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On commercials you can flip to Penn State-LSU

"The football cake" originally uploaded by Flickr user Mission Control

Understandably the Flyers will take top priority in the Philly region on the first day of 2010, but if you are looking for something to check out during intermission or on commercials than change the channel to the Capital One Bowl, which will feature Penn State and LSU.

Penn State makes their fourth appearance in the bowl formerly known as the Citrus Bowl down in sunny Orlando. They will face one of the tougher teams in the SEC in only the second meeting between the two programs. The 1974 Orange Bowl victory for Penn State is the only other time they have played the Tigers, but none of that will matter in 2010.

Penn State's offense should be able to score enough points to come away with a victory to ring in the new year but the LSU defense could pose a threat to Penn State's hopes. The Nittany Lions have lost two games this season and in each game their offense was thwarted by stingy defenses against Iowa and Ohio State. Sure, Penn State did a number on the rest of their opposition this season, but the track record shows that when Penn State plays the big boys they tend to play like Nittany Cubs.

This bowl match-up looks to be the most interesting one in the bowl schedule, perhaps even more so than one or two of the high profile BCS games. Both teams are used to big games. Not so long ago LSU won the national championship. Over the last four seasons LSU has won four bowl games by an average of over 25 points per game, although they do not seem to have the kind of offensive firepower to continue that trend against a veteran Penn State defense that allows fewer than 12 points per game.

So when the pucks stop being shot on goal for a moment or two today switch over to the Capital One Bowl for some warm sunshine and hard nosed college football. It's really what New Year's Day is still all about. consider this your game thread for the Capital One Bowl this afternoon, but if you are still aching for hockey, stay tuned.

For more college football coverage form Kevin McGuire, stop by Examiner.com where he has been covering Penn State football all season and has recently taken the role of national college football writer. In addition stop by NittanyWhiteOut.com for more on the blue and white.

Temple Athletics' Super Saturday Sweep

On a busy day for the student body, pep band and PA announcer, the Temple Owls pulled off and impressive football/basketball doubleheader, Saturday, claiming victory at both ends of Broad Street by night’s end.  The party started early for fans with morning tailgates at the Linc and its surrounding lots featuring all the usual grilling, (of-age, responsible) drinking and body painting.  TU had promoted “Super Saturday” heavily throughout the week both on campus and its athletic website; by noon, an hour before game time, you could see the University’s hard promotion had paid off.  Though ticket sales failed to match the opening night fiasco called the Mayor’s Cup earlier this season, the crowd of more than 20,000 was remarkable, nonetheless.  A clear show of gratitude for the program’s near-miraculous turnaround under Al Golden, support from not only the students, but also the local community is a great sign for this team going forward.

Come the 1:00 p.m. kickoff, the Owl’s Nest -- known to most as Lincoln Financial Field -- was ready for Temple to cap off its home schedule with yet another dominant performance over a MAC opponent.  And, as they have in now nine straight weeks, Temple delivered.  Despite some early struggles including what Coach Golden is calling a “maybe fairly significant” injury to star running back Bernard Pierce, the Owl’s rebounded with an inspiring 156-yard, 2 TD performance by Pierce’s counterpart, the 5’5, 167-pound Matt Brown.   While the near-constant Maurice Jones-Drew references that emanated from the front rows of certain cherry-covered sections were certainly overblown (and outrageously entertaining), Brown’s effort, coupled with a strong showing from the defense including a 36-yard pick-six by defensive back Kee-Ayre Griffin, propelled the Owls to 47-13  trouncing over the Golden Flashes.

Penn State battles for the "ugliest" trophy in sports

Really, is anyone "proud" of winning this behemoth of a trophy?

When Penn State joined the Big Ten as a full time conference member, including football, Michigan State was thrown at them to be their "conference rival". The allure of playing Michigan State to finish each season was far fetched, so somebody decided to create a trophy to accompany the game.

Designed by former Michigan State, and Philadelphia Stars, head coach George Perles, the Land Grant Trophy honors both Penn State and Michigan State as two of the original institutions with a land-grant history behind them. The Spartans and Nittany Lions are the most recent members to join the Big Ten as well.

So what?

Penn State seniors look to go out with a win

Indiana in an upset over Penn State? Not so fast my friend...

Kevin McGuire is back with a game day thread for today's Penn State-Indiana game. Feel free to discuss all things college football below and for more on Penn State football after the game head over to Examiner or Nittany White Out to see what Kevin has to say about the game.

BCS? Forget about it!

Big Ten championship? No chance sweetheart.

New Year's Day Bowl game?

Today Penn State will search for an answer to their second loss of the season. While the Iowa loss left a bitter feeling afterward, losing to Ohio State had more of a deflating feeling among Penn State faithful. the slow, gradual, defeat unfolded in a painful way as Penn State's dreams of a second consecutive BCS bowl shifted form the Penn State sideline "across the field" to the Ohio State sideline. So what is left to play for in Happy Valley?

Pride.

Penn State on the road again

Penn State fans remember this play like it was yesterday. See the video below for the source footage of one of the most important plays this decade in the Penn State football program.

Kevin joins the 700 Level to offer an appetizer for tonight's Phillies game. On the menu is Penn State football if you so desire. For more of Kevin's Penn State coverage check out Examiner and Nittany White Out.

After picking up a much needed win for the program last week in Ann Arbor, Penn State takes their show back on the road with a game at heavy underdog Northwestern.

At first glance this would seem to be an easy win for the Nittany Lions. They have the better offense and by far a better defense. Throw in the fact that Northwestern's success rides the arm and legs of quarterback Mike Kafka and it would seem that Penn State should have an easy time today.

And they should.

Penn State visits the Big House of Painful Memories

Kickoff, originally uploaded by Flickr member Jason Yoder.

If Penn State is going to make a run at a Big Ten title this year they must come away with a rare victory in Michigan Stadium. The Nittany Lions have lost five straight in Ann Arbor (2-5 overall) and have not won at Michigan since 1996.

1996!

White Out of a different nature at Penn State

Michigan State at Penn State 2008, originally uploaded by Flickr member sxt

Kevin here once again from Examiner and Nittany White Out to provide you with your Penn State game thread for today.

Normally when you hear about a White Out and Penn State you think of a stadium with over 100,000 fans all dressed in white. Not quite the case this weekend as Penn State gets back to Big Ten competition with a home game against Minnesota. On Thursday State College was covered with over four inches of snow and more snow was expected to fall Friday night. This weather has created a problem for the Homecoming crowd that was hoping to get some good autumn tailgating in this weekend as all of the grass parking lots were closed effective yesterday. Have fun packing those shuttle buses!

Penn State looks to rebound on the road

Pack the bus! Penn State is on the road!
Penn State Tailgater Originally uploaded by Flickr member cassidyjim

Kevin covers Penn State football on a daily basis for Examiner, and also is a regular contributor at Nittany White Out.

After having their BCS championship dreams take a punch to he gut last week at home against Iowa, the Nittany Lions take to the road looking for redemption. The destination; Champaign, Illinois to take on the Fighting Illini.

Both schools claim to be "Linebacker U" - Penn State has greats like Shane Conlan and Lavar Arrington, Illinois has Dick Butkus and Ray Nitschke) - but today Penn State will be without one of their top linebackers of today. Sean Lee is expected to be unavailable once again although Navorro Bowman will be back on the field.

We interrupt this pennant race to bring you a Penn State game

Penn State vs. Notre Dame (2007), originally uploaded by Flickr user Ed Dame

Kevin covers Penn State football on a daily basis for Examiner, and also is a regular contributor at Nittany White Out.

And not just any Penn State game. Tonight the Nittany Lions play host to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten conference opener for both schools.

Penn State is out for revenge after losing a shot at the BCS championship game when Iowa kicked a last second field goal to score the upset of the year in the Big Ten. For Penn State to win in the nationally televised prime time meeting they will need a big game from their offensive line. Protection of quarterback Daryll Clark will be key, as Iowa seemed to rattle the Penn State quarterback last season and caused him to make some poor throws.

Penn State is thirsty for more

Drink for the Nittany Lion, originally uploaded by Flickr member wb_ennis

Is it a rivalry? Not exactly, but whenever Temple and Penn State get together the fans are sure to exchange verbal insults. Today Penn State hosts Temple, and they do so with a 26 game winning streak against the Owls.

Joe Paterno has never lost a game to Temple, and the Owls have not won a game against Penn State since the middle of World War II. Penn State has kept Temple out of the end zone for three straight games. Penn State has never lost a game to Temple when playing at home. It would seem that things are not looking to bright for Temple today.

Penn State looks to squeeze the Orange

The Lion, originally uploaded by rct828

A classic rivalry will reunite today in Beaver Stadium in the happiest of valleys. #5/7 Penn State (1-0) welcomes old rival Syracuse (0-1) to Beaver Stadium for the first time since 1990. You may not realize it but the Nittany Lions and Orange used to play each other all the time. Syracuse is Penn State's second most common opponent, although a move to the Big Ten halted the long series.

Penn State demolished Syracuse up in the Carrier Dome last September and although the Orange have a new head coach and a certain former Duke point guard, Greg Paulus, taking snaps at quarterback, the end result today figures to be much of the same. Penn State had a big day passing last week against Akron, as Daryll Clark had a career day and was named co-offensive Big Ten player of the week. Wide receiver Derek Moye emerged as a possible go-to receiver. Will that carry over against Syracuse?

Penn State Pays Tribute to V-Tech

Penn State played their annual Blue/White game in front of a record crowd of 71,000 yesterday in Happy Valley.  As they have done so well under legendary coach Joe Paterno, Penn State showed a ton of class while paying tribute to fellow football powerhouse of Virginia Tech.

"They love the game," Paterno said about the crowd. "They love this place, and yet their love is deep enough that it carries across two states. ... It's a great day, and I'm proud to be part of it."

>>Record Crowd Of 71,000 Turns Out For Penn State Blue-White Game & Photos [GoPSUSports]
>>Paterno, Penn State pay tribute to Virginia Tech victims [USA Today]