On the road again..
From the road:
The car is packed, the plans are made, the boys are ready. All we need now is a victory, to make the long ride home more tolerable.Â
Once a year we make the trek by ground or by air to see our beloved Nitts play in the road whites. Historically, they have been long rides home. This year may or may not be different. I’ve learned to have no expectations. I’ve learned that being on the road is different. You are less likely to win. We have to face that fact. But dammit, we REALLY want this victory.Â
More reports from Ann Arbor (is a whore) to come!
What’s next?
From the Field:
What’s next for a team that is 2-0 and has its fan base thinking big things? Disaster, if we aren’t careful. We are being set up for a huge let down one of these weeks if we get complacent about preparation, focus, and reality. Questions about the offense abound, and great expectations about this young defense are spreading a feeling of invincibility. Truth be told, I’ve bought into it. I think we could be REALLY, REALLY good if we do all the little things that Papa Joe preaches. I and millions of PSU faithful hope that’s the case.
So what are the so called “experts” thinking. Here’s samplings from around the media:
From the Parking Lot:
Perhaps the best thing about big games is the tailgate. You can never count on a hyped game living up to the hype. The tailgates are somewhat more reliable. As my few readers know, I missed this hyped tailgate for a wedding. But all reports indicate that it was one for the ages. Marathon washer games, inappropriately short intervals for the shot chair, and a large crowd filled to the brim with tailgate recipes to behold. The Fan is looking forward to getting back in the groove with a tailgate this weekend with Buffalo and then the big one next weekend at Michigan. When PennStateTailgate.com goes on the road to Ann Arbor (is a wh*re) only great times happen.Â
Notre Lame?
From the Field:
Should we take this team seriously? You bet your ass we should. Am I the only one that is still worried? Probably not. Do I think we’ll win, absolutely. Will I be there? Nope. Brother-in-law’s wedding. I know. Unbelievable. But I’m at peace with that, now. Back to the game.Â
So now that the pessimistic part is over. I think we could actually go undefeated. I’m on record (I know there are others) that we actually have a shot. If we get out of September (yes that includes a win over Michigan whom we haven’t beat since Clinton was president…on the road) we could have a chance. The schedule still plays out in our favor and we could do this. I’d love a trip in early January…that might make the miss of Notre Dame a little easier.
From the parking lot:
Life in the parking lot this weekend will be out of control. Follow along with the PennStateTailgate.com’ers on the Lion Board. Talk will be on Notre Dame, and memories will be fresh of their loss last week, along with the Michigan debacle, and oh by the way Bobby Bowden losing again. JoePa is only two games behind the elder Bowden and is charging HARD. I think the next two years could get JoePa back in the hunt for that record. Pat Forde had a great article that showed three coaches Penn State fans have no love lost for go down. The only thing that will make that weekend even more perfect is a perfect season. I know it’s early, but why not us?
Until next time, S-T-A-T-E GO STATE!
“Believe deep down in your heart that you’re destined to do great things.”
-Joe Paterno
Appalachian State?
From the Parking Lot:
Tailgating at a Penn State game is an experience like no other. We’ve chronicled that many times before on PennStateTailgate.com. Every once in awhile, however, there is a bit more of a community in the parking lot. Something that brings the fans even closer. That happened on Saturday in Happy Valley when news of the impending Michigan loss spread faster than a fire at a sawdust factory.Â
People were roaming the parking lots, with score updates coming from cell phones, makeshift satellite TVs and word of mouth in line for the porta potties. PSU fans were immediately enjoying themselves just a bit more. The joy of the loss was only a bit interrupted by the thought every fan was having “will this make them a hell of a lot harder to beat in three weeks?”
All I know if that celebrating a Michigan loss in early September is a rare treat, unless they’re playing Notre Dame. This one was fun. Of course, all you Mich lovers out there have plenty to come back at me with (yeah I remember the last victory…I was in my twenties then), but it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy this one.Â
The rest of this week’s tailgate went off without a hitch. Beautiful weather, delicious food, and spectacular company. These are the days…
From the Field:
I usually leave the expert on the field analysis to my good friend over at “In the Huddle,” but I’ll offer my opinion here: You couldn’t tell one thing from this game.I usually leave the expert on the field analysis to my good friend over at but I’ll offer my opinion here: You couldn’t tell one thing from this game.There were no answers as to the reliability of the offensive line, but there was a game of experience under their belt. There were still dropped passes by Derrick Williams, and fumbles that will change a game in the heart of the Big Ten schedule. There were many flashes of talent, but how much can you really tell against a team that hasn’t won a game in such a long time. I’d say not much. Of course, I’ll take still wondering to losing to a I-AA team. Go Blue…and White!
Until next time in the parking lot…
S-T-A-T-E GO STATE!
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