Michigan-Penn State: Unhappy In Happy Valley? Just Ask the Experts

(Note: Despite losing starting quarterback Rob Bolden in the second quarter, Penn State (4-3, 1-2) won its first Big Ten game of the season Saturday at Minnesota (1-7, 0-4). Reserve QB Matt McGloin completed a pair of touchdown passes in the 33-21 victory). 

The Penn State football community was fairly optimistic about the 2010 season just a few months ago. The Nittany Lions had just completed a pair of banner seasons, including a Big Ten Championship in 2008 and a Capital One Bowl victory over LSU on January 1 (2010).

In pre-season polls, they were ranked No. 14 in the nation by USA Today, No. 19 by AP, and were picked by many to finish in the top half of the Big Ten.

But following a listless start (3-3, 0-2), the mood in Happy Valley is anything but.

Like the similar situation in Ann Arbor, there are plenty at Penn State willing to point fingers.

Players and coaches will sometimes find fault, but writers and bloggers rarely hold back.

Even its road game at (1-6. 0-3) Minnesota Saturday has one reporter concerned. “The Lions must overcome the travel west and an 11 a.m. start,” wrote Mike Poorman of StateCollege.com. “But the Gophers are over-matched. It is clear that if Penn State loses against the Gophers, it will be a self-inflicted wound.”

Now if playing at 11 a.m. is a problem, I’d bet shooting themselves in the foot would be easy.

Of course, Minnesota, has its own problems. The Gophers introduced its new "interim" head coach, promoting offensive coordinator Jeff Horton. (Horton came to the Gophers from the NFL Detroit Lions where he coached the quarterbacks to a 2-14 record during 2009).

Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster was fired this week after posting a 15-30 record.

While the defense has struggled with injuries—Penn State's offense has been the real disappointment—scoring just 16 points in consecutive Big Ten losses.

Granted the Nittany Lions were breaking in a freshman quarterback, but with All-American hopeful Evan Royster returning at running back and a veteran offensive line in place, Penn State was expected to move the ball.

Penn State’s low point came October 9 when Illinois (3-2, 2-1) shut-out the Lions in the second half on the way to a 33-13 win. In front of the home crowd,  Evan Royster gained an uncharacteristic 35 yards on 10 carries. Penn State’s total offense for the day was limited to seven first downs, 65 yards rushing and 235 total yards.

“Offensively, it was woeful,” mentioned our own Bleacher Reporter Alex Ferguson. “Two trips to the end zone, the now-usual six points. The offensive line is downright offensive to watch, Evan Royster looks overweight and uncaring, the wide receivers can't catch the ball, and Rob Bolden is a quarterback who has little time to make a play,” Ferguson said. “And when he does, it's pretty dismal, too.”

Unfortunately, the criticism isn’t left to the offense. “While it's easy to understand that without most of your starters on your defense, the team’s not going to be particularly good. And they weren't.” Ferguson added. “They couldn't tackle at all.” 

Michigan fans are in the third season of this unwanted conundrum. They understand Penn State’s dilemma. “I read a lot of blog articles from writers appealing to Penn State fans to be patient—it's a young team, there are injuries, we will get better, this isn't the year for a BCS bowl run, but we will be awesome in the future.“ Bleacher Reporter Carolyn Todd wrote.

“Awesome” of course, remains to be seen, but Penn State may patch things up just enough to give Minnesota a battle this weekend and Michigan a scare on Devil’s Night.