Ahh, the love hate relationship that is college football.  As every week goes by I try and find a shred of hope that this is it, this will be the week that the 2011 version of Penn State football finally gels.  It's painful.  I hope the athletic department is ready to field a call from my lawyer when my stomach ulcers and high blood pressure they've finally burst.  Needless to say the past season and almost a half I've probably shortened my life expectancy by more than a few years. 

I really do feel like this team is one of those that could be 5-7 or 10-2 which is crazy.  Defense wins ball games and we have a world class defensive unit once again (hats off to you boys). One thing I've loved about this years team is the front 4 cause havoc (something that didn't happen last year).  Last year was supposed to be a coming out party for Jack Crawford and now I don't hear anyone even mention him when they talk about our defense (Noah Spence, are you listening? This could be a sweet home for you).  Our defense can compete with any team in the nation and has kept hope alive this year.  And yes, I'll say it, we still gave Alabama their toughest test this season.

Now if we could only get other side of the ball to wake up.  The O line and QBs HEEELLLLOOOO!!! The rest of the team is already on the bus anytime you're ready join us won't you (Hey Gunner Kiel and Devin Fuller, you want a shot to start next year for a team with a shot?  Do what Skyler did).  I mean it's not like the #11 or #1 are running for their lives this year like last.  Pass protection has actually been pretty good allowing only 1 sack.  These guys are standing back there and just not hitting targets.  Let's take a couple examples from Indiana alone.  1st quarter Bolden underthrows a wide open Moye who was behind the entire defense  and could have crawled in the endzone instead he's tackled.  Later in the drive Bolden misses a wide open Szczerba (who was practically standing still) inside the 10 resulting in a tipped ball and an INT.  And for god sakes man, someone teach Bolden how to throw a screen pass.  Can anyone find film of a good one he has thrown this year?  Now a little dig on the coaching staff.  Why do you draw up QB runs for McGloin and not Bolden?  Matt just looks funny scrambling is that your way of making a joke?  I think we could get a little more productivity out of Bolden if we let him dance around like he used to in High School.  It's not rocket science, he's having trouble hit open targets, so get him comfortable doing other things besides listening to Metallica in the headset because god knows no one is coaching the young man.  Now Matt, don't go getting all bushy tailed over there.  Yes, you have made a few more plays than any other QB on the roster but you're not exactly hitting guys in between the numbers either.  I'm only left to wonder if Paul Jones could've got his act together in the classroom perhaps the 3rd time would've been a charm and we'd have a leader on offense (probably a stretch but I'm a positive guy what can I say).

I'm heading up to the Iowa game this weekend.  A game that will finally tell the fan base what kind of team we have this year.  I've heard all the opinions but until we see our team on Saturday no one really knows.  This is definition Saturday for the 2011 season and here is to hoping we finally get the formula right.