Greg_M: Does it seem like D. Clark actually looks off the safety every so often (something A. Morelli never did)?

Ron Musselman: Daryll Clark has been pretty solid so far. Even center A.Q. Shipley admitted this week that's he surprised by Clark's poise. Shipley said Morelli was pretty rattled -- or something along those lines -- in his first start or two. Granted, it's only Coastal Carolina and Oregon State, but Clark has looked better than anyone could have imagined. He needs to stay consistent for Penn State to have a good season.

Ron_Jr.: Ron, heard you say on Rivals Radio in the preseason that PSU wasn't close to being as good as Wisconsin. How you think that will hold up?

Ron Musselman: Well, I do believe Penn State will start the year 5-0. Then the tough part comes. Penn State may be even with Wisconsin now but remember the Lions have to play the Badgers on the road, and they have not been a good road team, especially in Big Ten play. Penn State also is at Purdue, Iowa and Ohio State. They could go 3-1 during that stretch, but 2-2 is also a distinct possibility. And let's not forget Michigan at home. It would seem the perfect year for Penn State to end its nine-game losing streak against the Wolverines, but you never know.

John_S: Ron, any thoughts from the players on what they think of the ongoing absence of Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma?

Ron Musselman: Josh Gaines was saying the other day that he talked to Evans and Evans was feeling bad about what happened. Evans and Koroma are like most 19 and 20 years old. They did something stupid -- allegedly -- and now are paying for it. Evans was considered the best end in Big Ten and a preseason All-American candidate. I would expect both him and Koroma to be back by the Illinois game later this month. The Lions don't need either player to beat Syracuse Saturday or Temple next week.

Ron_Jr.: Heard you say on ESPN that this program has been on a downward spiral since 2001. Guess they have no shot at winning the Big Ten this year, then.

Ron Musselman: Yeah, but let's not forget. This is a program that has been mediocre in the Big Ten -- 32-32 since 2000 -- and a program that is 5-16 against Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin during the same stretch. You can argue all you want, but the facts are the facts. Penn State is a middle of the pack team that has a real good year every four or five years. This could be one, but before you get too anxious, let's see what happens in October when the Lions actually play some quality competition.

PSU4BCS: Is Penn State that good or was Oregon State that bad?

Ron Musselman: I think it's a little bit of both. Penn State's offense has been really outstanding so far. Evan Royster has been as good a running back as anyone on the country. But I have to be honest, I was expected a lot more out of Oregon State. That was a pretty lame effort by the Beavers at Beaver Stadium.

ari_gold: Is this potentially the most potent offense PSU has had since the Rose Bowl season?

Ron Musselman: Absolutely. I wrote a story about that very subject on Monday. This offense has plenty of playmakers and as long as Clark and Royster continue to play well, who know what kind of numbers they might put up. I think the real test for the offense will come in October once the Lions get into the heart of their Big Ten schedule and actually play some good opponents.

Ron_Jr.: Clark "pretty solid"? He's leading the Big Ten in passing efficiency.

Ron Musselman: You can call it whatever you want. He's been rock solid against two pretty weak opponents.

MRob_s_Ghost: Aside from HAVING to cover the team, would you consider yourself a PSU fan?

Ron Musselman: Nope. You can't cover a team fairly and have a rooting interest. The only thing I do root for is a warm bowl game -- in Florida, California, Arizona.

rathskeller: Does JoePa pass Bowden for good this year in the win total column (which should be Joe's anyway because of Bowden's 1-AA wins ... )

Ron Musselman: It's hard to tell. Every time one of them gets a win or two ahead, the other seems to catch up. Joe had the lead after the opening game this year, but now it's dead even again at 374. Right now, there doesn't appear to be an end in sight to this stalemate.

rathskeller: While Daryll is the locked in starter, and deservedly so, do you think that Devlin will get dedicated game action -- more than just mop-up duty?

Ron Musselman: No. Devlin hasn't been in the game in a crucial situation yet, although Joe promised to do so the first week. If Clark continues to play well, Devlin better start packing his bags and looking to transfer. Clark has another year left after this and Devlin already has sat out one season as a redshirt. So if he was a backup again next season, he'd only have one year left. Devlin, however, could transfer to a lower division school after this year and still have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

John_S: Ron, any chance we're going to see some shakeups at the MLB position? Poz, Connor, & Lee are a lot to live up to, but this could be a weak spot come conference play.

Ron Musselman: It could be. it's been hard to get aread on the linebacker play with the first two opponents and we're not going to know much more the next two weeks. Former walk-on Josh Hull has been steady, but I think Chris Colasanti could end up being the starter before the season is finished. Just a hunch from the people I've talked to.

gianluca: What is the biggest area of concern for next year - OL/DB/WR?

Ron Musselman: We are two games into this year. Next year will have to wait.

ari_gold: What/who has been a surprise this season? The defensive depth?

Ron Musselman: Yeah, the depth on defense is very thin right now. You can't lose as many players as Penn State has lost and not eventually get hurt by that. The loss of Sean Lee wa a huge one and with all the other injuries, departures and defection of cornerback Justin King to the NFL, Tom Bradley's unit is doing it with mirrors.

ari_gold: Is there anything at all to be concerned about re: Syracuse? And how have they fallen sooooooooooooo far ...?

Ron Musselman: Syracuse is awful, going just 7-30 under Greg Robinson. It's hard to believe he still has a job. He may not after this game. Penn State should squeeze the Orange by at least three touchdowns.

PSU4BCS: Isn't it a bit harsh to characterize King leaving for the NFL as a "defection"?

Ron Musselman: Not harsh. it just would have been a much better defense had he returned for his senior year. There are lot os people inside the Penn State program who believe King made a mistake by going pro. They didn't think he was ready. Of course, King was injured in his first preseason game and is out for the year with the Rams. I have no problem with King leaving early -- he graduated in 35 months, which is very commendable.

Greg_M: Any chance our QB's possible success this year or next will vault JayPa to another program?

Ron Musselman: It's way too early to answer that question. I don't see Jay Paterno going anywhere, unless of course, his dad's contract isn't renewed at the end of the year. We'll have to see how this season plays out before we can even think about that issue.