Blue & White Roundtable – post mortem edition

With most of the bowl games and therefore seasons over, our Roundtable takes a look back (and ahead) this week. Fresh off his pretty amazing gig of live bloggin’ over at Awful Announcing, Run has the questions this week.

1. Okay, you've seen Penn State and Notre Dame's bowl performances. What would the score be if they played next weekend?

Well I know it would be different then the last score but there’s just no way to tell. I’m not going to say Penn State would beat Notre Dame now – ND beat PSU fair and square so we’ll just leave it at that and wait for the Irish in happy valley next season. I regret that the only bad game Penn State played defensively was against Notre Dame, but it happens.

2. Many are claiming that Anthony Morelli had a breakout game in the Outback Bowl. Others point to the boxscore: 14-25, 197 yards, 1 TD, and say "big deal." How much confidence does this give you in our passing game for next season?

First and foremost, I’m more proud of the way the line played which gives me a level of confidence somewhere above despair. As for Morelli, I think that’s the type of game a lot of fans had expected from the get go – he was poised, accurate and threw the freakin’ ball away when he got in trouble. I’m not ready to put his name on my 2007 Heisman list but it makes the off-season a tad more palatable. With all three wide receivers back, some young guys like Bell in the mix, and the strong play of Quarless over the last 4 games, how can you NOT feel somewhat optimistic about the passing game? I’m downright giddy over the thought of having a big, pass-catching tight end next season – something PSU hasn’t had for a long time. I know this: if calling him dumb and sending pseudo-death threats gets Morelli fired up that much get ready for a weekly death threat from The Nittany Line next season.

3. Wisconsin came to play. Michigan and Minnesota, not so much. What were the most disappointing and inspiring Big Ten bowl performances so far?

You have to be amazed at the job first year coach Bret Bielema has done with Wisconsin. I think Wisconsin was in the same boat as Penn State, most people didn’t believe they had a chance against Arkansas and they did it in typical Big Ten fashion, with solid defense and limited mistakes. Now Wisconsin has beat two SEC teams in a row that they were supposed to lose big to, when are the Badgers (and the Big Ten) going to get respect?

I was most disappointed in Nevada: they had the only legitimate shot they are probably ever going to get to beat Miami and they blew it. Thanks for the effort Wolfpack, you won’t have a similar chance for a very long time.

Editor’s note: I just realized that Run limited the answer to BIG TEN bowl games. Having said that there was no bigger disappointment then Minnesota. How in the HELL do you blow a 31 point lead late in the 3rd quarter? Mason lost his job for it but his D-coordinator was the guy to blame. Terrible.

4. Nick Saban bolted from the Miami Dolphins to (finally!) Alabama for a reportedly guaranteed eight-year, $32 million deal. Is he the evil creep so many people are making him out to be, and what would you have done in his situation?

I probably would have bolted for a guaranteed $32 mil as well, but the difference is I wouldn’t have lied through my teeth about it. There’s something to be said for personal integrity and when you emphatically deny your interest in a job over and over and over again and then take the job… well… it just makes you look like a used car salesman.

What can Nick Saban do for you?

5. Holy crap, what about Boise State and Oklahoma? Best game ever? Best bowl game ever? Best non-championship game ever? Or are you just tired of sports media hacks claiming that everything is the "best ______ ever"?

It was a great ending, unfortunately I was passed out from 1) too much New Year’s eve partying which was followed by 2) WAY too early wakeup call for FU**ING 11 AM PSU start time. I watched the replays but I doubt they did the game justice. Without a doubt, that was the biggest game this season that I regret missing.

Damn you beer pong and your seductive ways!

Lightning Round!
Penn State's starting running back next season?

Unless he can’t show up for meetings – Austin Scott: he’s the Senior who has waited his turn – that’s Paterno’s way.

Will Joe Paterno claim the starting QB job is open, and would he be lying if he did?

He will claim it’s open, and yes he will be lying.

Do you really think there will be any coaching staff changes at PSU in the off-season?

Rumor has it that their may be someone retiring, other then that – no.

BCS Championship prediction?

At least one of the teams will be a controversial pick – it STILL won’t be the two best teams in the nation. How’s that for weaseling out of an answer?

Editor’s note part II: I have to stop hitting the crack pipe late at night – I thought the question was geared toward next season. At any rate Ohio State 35 – Florida 24.

There you have it, leave your thoughts in the comment section below and stop by Run Up The Score and Black Shoe Diaries, the latter where I lead the Bowl game pickem’ (just sayin’), for their answers as well.