many Penn State and Pittsburgh fans, but I'm going to just say this...

My thinking here is pretty simple in concept, I would like to think. With the ACC and Big Ten moving to 14 members each in 2014 (ACC will be at 14 this season with additions of Pittsburgh and Syracuse, Big Ten next year with Maryland and Rutgers), scheduling is starting to get more complex for all parties involved. The Big Ten moving to nine-game schedules is going to make it difficult for some schedules to come together on a routine basis. Fans of both schools may prefer to see more games against bigger name opponents when possible, but there is mutual interest to be had by having Penn State and Pittsburgh continue to play each other.

For starters, it is a great recruiting tool. Having the states top two college football programs go toe-to-toe will spice up some recruiting battles and a potentially annual game will be seen as an opportunity to have a terrific bargaining chip on the recruiting table across the state. Interest in the two programs could benefit as a result. Or Ohio State could just swoop in and crush them both. Hey, it's something.

Second, having an annual clash of Big Ten and ACC schools will be good for the conferences and the schools. The strength of schedule would ideally be boosted on both sides, and if that is going to be a larger part of the College Football Playoff model, why not ensure any power conference opponent you can?

Third, it allows Penn State and Pitt to ensure one more game on the schedule within decent proximity. Under nine-game schedules, Penn State will be looking at losing a potential home game every other year. Playing games in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh won't cause much of a headache in terms of hitting the road in non-conference play. Pittsburgh will not have a nine-game schedule issue to worry about, at least not any time too soon. But the possibility will always remain.

How would you feel about seeing Penn State and Pittsburgh play on an annual basis? Are you in favor of it or not? Have your voice heard in the comment section.

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Is a defensive meltdown coming in 2013?

2013-05-13T23:54:22+00:00

Coach Bill O’Brien. The offensive guru. The former coach of NFL legend Tom Brady. The resurrector of the Penn State offense. The mastermind.

The excitement on the offensive side of the ball couldn’t be higher for Penn State football. But what about the defense? Among a fan base who mutters, “The defense is always good,” like it’s the Pennsylvania state motto, there is rarely a concern for defensive performance.

But could this be the year where Penn State finds itself in a Twilight Zone of sorts? A year where the offense shines while the defense pines?

Besides O’Brien’s track record, the offense has plenty to crow about—the Big Ten’s leading receiver, two strong and able running backs, a stable of talented tight ends, and a promising offensive line. If the quarterback is merely serviceable, it’s not unrealistic to expect another banner year for the offense.

And when Penn State can field a good offense (think 2005 and 2008), the team usually does just fine. But what if the defense this season isn’t the defense of old?

Unfortunately, a strong case can be made that the PSU defense might not just be worse this year; it may be one of the worst we’ve seen in a long, long time.

It took only two years for Coach O’Brien to go through as many defensive coordinators as Paterno used to go through in two decades. John Butler steps into Ted Roof’s one-year role this season, and no one knows just what to expect. The bend-don’t-break that was forever the staple of Paterno’s philosophy may or may not remain. While it’s impossible to know what kind of coach or what kind of schemes he’ll implement, analysts can examine the depth chart for clues about next year’s defense.

The team loses six starters from 2012’s team, one high draft pick from the DL (Jordan Hill) and two from the LB corps (Gerald Hodges and Mike Mauti). Plus, only four seniors are likely starters on the 2013 defense. Those are not good signs.

The last time Penn State lost a similar amount of players (and from frighteningly familiar positions) was 2009. Defensive lineman Jared Odrick and linebackers Navorro Bowman, Sean Lee, and Josh Hull all took their games to the professional level, and the defections showed on the field.

A Penn State defense that ranked 3^rd nationally in scoring defense and 9^th nationally in total defense in 2009 plummeted in 2010 to 35^th in scoring defense and 49^th in total defense. Points surrendered doubled for the Lions in 2010.

If this year’s Lions follow the same trend, the results could be frightening. The 2012 defense ranked 29^th in total defense and 19^th in scoring defense. It’s not implausible to predict the defense slipping out of the top 60 nationally in both categories.

When it comes to points surrendered, we might go from 19 points a game (the 2012 statistic) to nearly 40 (the approximate total of a team ranked 60^th).

A Penn State defense that averages over 30 points allowed per game! It almost gets caught in the throat just saying it.

Granted, the offense’s performance certainly affects the defense’s. Long, time-chomping drives—like Penn State excelled with last season—definitely help field position and allow the defense time to rest. But if the offense continues to improve with adequate quarterback play, it’s likely that the offense will score more often and more quickly than ever before.

Which means the defense will be on the field more. A defense that is likely to be one of the least talented defenses PSU has fielded in at least a decade. Are Penn State fans ready to watch its beloved defense get plowed over?

A 66-38 blowout win over Kent State? A 49-45 squeaker over Michigan? A 59-47 heart-breaking loss to Ohio State in Columbus?

Could this be the future of Penn State football?

Ryan J. Murphy is author of Ring the Bell: The Twenty-two Greatest Penn State Football Victories of Our Lives, on sale on Amazon Kindle.

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Big Ten Q&A: Nebraska Cornhuskers

2013-05-13T14:00:47+00:00

Nebraska has taken the two Big Ten meetings against Penn State since the Huskers joined the conference and last year they reached the Big Ten championship game. This season the Huskers continue to look for answers on defense in an attempt to silence some of the criticism of the program's apparent shortcomings on a path back to true national prominence.

What does the 2013 seasons have in store in Lincoln? Are these Huskers equipped for a return trip to Indianapolis for another crack at a Big Ten title? If they get that far, can they finally win a conference championship for the first time since 1999? What can we expect to see from Taylor Martinez, who is back for one more year under center for Nebraska?

To answer some of these questions following the spring we are joined by Brandon Cavanaugh from the Nebraska blog Corn Nation for our latest post-spring Q&A.

Q: It’s that time of the year again when we ask the question of whether or not Nebraska is going to be a legitimate Big Ten contender in the fall. Coming off their first trip to the Big Ten Championship Game in 2012, the Huskers look to be one of the top teams in the Legends Division once again. Coming out of the spring, what is the reading on this year’s Huskers as it relates to a Big Ten championship game run?

Brandon Cavanaugh: Nebraska's offense is a year older, wiser and jammed-packed with even more firepower. It's as much of a strength as the defense could be a liability. As it stands, I think the Huskers drop their games against Michigan and Penn State.

This conceivably sets up The Game Part Deux for the conference title, but considering we're talking about modern day college football, I can't help but think someone trips the Wolverines up and Nebraska ends up back in Indianapolis because, why not?

Taylor Martinez is back for one more year. Photo: USA Today Sports

Q: Taylor Martinez looked to improve with his overall game a bit last season, especially passing the football. He also had some classic Taylor Martinez moments that would cost the Huskers, but any time he is on the field one thing is for sure; something fascinating could be about to happen. What can we expect to see from Martinez in the fall and how did his spring play out?

BC: His spring played out about how you'd expect. Taylor's a known commodity. During his short time in the Red-White game, he looked poised, crisp and confident.

He'll be working on and off with QB guru Steve Calhoun for the second year in a row. You're going to see Taylor Martinez as a senior. It's a simple answer, but that itself says a lot.

Expect his throwing motion to be better than ever, properly used within offensive coordinator Tim Beck's system, and ideally the opportunities for him to psych himself out are kept to a minimum.

Q: Nebraska tends to have a solid running game on a regular basis. This year the Huskers lose Rex Burkhead but with Martinez and Ameer Abdullah in the backfield, Nebraska’s running game should still be pretty stable. Agree or disagree, and who else should see some action running the football?

BC: Absolutely agree. Nebraska's running game should be intriguing to watch this fall, at least on paper.

You know about Abdullah. Unfortunately, due to Burkhead's injury last year, he received quite a bit of the spotlight. That was a mixed blessing, obviously. It robbed Rex, but gives Nebraska an experienced No. 1 back.

The unique aspect about the Huskers' current running game is that a defense is going to have to account for a total of six potential running threats near the line of scrimmage: Martinez, Abdullah, the fullback and one of three backs if in the diamond formation.

Expect Imani Cross, who looks like a ripped 32-year-old pro with some eligibility left, to see significant time again this season. The loss of both Braylon Heard and Aaron Green hurt as there are now two true freshmen behind Abdullah and Cross, but they're legit.

Terrell Newby and Adam Taylor are two of the best prospects from their respective states (California and Texas). Expect to see Newby skip a redshirt year.

Nebraska's defense was no match for Montee Ball and Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. Photo: USA Today Sports

Q: Nebraska’s defense returns just four starters this year. Considering how the defense played last season, how much is this a deficit or a blessing in disguise for Nebraska in 2013?

BC: A slight blessing, but that won't help the unit overall. The defensive line's interior is still razor thin, and the line as a whole will still be tested every game. Expect very similar game plans by opponents from last season.

The good news is that the quality of the Huskers' linebacking corp increases dramatically. You're going to see speed and speed with a side of speed. There will be some second-guessing that leads to errors by the younger guys, but their raw athleticism will help cover some of that up.

Q: What is the biggest concern for Nebraska heading in to the summer and fall?

BC: The defense. Yup.

Q: Did Penn State get robbed (referring to the fumble on the goal line last season), or was it just pay back for 1982?

BC: That's a great question. As you can probably guess, I've joked about that as anyone who knows about Nebraska-Penn State back in the day likely has. Did Penn State get robbed? I honestly don't know. The only way for me to truly give you positive answer is if I was standing on the field.

I'll tell you this much: If that was a make up call from 1982, the football gods sure took their sweet time.

[Editor's note: Penn State fans are still waiting for justice from 1994. Carry on...]

Q: On a related topic, this spring we learned how the new Big Ten divisions will look starting in 2014. As a result, there will no longer be a protected crossover match-up between Penn State and Nebraska. From your point of view, how is Big Ten realignment going to impact the Huskers moving forward, either positively or negatively? Also, how have Nebraska fans viewed this protected crossover in what will be its short existence?

BC: Fans seem to be more interested in who's coming into the conference than the divisions. There's been some concern that Nebraska's suddenly back in the Big 12 North, but with parity scheduling and other variables that are unknowns at this point, any worry about that is unnecessary right now.

Will the split affect Nebraska at all? Somewhat, yes. They'll be playing Wisconsin every year and with Michigan heading to the East division, the game against the Badgers becomes the de facto B1G West championship game more often than not.

I'll spare you the Nebraska-Wisconsin day after Thanksgiving speech.

Penn State hosts Nebraska November 23, 2013.

Brandon Cavanaugh (@eightlaces) is a contributing writer for SB Nation's Corn Nation (@CornNation).

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Cup of Joe: Top all-time PSU QBs and Bill O'Brien's bus tour concludes

2013-05-13T06:00:31+00:00

And so we begin another week, with the college football countdown creeping toward double digits. Let's get the week started on the right foot, shall we?

Yesterday I shared my top 10 Penn State quarterbacks of all time. Tell me where I'm wrong. [Bleacher Report]

Bill O'Brien says "We got a lot of time for Christian Hackenberg." [StateCollege.com]

One of the themes of the recent Penn State Caravan seemed to be how Bill O'Brien appears to be settling in to his position within Penn State. Jeff Rice had a good column about it the other day. [Lions 247]

Off the field, Nate Bauer explains how the state's legal battle with the NCAA could actually be doing more harm to Penn State than good. [Blue White Illustrated]

To be fair and balanced, Mark Brennan dive sin to the promise Bill O'Brien made to Joe Paterno. [Fight On State]

Success With Honor

Jordan Hill signed his contract with the Seattle Seahawks. [PennLive]

Around the Big Ten

Jared Shanker of ESPN's recruiting team offered up the pitches for each Big Ten team for the ESPN.com Big Ten blog. For Penn State, a chance to play in Beaver Stadium and in front of passionate fans. The obvious setback, as Shanker notes, is the lack of scholarships and lack of Big Ten title opportunities for a few more years. [ESPN.com]

Wisconsin is ranked No. 19 by Athlon Sports this pre-season. [Athlon Sports]

But who should start at quarterback for the Badgers? [Athlon Sports]

Colorado offensive lineman transferring to Nebraska. [Scout]

Penn State's defense ranked fifth in the Big Ten. [Lost Lettermen]

Iowa and Northern Illinois reported to play games in 2018 and 2020. [FBSchedules.com]

Michigan junior safety Marvin Robinson expected to be given a scholarship release today. [@drebwell]

In scores of other games...

The Oregon Ducks await word from the NCAA on a decision on potential recruiting violations. [AP]

Les Miles is a good football coach. His son is a good baseball player, apparently. [Crystal Ball Run]

Colorado QB, offensive lineman charged for second-degree assault. Sources confirm it is the hardest any Colorado player has hit someone in years. [AP]

Not to be outdone, Oklahoma QB arrested after being found passed out on a hill. [Yardbarker]

Nick Saban doesn't have time to worry about what Bob Stoops says about the SEC. [FOX Sports South]

Syracuse will retire Donovan McNabb's No. 5 jersey, according to McNabb. [CBS Sports]

2012 Big East championship rings for Rutgers. [No 2-Minute Warning]

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Cup of Joe: Penn State vs. Pitt and Big Ten hockey announced

2013-05-09T14:13:18+00:00

We have a little bit of everything here for you this morning. Quick basketball and hockey links and a dash of recruiting and Penn State caravan fill up the Penn State portion of our morning round up. Here is your Cup of Joe...

Bill O'Brien took to the national radio airwaves on Wednesday, joining the CBS Sports Radio morning show. [Nittany Lions Den]

Penn State will be paired up with new ACC member Pitt in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. [Black Shoe Diaries]

One early prediction actually gives Penn State the edge on the road. [The B1G Time]

The Big Ten released their first hockey schedule, including Penn State. [Thank You Terry]

A quick recap of Bill O'Brien's latest Penn State caravan stop. [PennLive]

Bill O'Brien not expecting any more transfers. [AP]

Penn State is still in the mix for five-star athlete Jabrill Peppers out of New Jersey. [Lions 247 ($)]

Penn State named Sexiest Party School in the country. [Buzz Feed]

Around the Big Ten

Adam Rittenberg runs down the Big Ten's biggest College Football Hall of Fame snubs. [ESPN.com]

Two Big Ten teams have cracked the Athlon Sports pre-season top 25. Northwestern checks in at No. 24 and Nebraska comes in at No. 21. Will another Big Ten team be revealed in the top 20 today?

Speaking of the Wildcats, how many games will Northwestern win in 2013? [Athlon Sports]

Latest 247 Sports Composite Big Ten rankings have Penn State third. Michigan, Ohio State occupy top two spots. [247 Sports]

This Ohio State recruit claims God told him to commit to the Buckeyes. [The Victory Formation]

Our friends at Lost Lettermen ranked the Big Ten running backs. Zach Zwinak rounds out the top five. Just one running back per team though so no mention of Akeel Lynch. That should change. [Lost Lettermen]

In scores of other games...

Former Penn State quarterback Steven Bench has NC State in his transfer mix. [ESPN]

Larry Kehres, who coached Mount Union to 11 Division 3 football championships, retired yesterday. All the man did was win. [FOX Sports Ohio]

Who are the dark horse Heisman candidates this season? [College Football Zealots]

Will Muschamp, champion of Twitter hash tags. [Twitter]

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Audio: Bill O'Brien on CBS Sports Radio

2013-05-08T16:57:25+00:00

Bill O'Brien once again took his message to the radio air waves. On Wednesday morning Penn State's football coach was a guest on CBS Sports Radio's national morning show with Tiki Barber, Dana Jacobson and Brandon Tierney. O'Brien, winding down the coaches caravan, talked more about scholarship issues, recruiting and the quarterback situation. There was not much new offered in the interview for those following O'Brien over the past week or so, but if you are interested in hearing the interview it is available below for you.

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Cup of Joe: More scholarship talk along the caravan

2013-05-08T13:50:32+00:00

No nonsense this morning. Let's get right down to the business...

Before getting started with his schedule on the Penn State Caravan, Bill O'Brien was a gust on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh to talk about his bus tour and more. [Nittany Lions Den]

O'Brien discusses naming John Butler defensive coordinator. [PennLive]

O'Brien says he will not rule out possibility of some run-on players playing two ways. [PennLive]

Not much of a news item but further analysis of Penn State's scholarship picture and how the NCAA is unlikely to consider time served with a 65-scholarship roster. [The Morning Call]

Penn State files counter-argument in Mike McQueary whistleblower case. [PennLive]

Tim Curley, Gary Schultz files to be unsealed Friday. [Centre Daily Times]

Have you donated to We Are! 2013 yet? [KickStarter]

Around the Big Ten

Michigan reinstated Will Hargerup, All-Big Ten punter. [College Football Talk]

Minnesota has a home-and-home with TCU lined up for 2014 and 2015. [CBS Sports]

Four Big Ten players were voted to the College Football Hall of Fame. None from Penn State. [National Football Foundation]

Illinois is considering bringing back Chief Illiniwek, but they do not have the support of the Peoria Tribe. [The News-Gazette]

In scores of other games...

Islanders 6, Penguins 4

USA Today has released their annual report on top school revenue and expenses. Penn State is eighth in total revenue, fifth in total expenses. [USA Today]

Oklahoma's Bob Stoops says SEC superiority is a bit of a myth. [Tulsa World]

That Kliff Kingsbury and his message to Texas Tech players... [Crystal Ball Run]

Bobby Bowden's return to Tallahassee seems to be a big deal. [College Football Talk]

Boise State dismisses Sam Ukwuachu. [Idaho Statesman]

South Carolina and North Carolina will open 2015 in Charlotte. [College Football Talk]

Thoughts on Wyoming's new field design? [imgur]

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Audio: Bill O'Brien on 93.7 The Fan

2013-05-07T18:39:16+00:00

Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien was a guest on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh Tuesday morning. There was not much new information coming from the Nittany Lions football coach, but if you missed it we have the audio for you:

Penn State, UCF gets prime time slot on Big Ten Network

2013-05-06T23:30:46+00:00

Penn State and Central Florida will kick off at 6 p.m. on Big Ten Network on September 12. The Big Ten Network will be making their first trip to Beaver Stadium for a prime time game with the trip, and Penn State will play three prime time games in 2013 as a result.

The Big Ten Network will air 12 prime time games, a new all-time high for the network.

“Primetime games are becoming more and more popular,” said BTN President Mark Silverman. “Featuring compelling matchups in primetime allows BTN to remain front and center in Big Ten and college football fans’ minds throughout the entire day,” he said. The network will also air a total of 47 football games this season, but the additional TV lineup for the Big Ten Network will be released at a later time.

Central Florida will be playing their first season in the newly identified American Athletic Conference (The American) and will be Penn State's first official opponent from The American. The two schools are also thought to be discussing a potential 2014 season opener in Ireland.

It was previously announced Penn State will also host Michigan for a 5 p.m. kickoff on ESPN or ESPN2 on October 12, and they will kick off at Ohio State at 8 p.m. on October 26 on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.

For a full rundown of updated kickoff times and schedule notes, check out the 2013 Penn State Football Schedule.

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Report: Big Ten schools each getting $25.7 million

2013-05-06T20:28:01+00:00

Big Ten schools are once again cashing some nice paychecks this year, although the total income from revenue splits took a little bit of a dip now that Nebraska is eligible for a full conference payout. According to a report by the St. Louis Dispatch, each Big Ten school will be receiving $25.7 million, with $7.6 million coming from Big Ten Network revenue.

According to the report, the total income of $25.7 million per school is up from $24.6 million last year, but the Big Ten Network split has dropped from $8.1 million to $7.6 million. It will be interesting to see how these numbers will differ once Rutgers and Maryland join the conference in 2014. The Terps and Scarlet Knights will not be eligible for full payout shares immediately, but it should be expected that the total conference payout should rise. The question is what happens with the Big Ten Network payout. I would guess it increases, at least marginally.

Penn State is still eligible to receive this incoming revenue despite serving NCAA sanctions. The Big Ten will continue to without bowl share payouts for the duration of the sanctions issued by the NCAA to comply with Big Ten guidelines.

Helmet sticker to St. Louis Dispatch.

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The Big Ten's Plan to Close the Gap

2013-05-06T18:37:27+00:00

Being a fan of the Big Ten these days is like being Ricky Schroder in The Champ.

The end of major conference realignment and the NFL draft: two more areas where the Big Ten took apparent black eyes last month. The ACC teams signed a Grant of Rights that effectively dashed the Big Ten’s hopes of moving farther south, and the Big Ten was nearly shut out of the first round of the draft, further symbolizing the conference’s talent drain. Ouch and ouch.

The question remains for league fan: how can the Big Ten recover its football reputation?

Last season, I chronicled how to heal the Big Ten, citing a need for higher coaches salaries and improved national scheduling as two main foci. Other “big picture” factors certainly exist—like the SEC’s oversigning policies and their lower academic standards—but let’s talk nuts and bolts now. What specifically needs to happen for the Big Ten to take a step in the winning direction this season?

1. Ohio State and Michigan need to win. As much as it pains me as a Penn State fan to say it, the conference’s marquee teams need to get back near the top. Michigan—perhaps the Big Ten’s best national recruiter—lost a ton of talent to the top SEC teams during the disastrous RichRod years. Brady Hoke has them back on top in recruiting; it’s time for them to be a perennial top-10 team again. Ohio State seemingly has righted the ship after a miniscule one-year slump (2011); while they don’t need to hold their current No. 1 ranking all season long, they need to play like a legitimate top-5 team this season.

The only thing left after displaying their excellence in the regular season for OSU and UM? Win some elite bowl games—which is just part of what spiraled the league downwards in the first place. Two straight national title games annihilations, Buckeyes? Three bowl wins in a decade, Wolverines? Really?

2. The second tier needs to raise the bar. If the Big Ten had a heyday in the last decade, it was probably around 2002-2005. Purdue had Tiller, Minnesota had Mason, Iowa had Ferentz, and Wisconsin had Alvarez. All four of those teams had great reputations nationally as quality programs, even though none were necessarily BCS title contenders. The top teams of the Big Ten could wax (OSU ’02, UM ’04, and PSU ’05) and wane (PSU ’03 and ’04; OSU ’04, and UM ’05), but the real reputation of the league relied on the strength of the middle.

Last season’s big stomach punch for the Big Ten’s middle-of-the-pack was the collapse of Wisconsin and Michigan State. Both were top-15 teams pre-season; both crawled just above .500 by season’s end. Looking forward for this group of teams, D’Antonio and Fitzgerald seem here to stay, which bodes well for the Spartans and Northwestern Wildcats; UNL’s Pelini and Iowa’s Ferentz already have successes behind them, if only they can take more steps forward; but the rest of the league is punctuated by question marks. Which program will be the Big Ten’s version of Stanford or Oklahoma State or Georgia—second tier teams that annually increase the respectability of the whole league?

3. Bill O’Brien needs to keep working magic. Penn State is likely to be an afterthought each season when it comes to discussion of nationally relevant teams. The NCAA’s strong-arm tactics made that a reality with last July’s unprecedented sanctions. However, O’Brien’s coaching abilities last season coupled with a resilient group of underrated seniors made everyone take notice of what kind of success still might be possible for the Nittany Lions. A few favorable calls or lucky bounces, and an undefeated season in 2012 wasn’t out of the question.

What O’Brien and Penn State can offer the Big Ten over the next few years probably won’t be a sanctions-riddled juggernaut like USC ’11 or OSU ’12, but it may be a tantalizing taste of NFL-style football and a rare overachieving team among a league of recent slackers. Elite talent is still coming to PSU (current recruiting rankings have PSU as third behind UM and OSU, which is historically their fated position as well), even if it is coming in smaller numbers than to the rest of the Big Ten. It’ll be hard for PSU to be a league front-runner (like it was as recently as ’08 and ’09), but if they can push the league’s best teams and dominate the middle ones—despite the crippling sanctions—that will be far better for the Big Ten in the long run than a hollow shell of the old Beast of the East.

At some point, the Big Ten has to start trending upward again—the league is too rich financially and its fans too passionate for it not to. If this is the year, it doesn’t have to be “national championship or bust” to change the momentum. The three steps prescribed above are all it will take.

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Cup of Joe: Penn State lacrosse teams heading to postseason, women's rugby wins championship

2013-05-06T13:35:47+00:00

Good morning Penn State fans. Are you ready for another week? The Penn State coaches caravan rolls on this week, including a stop in the Lehigh Valley on Tuesday. I'll be there to see what Bill O'Brien has to say so if you have any questions you would like to be asked, send them in or leave a comment below. And now, on to the Cup of Joe to get your day started.

A look back at how Penn State avoided a media firestorm in 2012. [Bleacher Report]

Quarterback Tyler Ferguson is recognized for the best debut by a Big Ten player this spring. [ESPN.com]

This is from a few days ago, but in case you missed it, Ivan Maisel's column on Penn State embracing a fresh start is worth your time. [ESPN.com]

Former Nittany Lion cornerback Stephon Morris discussed his first rookie camp experience with the New England Patriots. [PennLive.com]

Penn State men's lacrosse earned their first postseason bid since 2005 and will host Yale on Saturday. [GoPSUSports.com]

The Penn State women's lacrosse team is going to the postseason as well, hosting Canisius on Friday. [GoPSUSports.com]

Success With Honor

Congratulations to the Penn State women's rugby team, your 2013 Emirates Airline USA Rugby Women's College D1 national champions! [USA Rugby]

Around the Big Ten

Big Ten well represented in NCAA Lacrosse postseason. [The B1G Time]

The SEC Network was announced late last week, but how does it compare to the Big Ten Network? [The B1G Time]

Nebraska has a wait list in place for football, volleyball and men's basketball. Yes, men's basketball. [N'Sider]

The updated Big Ten conference schedules for 2014 and 2015 are expected to be released in the next 30 days. [SNY Rutgers]

Indiana is known as a basketball school, of course. Hoosiers football coach recently had his football players embrace the true Hoosier within with a slam dunk contest.

In Scores of Other Games...

Penguins 5, Islanders 4 (OT) [NHL.com]

Former Penn State quarterback Steven Bench is weighing his options, but there is confirmed mutual interest with Mississippi State. South Florida is another potential landing spot for the sophomore, who is willing to use a red shirt year wherever he ends up. [The Dispatch]

Kentucky safety Ashley Lowery was involved in a severe car accident Saturday morning. He has been in a Georgia hospital for monitoring and treatment since and is now reported to be responsive and able to move his extremities. [CBS Sports]

Darth Vol was out for May 4th. [imgur]

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Penn State Recruiting: DaQuan Worley picks Penn State, per report

2013-05-03T20:33:18+00:00

Penn State has landed one of the top players in the state, according to a report. Coatesville cornerback DaQuan Worley has given his verbal commitment to Penn State, according to Bob Flounders of The Patriot News.

Worley is ranked the 16th best player in Pennsylvania according to the latest 247 Sports composite rankings. The 5'-11", 170 pound three-star prospect held offers from Georgia Tech, and Rutgers and was recruited by linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden.

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Penn State to open 2014 in Ireland vs. Central Florida?

2013-05-03T18:57:38+00:00

This looks to be something beyond typical rumors, with the Orlando Sentinel reporting this morning Penn State and Central Florida are in talks to open the 2014 season in Ireland. As explained on Crystal Ball Run, arranging for this game has some details to iron out still, including hosting stadium and those pesky, already scheduled season openers against Temple and Florida International.

Bill O'Brien said with a smile a few times this week on the Penn State caravan tour Penn State was getting closer to having an Ireland game in place. Maybe he knew more than he wanted to share, and good reason. No reason to dive into specifics before there are any specifics.

This is far from a done deal of course, but it seems as though we have some momentum to look forward to here. We'll stay updated on the situation as often as possible.

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Cup of Joe: Penn State Caravan rolls on

2013-05-02T10:00:00+00:00

Was it a slow day on Wednesday, or was it just me? On with today's morning round-up.

Penn State opens against Syracuse as a five-point favorite. [Nittany Lions Den]

Bill O'Brien is happy for the NFL-bound Nittany Lions. [Nittany Lions Den]

Will injury concerns lead to Penn State changing the way the annual spring game is run? [Bleacher Report]

The Penn State Coaches Caravan made stops in Baltimore and Washington D.C. on Wednesday. Wrestling coach Cael Sanderson wore an "O'Brien's Lions" t-shirt in Baltimore, and a "Billeive" t-shirt in D.C. [GoPSUSports.com]

Bob Flounders takes a look at the post-spring numerology for Penn State. [PennLive.com]

It looks as though Penn State is in the lead for the recruiting of a Michigan linebacker. [PennLive.com]

Around the Big Ten

We were joined by a couple of Wisconsin bloggers to see what the state of the Badgers is right now. [Nittany Lions Den]

Is Michigan the team to beat in the Legends Division? Nebraska may be a pretty tough team for the Wolverines to get by, but I say if Michigan comes out on top they will certainly have earned it. [Athlon Sports]

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany talks College Football Playoff selection committee and Ed O'Bannon case. [ESPN.com]

Pretty cool shot of Northwestern's Ryan Field.

Is the Big Ten West really the new Big 12 North? [ESPN.com]

In scores of other games...

Navy has a pretty sweet trailer for the 2013 season. [No 2-Minute Warning]

What if the movie The Program was cast today? [Lost Lettermen]

The NCAA says hashtags are no longer allowed on the football field. I'm generally in support of this, but it does feel a little silly for the NCAA to make this an actual rule. [Crystal Ball Run]

Only five of the top 18 quarterbacks from the Class of 2012 are with the school they signed with. [imgur]

Success With Honor

Penn State men's lacrosse won their first postseason game with a 10-7 victory over UMass Wednesday. They advanced to the CAA final. [GoPSUSports.com]

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Place your bets: Penn State opens as five point favorite over Syracuse

2013-05-01T22:25:07+00:00

Penn State is opening up the 2013 season in MetLife Stadium against Syracuse, and they will do so as a five-point favorite.

I probably should have caught this one earlier after dropping some gambling links in the Cup of Joe this morning, but I missed this one. Thankfully Dustin Hockensmith over at PennLive.com had a sharper eye than I did. As PennLive.com notes, gambling site 5 Dimes lists Penn State as a five-point favorite (-5, -120) against the Orange.

Penn State was 6-1 last season as a favorite, with the lone loss coming in week one against Ohio. The Nittany Lions were 9-3 against the spread last year as well. How did Syracuse fare? The Orange were 5-2 as an underdog last fall, including in the Pinstripe Bowl against West Virginia. Syracuse was 7-6 against the spread in 2012 as well.

It would seem that the odds are in Penn State's favor for week one in MetLife Stadium. If you are a gambler, are you taking Penn State to cover? Share your gambling take in the comment section below if you wish to share your tips for success.

Here is a run down of some other games of interest, in case you have not seen them yet.

USC opens -19 at Hawaii. Probably a safe Trojan bet.

South Carolina opens -14.5 at home against North Carolina. I'm hedging on UNC with this one. Call it a gut instinct.

Texas A&M opens -28.5 at home against Rice. Aggies roll the Owls, but that is a big spread.

Notre Dame opens -21 against Temple in South Bend. I'm inclined to roll with the Owls with this line. Maybe I'm a sucker for the Philadelphia team.

Pitt begins ACC play at home against Florida State. The Panthers are a 8.5 point home dog against the Seminoles. This depends on which Florida State team shows up to play.

Alabama opens in Atlanta as a -22.5 point favorite against Virginia Tech. I can't erase their last meeting in Atlanta out of my mind, and Alabama just seems like a rock.... er, a lock.

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Big Ten Q&A: Wisconsin Badgers

2013-05-01T17:54:00+00:00

Wisconsin is coming off a third straight Big Ten football championship but faces a number of questions heading in to the 2013 season. The Badgers are in the midst of a coaching transition after Bret Bielema skipped town prior to the Rose Bowl in favor of a shot at turning around an Arkansas football program recovering from a motorcycle wreck of a season. In comes Gary Andersen, who demonstrated some solid potential by making Utah State a winning team, but the new coach loses a record-breaking running back and must figure out who the heck is going to lead the offense on the field.

Still, Wisconsin figures to be a bit of a pest in the Big Ten Leaders Division and may be the biggest threat to Ohio State's potential run to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship Game. With spring football in the books in Madison, we welcome the opinions of Andy Coppens, managing editor of Madtown Badgers, and Richard Branch, co-founder of Buck Around, to get a sense of what is expected at Wisconsin in 2013.

1. Wisconsin is undergoing a coaching change, hiring Gary Andersen away from Utah State after Bret Bielema packed his bags for Arkansas. We will certainly get a better feel in the fall, but how has the coaching transition gone now that the spring is wrapped up?

Gary Andersen (left) takes over in Madison for Bret Bielema.
Photo: US Presswire

Andy Coppens: Honestly, I don't know if this transition could've gone better. Players readily admit to being a bit resistant to the change that happened last year around this time. With Andersen and the new staff everyone has talked about being completely on board & it's shown in how this team practices and how willing players have been to make transitions to new roles without whining. That didn't happen last year and Andersen has also done a good job of embracing the traditions at UW while also putting his own stamp - which was important after a pretty bitter breakup with Bielema.

Richard Branch: By all reports Gary Andersen has hit a home run with his players, athletic administrators, and the fanbase thus far. There were concerns when hired he was a "spread guy" who would radically reshape the team's identity but if the spring game was any indication the offense will look very familiar to those who've watched Badger games in the past. The Badgers will build their offense around the running game and besides a wrinkle here and there should little changed from the Bielema era. I think it was critical that Andersen brought with him a large contingent of his staff from Utah State hoping to limit the transition. Most of the coaching staff already knows how Andersen operates and what he expects, they can focus on managing the transition for the players rather than amongst themselves.

For the players, change is on defense. Schematically they shift from a 4-3 to a 3-4 which requires personnel to learn new schemes, but the bigger adjustment will be in defensive philosophy. Under the old regime the Badgers played conservative, bend but don't break defense designed to keep the offense in front of them and minimize the chances of the big play. Under new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda the Badgers will be blitzing a whole lot more and bringing pressure from all over the field. The question will be if defensive backs recruited to play in Bielema's more conservative scheme will be able to adjust to press coverages and playing man to man with little help from safeties. This team as a rule tends to be more athletic on defense than offense so they have a shot but as you alluded to we won't know anything until the season starts and they execute at game speed.

Q: It seems as though we have asked this question before, but what does Wisconsin's quarterback situation look after the spring? Is there a starter on the roster or will the Badgers once again be looking for a transfer from an ACC school as they have the past two seasons?

AC: Hahaha… You so clever… There will be a 3rd transfer QB coming in, but this time it's a dual-threat from the JUCO ranks, an Andersen guy so to speak. The Badgers have nearly every QB from last time this year back. The only exceptions are Joe Brennan (who transferred after last spring) and Jon Budmayr (who's health has forced him into a student-coaching position). Anyway, this spring it's clear that it's all about Joel Stave and Curt Phillips. No true answers came this spring, but by all accounts and what I saw in person in the spring game it's hard to say it won't be a battle between Stave (who won the spring game battle) and McEvoy. Andersen has made it abundantly clear that McEvoy, Stave, and Phillips will all be given an equal chance to win the starting job come the fall.

RB: Coming out of spring practice the Badgers are looking at two choices for starting quarterback. Joel Stave and Curt Phillips have separated themselves from the rest of the group with Stave appearing the have a slight edge on Phillips. Phillips has some of the mobility that Andersen wants while Stave is a better natural passer and has the arm to stretch the defense vertically. Both saw time as a starter last year after Danny O'Brien lost the job (he's probably 3rd or 4th on the depth chart right now) but neither is the complete package that Andersen wants. If Stave was a little more athletic or Phillips threw a better deep ball the job would be theirs without much of a competition.

Alas that is not the case and for this reason a new face will be added to the mix come fall in JUCO transfer Tanner McEvoy. McEvoy was a highly touted dual threat quarterback who will be given every opportunity to win the job in preseason camp. He completed nearly 70% of his passes this past season. If he proves he has the ability to make throws and is a quick study when it comes to the playbook it will be tough for Stave or Phillips to hold him off. Andersen has made no secret that he likes what a mobile quarterback brings to the table and McEvoy was brought in to give Andersen the option of having one from day one.

Q: Montee Ball was a baller for the Badgers ground game the past couple of seasons, injury aside. He will be tough to replace, one might think, but Wisconsin always seems to have a solid running game. Who are we looking to see carry the ball on offense in 2013?

RB: Running back is my last concern for 2013. The backfield is an embarrassment of riches, and even with the loss of Ball there is still the dynamic 1-2 punch of James White and Melvin Gordon. White will likely be named the starter out of fall camp due to his experience but as the season progresses I suspect Gordon will supplant him as starter - or at least get the balance of carries - as he has all the tools to be a great back. The only question with Gordon is how he handles running between the tackles. The majority of his carries last year were on sweeps running to the edge; this will be his first season where he's working primarily out of the backfield. His performance in the spring game gave every indication that he could do just that but those contests are not always great indicators of regular season success.

Beyond those two Junior Jeff Lewis, redshirt freshman Vonte Jackson, and true freshman Corey Clement could contribute as a 3rd back. Andersen has also spoken at length about getting his running backs involved in the passing game more. Whether this means lining up out wide or catching the ball more out of the backfield has yet to be seen but the group will likely get their share of touches in the passing game as the team has major questions in the receiving corps.

AC: Wisconsin turns out quality running backs like PSU turns out linebackers, that's to say it's always going to be next man up. So, while it may suck to lose Ball, there's plenty of talent behind him. If you need to know what the backfield will look like, just DVR or find the replay of the last Big Ten Championship game, where we saw the Badgers backup's of James White and Melvin Gordon both go off. Hell, Gordon needed just 9 carries to go for over 200 yards rushing. He's shown this spring that he can do more that carry the ball on the edge too - for my money he could be the best back Wisconsin has ever produced when it's all said and done. Look for senior James White, who had some nagging injuries this spring, to get the first crack as a starter, but expect both to go for well over 1,000 yards this season, and that's not wishful thinking - just look to the 2009 season to see an example of multiple Badger backs going for 1,000 yards each.

Q: Wisconsin has had what some might call an underrated defense the past couple of seasons. One strength on Andersen's resume is the ability to improve a defense. Give readers a look at what Wisconsin loses on defense and who was stepping up in key spots this spring.

RB: The big losses on defense were in the secondary. Three of four starters from last season are gone and there isn't much depth at the position beyond the projected starters. Working alongside returning safety Dezmen Southward, the likely replacements at cornerback will be Peniel Jean and Darius Hillary who both saw time in the nickel package the past few years. They were both serviceable in those roles but as I mentioned earlier the question will be how they adjust to man defense and press coverages when most of their experience is in zone coverage. Behind them, things get murky. Early enrollee Sojourn Shelton looks to be the favorite to win the job as the 3rd cornerback but the Badgers are presently working on another JUCO signee who could compete with Shelton immediately.

Right now redshirt freshman Reggie Mitchell looks like the starting free safety but another JUCO signee in Donnell Vercher stands a good chance to win the job in the fall. For now at least the secondary is young and unproven. The development of this position group is a big question mark for the defense. Given the new scheme, they will need to execute for the defense to perform well overall.

Wisconsin fans are very excited about the emergence of Vince Biegel as punctuated by his strong performance in the spring game. Biegel was a highly touted recruit last year who would have seen significant playing time had he not been sidelined by a foot injury that forced him to redshirt. Working as an outside rush linebacker he looks like someone who could be a disruptive force on the defense. Chris Borland's began his Badger career as a linebacker that was moved all over the field, and there is a lot that reminds people of Borland in what Biegel brings to the table.

AC: The biggest question on the defensive side of the ball heading into spring was the secondary where the Badgers lose three of four starters from a season ago. However, new coach, new 3-4 scheme and new man-to-man coverage from this secondary. In the spring the group looked far better than it did even a season ago. One name to really watch out for is true freshman (and early entrant) Sojourn Shelton who was one of the top standouts of spring and the spring game. If he turns the corner physically this summer look for him to get some major playing time come the fall.

Wisconsin finished the year ranked in the Top 25 of every major statistical category on defense last year, but with the team returning all but four defensive players from a year ago and with the aggressive change this team looks even more scary on defense. I said it before, this could be the most underrated unit anywhere in the country, if for no other reason than everyone focuses on the offense with the Badgers.

Q: What were some of the other key position battles to watch this spring at Wisconsin? Who was a player fans outside of Wisconsin may not know now but will in the fall?

AC: The biggest position battle was at QB for sure, however those of us who follow and cover the team see the wide receiver battle as even bigger and less settled than the QB issue. Having said that one name that stood out above the crowd in the spring game on offense was junior WR Kenzel Doe - he's the opposite of Abbrederis, in that he's short (they list him at 5'8" tall & having stood next to him it's more like 5'6" and 185lbs.) - otherwise he's just like Abbrederis in that he catches the ball well, runs good/great routes and he's elusive when trying to be tackled. It appears he's finally put it all together and could be a major weapon for Andy Ludwig's offense this fall.

RB: While not so much a position battle, the biggest issue by far is the receiving corps. There is no other way to say it: outside of Jared Abbrederis - who is about as good as anyone in the conference - the rest of the group is just not that good. Kenzel Doe made the biggest splash in the spring game but given his size (5'8" 170 lbs.) it's hard to envision him as more than a slot receiver against top competition. Jordan Fredrick has decent hands but isn't terribly athletic or physical. Jeff Duckworth has largely disappeared since his signature catch in the B1G title game in 2011. The rest of the group - AJ Jordan, Chase Hammond, and Reggie Love - have the look of a wide receiver but seem a year away from being ready or haven't progressed in their development as others have hoped. Given the fact that Abbrederis was a walk on, the state of scholarship wide receivers on the Badgers is downright embarrassing for a program with championship aspirations.

Coming off an honorable mention all conference season hardly puts him under the radar, but I think Dez Southward is poised to make a major splash at strong safety in his senior season after playing free safety as a junior. Dez finished the season very strongly last year and looks to benefit greatly under Andersen's new defense. The head coach has made it very clear Southward is going to be used a lot and in just about every package on defense. I envision him playing up close to the line almost like an extra linebacker as he has great instincts for play recognition and can be a disruptive force in the backfield where his speed and athleticism create mismatches for opposing offenses. I'm not sold yet on the idea that the defense as a whole will be better, but I do think Southward is the blueprint for the type of player that Andersen will be recruiting to Madison in the future.

Q: Finally, the Big Ten will be moving to a nine-game conference schedule and re-organizing the divisions starting in 2014. With those changes, Penn State and Wisconsin will no longer meet in the final week of the regular season. How do the new conference plans impact Wisconsin?

AC: I'll actually miss having the PSU game at the end of the season - it's a game that's proven to be very meaningful to both schools the first two years and likely again this season. Having said that I don't know a single Badger fan that isn't happy as hell to see the new division alignment happen. Having Iowa cut out of the schedule more often than not just didn't sit well and was really missed by both sides. Add in the fact that we'll be in the same division as our hate rivals Minnesota and a budding rival in Nebraska and we got what we wanted. Plus, we don't have to deal with Michigan and Ohio State on an annual basis unless we're in the B1G Championship game (and when haven't we done that? lol) and it's all a win for the Badgers.

RB: Wisconsin is a huge winner with realignment. From a fan perspective, the Badgers regain their traditional rivalry with Iowa (the Penn State - Wisconsin rivalry never really caught on for me) and the budding, very natural rivalry with Nebraska is guaranteed every year. There is no doubt the West is an easier division given Iowa's current downturn. Outside of Wisconsin and Nebraska there isn't a team whose stated goals are winning the conference year in and year out. I know Northwestern is coming off a strong campaign, but I'm not convinced that program has the ability to do that on a yearly basis. Keeping Michigan State, Ohio State, and Michigan off the schedule most years helps things quite a bit.

Andy Coppens is the managing editor of Madtown Badgers (@MTBadgers) and The B1G Time (@TheB1GTime).

Richard Branch is the Co-Founder of Buck Around (@Buck_Around).

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Penn State Caravan: Bill O'Brien happy for NFL-bound Nittany Lions

2013-05-01T15:59:36+00:00

Although he only had one year with them, Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien is happy for Penn State's football players on their way to the NFL, whether it be by the draft or through free agent signings.

"Any time you coach guys, even though it was only for a year, and you see those guys' dreams come true, that's a neat thing for a coach and all of us who coached those guys," O'Brien said to Comcast Sportsnet in Philadelphia during the second Penn State caravan stop on the day.

Linebackers Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti were drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. Defensive tackle Jordan Hill was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, where he will play with former Penn State quarterback-turned Pro Bowl running back Michael Robinson. After the draft a hand full of players were signed to undrafted free agent contracts. Corner back Stephon Morris and offensive lineman Matt Stankiewitch were signed by the New England Patriots. The Carolina Panthers added full back Michael Zordich. Offensive tackle Mike Farrell was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yesterday we learned that quarterback Matt McGloin is heading to the Washington Redskins.

"Couldn't be happier for those guys," O'Brien said. "I think those organizations picked some great kids and I think they'll do real well."

Video provided by Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia.

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Cup of Joe: Penn State Caravan underway

2013-05-01T15:45:24+00:00

The new spring tradition of sorts, the Penn State coaches caravan, got started yesterday with bus stops in Reading and Philadelphia for Bill O'Brien and Pat Chambers. As far as football was concerned, scholarship management was top topic of the day with O'Brien explaining that his team will be at 67 scholarships on campus but likely to be at 64 scholarship players on the field. That puts Penn State ahead of NCAA sanction schedule to get to 65 scholarships for 2014, and could mean the Nittany Lions are operating at a scholarship level below a typical FCS program this fall.

Also, O'Brien continued to hint that Penn State is getting closer to a potential overseas trip to Ireland. He also hinted that Tyler Ferguson probably has a leg up on the quarterback picture for the fall but Christian Hackenberg will get a fair shot at competing for the starting job under center.

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Video courtesy of Comcast Sportsnet in Philadelphia.

Bill O'Brien: We'll be below FCS scholarship numbers. [Altoona Mirror]

Bill O'Brien wants to rethink Blue White Game strategy. [Examiner.com]

Zack Zwinak will miss half of training camp. [Reading Eagle]

No, Johnny U won't start at QB for Penn State. [Reading Eagle]

Penn State works on getting QB Hackenberg up to speed. [Philly.com]

Bill O'Brien spreads his message in Philly. [Philly.com]

Matt McGloin will be in a rookie camp with the Washington Redskins this weekend. [Nittany Lions Den]

If you missed it, Penn State kicks off against Michigan at 5 p.m. and against Ohio State at 8 p.m. [Nittany Lions Den]

Judge postpones hearing over Penn State suit filed by the state. [AP]

Were you a part of any of the top five Beaver Stadium crowds? [Victory Bell Rings]

Small sample size, but our Facebook poll shows fans would prefer to see Maryland be scheduled as Penn State's regular season finale opponent once the new conference schedule goes in to effect. [Facebook]

Penn State gets credit (some blame?) for the addition of Seven Nation Army to the soundtrack of NCAA Football 14. [EA Sports]

Around the Big Ten

Bill O'Brien said the Big Ten East will be a "murderer's row." With Ohio State and Michigan in the mix, it certainly is being perceived that way. But will it really be that lopsided compared to the West? [Football Study Hall]

Wisconsin and LSU scheduling a game in Lambeau Field would be awesome for a number of reasons. [Crystal Ball Run]

Nebraska had the feel-good story of the spring with Jack Hoffman getting a chance to run for a touchdown. On Monday Hoffman got a chance to visit President Barack Obama at the White House. [FOX Sports]

A look at the Big Ten recruiting scene. [Black Shoe Diaries]

In scores of other games...

Pitt has dismissed two players, tight end Drew Carswell and defensive back Eric Williams, and suspended one more (defensive tackle Khaynin Mosley-Smith) in response to recent drug paraphernalia possession charges. [AP]

LSU has indefinitely suspended last year's leading rusher, Jeremy Hill. Video surveillance may explain why. [College Football Talk]

SEC commissioner Mike Slive wants "experts" on the College Football Playoff selection committee. I'm available. [AP]

Maryland's QB issues were so bad last year they had to move a linebacker to the starting job late last season. He is now returning to his defensive position. [FOX Sports Carolinas]

Is college football ready for an openly gay player? [Sports Illustrated]

Texas A&M planning to expand Kyle Field to over 100,000 seats. [College Football Talk]

Oregon Fiesta Bowl rings are nice. [Gamedayr]

Alabama is a 22-point favorite in week one against Virginia Tech. Roll Tide. [Kegs 'N Eggs]

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Matt McGloin heading to Washington Redskins camp

2013-04-30T20:19:14+00:00

Yesterday, the now former Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin tweeted that he was looking forward to getting to a rookie mini camp this Thursday. There was just a slight problem. McGloin was not leaking which team he was joining in camp, and he directed those in the media wondering to direct their inquiries to his agent.

Today that changed as McGloin broke the news himself on Twitter.

Rookie camp with the Washington Redskins Thursday.
— Matt McGloin (@McGloinQB11) April 30, 2013

We'll have to wait and see just how McGloin fits in to the Redskins. Last year the NFC East franchise drafted Baylor and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III to be their franchise quarterback. When healthy, that works. The Redskins also drafted former Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has taken on a back-up role in Washington. The Redskins also have Rex Grossman and Pat White listed on the roster, so finding a roster spot may prove to be a difficult task for McGloin. But is there one thing Penn State fans know about McGloin by now, it is that he is not one to back away from a challenge and he certainly is a man who will be motivated to prove his doubters wrong. In a sense, that is what has been doing for the past three years in State College.

One thing McGloin has in his corner is a year of playing experience under the guidance of a pro-minded coach with Bill O'Brien. Playing a year in the type of offense he did, leading the Big Ten in a number of passing categories certainly seems to indicate that McGloin is capable of running an offense.

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Penn State, Michigan set for 5 p.m.; Penn State, Ohio State get primetime

2013-04-29T22:43:08+00:00

Penn State will host the Michigan Wolverines under the lights for homecoming on October 12, 2013, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. The game will be broadcast to a national audience on ESPN or ESPN2. Penn State's road game at Ohio State on October 26 will kick off in prime time, at 8 p.m. on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.

The Big Ten and ESPN released an initial list of prime time match-ups for the upcoming college football season today. With a less than attractive slate of games to choose from scheduled for October 12, it looked like a pretty simple pick to slide Penn State's homecoming match-up against the Wolverines in to the prime time slot. With the game also being one of the more attractive game son the schedule, a potential stadium-wide white out should certainly be in play here.

The last time Michigan visited Penn State, the game was played in prime time as well. Evan Royster and Matt McGloin led the offense to a big performance against Rich Rodriguez and Denard Robinson and company, winning 41-31. Royster rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns and McGloin passed for 250 yards and a touchdown. Michigan was led by Denard Robinson, who rushed for 191 yards and passed for 190 more in a losing effort.

Remember, starting in 2014 this will be a division match-up. In 2013 it will remain a crossover match-up in Big Ten play.

For a full rundown of updated kickoff times and schedule notes, check out the 2013 Penn State Football Schedule.

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2013 NFL Draft Rewind: Linebacker U duo graduates to Minnesota

2013-04-29T16:19:16+00:00

It seems only fitting that Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti get a chance to continue playing alongside each other at the next level. The Minnesota Vikings made sure that happened in the later rounds of the NFL Draft last week. Hodges was drafted by Minnesota with the 23rd pick in the fourth round and then drafted Mauti with the seventh pick in the seventh round.

The Viking are already looking for Mauti to play at middle linebacker, in time. The Vikings have two guys who can man the middle of the defense even without moving Henderson over from weak side. Audie Cole and Marvin Mitchell were both listed second on the depth chart at different spots last season and have been mentioned as potential starters in the middle. The Vikings also have salary cap room to work with and possible pursue a free agent such as Brian Urlacher. The addition of Mauti to the Vikings roster certainly adds some potential depth, if nothing else. Mauti will have to show his knees are ready to go and he will have to compete for a spot on the team, but the Vikings seem to feel confident he will do just that and felt he was too good of a player to pass up on once he dropped to the seventh round."I really tried to go in to this draft without any expectations because I understand my situation," Mauti said in a brief conference call with Minnesota area media soon after being drafted. "It's going to be a good summer of therapy and getting ready for preseason camp."

Mauti acknowledges that he may not be up to full speed to compete at the NFL level when the Vikings off-season training sessions take place, but he seems confident he will be able to compete later on. After rounding out his collegiate career playing mostly at the outside linebacker position, Mauti is likely to given an opportunity to play in the middle of the Vikings 4-3 defense.

"I have a lot of experience in the 4-3 and played all three positions at Penn State so I'm real comfortable with all three them," Mauti said. "I haven't talked to them about schemes or anything. I'm sure I'll talk to them more about that this week."

So, where do the linebackers fit in at Minnesota?

Minnesota was 15th in the NFL in total defense last season, and ranked 10th against the run and 30th against the pass. The Vikings made a clear push to improve the defense in the draft, with the first round selection of Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and Florida State defensive back Xavier Rhodes. The Vikings also added Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in the first round before coming back on Saturday and getting back to focusing on defense by drafting Hodges.

Hodges will have some coveage concerns.
Photo: Getty Images

Hodges brings solid coverage to Minnesota's defense, which should be expected after being converted from safety at Penn State. His ball awareness is generally very good and that makes him a strong asset to Minnesota's defense. What will be a concern at the NFL level is Hodges's ability to shed blockers. If Hodges can't get a blocker off of him, it will not matter how well he can carry.

Hodges could jump up the Minnesota depth chart quickly if the Vikings decide to part ways with Erin Henderson, a starter at weak side linebacker. Another option would be to move Henderson to the inside linebacker position, giving Hodges a chance to start quickly at the weak side spot.

Mauti will certainly have to work hard to keep a roster spot in Minnesota, with mobility certainly going to be a concern and a lack of great athleticism compared to other NFL linebackers. What Mauti has in his favor though is his attention to fundamental skills and his instincts on the field. Being able to be filled in at multiple linebacker spots if needed also helps Mauti's cause, if he can show his knees can hold up. Penn State fans know Mauti is going to work hard for his spot of course, and his level head and attitude should also help him make a case to stay on the roster in Minnesota.

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Cup of Joe: Big Ten schedule means new finale opponent, NFL Draft recap and more

2013-04-29T13:44:39+00:00

Penn State will officially be placed in the Big Ten's updated East Division, a stacked division that offers a chance to rekindle some old eastern rivalries of sorts. The new division will pit Penn State against Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Maryland and Rutgers. There will be no more protected crossover games, so say good bye to an annual game against Nebraska, and Wisconsin will be added to the West division so the door is open to a brand new regular season finale opponent.

Rutgers or Maryland would be kind of neat for Penn State to end the year with, but don't be surprised if this thing once again returns at the end of every season, while Rutgers and Maryland get paired in the final week.

Facebook Poll: With the new Big Ten divisions now officially announced, Penn State will have a new end-of-the-year opponent starting in 2014. Which school do you want Penn State to play in the final week of the regular season: Michigan State, Rutgers or Maryland?

NFL Draft Brief

We are going to spend some time recapping the NFL Draft as it relates to Penn State today on the site, but here is the quick run down o who went where:

Jordan Hill (defensive tackle) was the first Nittany Lion on the board, going to the Seattle Seahawks with the 87th overall pick in the third round. The Minnesota Vikings drafted linebackers Gerald Hodges (Round 4, 23rd pick, 120th overall) and Michael Mauti (Round 7, 7th pick, 213th overall).

Former Penn State wide receiver Justin Brown, who transferred to Oklahoma last summer and owns a degree from Penn State, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round, 186th overall.

Undrafted Free Agent Signings (Confirmed via New England Patriots Draft): Stephon Morris (CB, Patriots), Matt Stankiewitch (OL, Patriots), Mike Farrell (OT, Steelers), Michael Zordich (FB, Panthers)

Around the Big Ten

Here is the press release regarding the Big Ten's new divisions and nine-game conference schedule. [Big Ten]

Michigan's Denard Robinson was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars (as a running back), and his brother offered one awesome photo bomb. [SB Nation]

the Jaguars also want to know if they are on good terms with Kate Upton after drafting Robinson.

Hey @kateupton, does the drafting of @denardx mean you #StandUnited with the @jaguars now.
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@jaguars) April 28, 2013

With the new Big Ten nine-game conference schedule formally announced, Purdue could be looking to cancel their series with Notre Dame. [Twitter]

Wisconsin wants to host LSU in Lambeau Field. Please, somebody make this happen. [Journal Sentinel]

In Scores of Other Games...

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston was happy for his mentor, EJ Manuel, being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in round one. [YouTube - Disclaimer, NSFW language]

UCLA defensive back Marcus Rios is infected with a super rare disease with a very scary track record. Only 12 people have been confirmed to be infected with the fungus infection and eight of those eventually died because of it. [LA Times]

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