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Q: Will Tony Hunt be able to run on Michigan?
Hiran Ratnayake, Fridley, Minn.
FITTIPALDO: Good question, Hiran. This, perhaps more than any other part of the game, will determine whether Penn State has a shot to beat the Wolverines. Michigan is the No. 1 team in NCAA Division I against the run. Penn State has been able to run on every team thus far, including Ohio State. If Hunt can have a few nice runs early, it would open up the play-action pass and it would give Anthony Morelli a better chance to succeed. Hunt does not have to have a great day, but if he can run for 60 or 70 yards it would be enough to keep Penn State in the game, provided Morelli is able to make a few plays in the passing game.
Q: Every time Penn State plays Michigan it seems that the Big Ten officials cheat for Michigan. Year after year I have seen bad calls against Penn State whenever it plays Michigan. Why won't the Big Ten use non-conference officials to referee this game. Out here in Pac-10 country the officials for the Oregon-Oklahoma game were really criticized for cheating for Oregon. I have told Oklahoma fans they are lucky they never played Michigan with Big Ten officials because the Big Ten does whatever it takes for Michigan to win the game. Lee Corso of ESPN has said the Big Ten officials are the worst in college football and they know who they want to win the game. My prediction is Michigan will win again this year because Big Ten officials will fix the game for Michigan.
D. Montanaro, Tucson, Ariz.
FITTIPALDO: The quality of Big Ten officiating has not been great over the past several years. They have blown too many calls in too many crucial situations in big games. Instant replay has been able to resolve some of their errors, but not all of them. There are lots of conspiracy theories out there about Michigan and the Big Ten. They're a lot like the New York Yankees that way. But I don't really buy the talk that the Big Ten wants Michigan to win because it's good for the conference. I would hope this game is free of controversy because bad calls will only take away from what should be one of the best games of the Big Ten season.
Q: Thanks for your answer to my question last week. Here's another: How does Mario Manningham being out of the lineup for Michigan even the playing field for Penn State this week?
D.J. Powell, Beltzhoover
FITTIPALDO: It's a huge deal, D.J. Manningham averages a touchdown about once every three times he touches the ball. You take that scoring element away and someone else has to make big plays. Steve Breaston, who has never developed into a top-flight receiver, might get that opportunity. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said that freshman Greg Matthews, a highly touted player out of Florida, would get an opportunity as well. It's going to affect their offense big-time. The question then becomes: Does Penn State have enough firepower on offense to win a 17-14 or 24-17 type of game? I don't think they do, but they could surprise me. My prediction: Michigan 10, Penn State 7.
Q: I have a couple of questions and comments: First, I've been following Penn State for about 35 years and have never seen the Lions have so much difficulty with field goal kicking. What is going on?
Next, I guess the second half of the Northwestern game didn't solve the red zone problems. Again, this game [Minnesota] should have been put away. Why are they running a quarterback sneak when they have a 230-pound running back in the backfield? And three, flanker sweeps fools nobody and only works against the likes of Youngstown State. I find more fault with the play-calling than anything else when they get inside the 20. It appears they get too cute instead of staying in the attack mode.
Mick Fulton, University City, Texas
FITTIPALDO: The field goal operation is a joke. It almost looks like they don't practice it. When they are fortunate enough to get a good snap, Kevin Kelly misses short field goals. Maybe they ought to try a fake. Oh wait, they tried that against Notre Dame, and then-holder Jason Ganter tripped and fell. They ought to just go for it on fourth down all the time. Part of the problem with the field goal unit is the red zone offense. If the offense would punch in touchdowns instead of settling for field goal attempts all the time, it wouldn't be such a big issue. Joe Paterno should give his offensive coaches electric shock treatment every time they talk about having Morelli run with the ball. Maybe that will stop the insanity. Every time Paterno is asked about Tony Hunt he refers to him as one of the best running backs to ever play at Penn State. Like you, I'm trying to figure out why he is not used in such situations. I am only guessing on this, but maybe the coaches don't have confidence that the offensive line won't allow penetration in those third- and fourth-and-short situations and they want something quick-hitting. Whatever it is, the coaches need to try something else because what they're currently doing is not working.
Q: I was a little disappointed in Joe and Tom Bradley leaving three timeouts on the board late in the second half against Minnesota. I thought they could have used at least one timeout on the last drive on defense when the Gophers got down to the PSU 2 and before the fourth down play at the Minnesota 20, but especially after the long completion on fourth down to the 35. I thought a timeout would have been a great call to quiet the crowd, settle down the defense and get everyone out of the prevent mode deep in the Minnesota end and into tighter coverage. Any insight into why those timeouts were left on the table?
Jerri Bullock, Beaver Falls
FITTIPALDO: The thing you have to remember is that Penn State was in total control before the fourth down completion, so there was no reason to call one there. After the 42-yard reception on fourth down, there was less than two minutes remaining, so I'm sure the coaches were thinking let the clock run. Maybe you call one once they get down to the 2, but I don't have a big problem with leaving those timeouts out there.
Q: How many undefeated seasons has Penn State had and what were the years?
Rick, New Liberia
FITTIPALDO: Since 1900, Penn State has had six undefeated and untied seasons. They were in 1912, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1986 and 1994. Only one of those teams was crowned the national champions.
Q: Another question: Will Penn State alter its defense in how it covers the tight end? Minnesota and Notre Dame both killed us with the tight end. Michigan relies heavily on the tight end.
Mick Fulton, Universal City Texas
FITTIPALDO: That's a good observation, Mick. Penn State has been exposed in the middle of its defense by the tight end this season. On the first Minnesota touchdown, Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny said he screwed up. I'm not sure what happened on the same play late in the fourth quarter. Michigan tight end Mike Massey has six catches for 43 yards in the first six games this season, so I would not categorize him as a huge part of Michigan's passing game. With Manningham out, his role certainly could grow, especially if the coaches pick something up on film that they think they can expose. But I would look more for an expanded role for receivers Breaston and Matthews.
Q: Not so much a question, but Penn State plays Buffalo, Florida International and Temple next year and can't find room for Pitt? I can't believe the most rabid Nittany Lions fans don't question the schedule.
Gil Lucas, Holmes Beach, Fla.
FITTIPALDO: Pitt is only part of the issue, Gil. Penn State pretty much has made clear that it will play one marquee non-conference game every year. The other three non-conference games are going to be against lower level Division I-A teams and at home, for the most part. Penn State will travel to Temple next year, but only because the Owls agreed to a three-for-one deal. Pitt will not agree to even a two-for-one deal. There is one way fans can look at the schedule as a positive: Penn State will be in contention for a BCS bowl because the schedule is not very challenging. Look at the schedule last season: South Florida, Cincinnati and Central Michigan were the non-league games. The Lions won the Big Ten's BCS berth. The same thing could happen next year if the Lions can beat Notre Dame at home.
Log in and chat with Ray Fittipaldo about Penn State football on Thursdays at 1 p.m.
