bubs: What quarter do you think we see Ciancolo running the offense?

Ron Musselman: Well, seeing that he is the third-string quarterback, I would say it won't be until the fourth quarter. Clark will probably play the first half and a little of the third quarter (depending on the score), Devlin will take over and play into the fourth quarter, then Cianciolo in the last 6 minutes or so. That's my guess right now.

rathskeller: Is there any real reason to watch this game?

Ron Musselman: If you are a Penn State fan, there is. Look at it this way, it can't be any worse than Coastal Carolina, Oregon State or Syracuse, right? I actually think Temple might be the second-best team Penn State has played yet -- Oregon State is better -- although the Owls have not beaten the Nittany Lions since 1941.

POZ: Is the most important thing that can happen this weekend that Penn State doesn't get anyone injured?

Ron Musselman: You can say that any game. Coaches never want their players to get injured. Penn State's starters have been well-rest so far -- most of them have not played after the first half in any of the first three games. The Lions can ill-afford to lose another player from the defensive line. They are so thin in that area, it's unreal.

PSU4EVER: As a Penn State fan, would I be better off watching the Iowa-Pitt game just to scout the Hawkeyes?

Ron Musselman: Well, the Hawkeyes are coach by Upper St. Clair's Kirk Ferentz and they are 3-0, just like Penn State. That should be a much more competitive game than the one that takes place at Beaver Stadium. Penn State's offense figures to roll again. At least it's worth tuning it to watch that unit perform.

not_fade_away: Do you think the Adam Dimichele regrets leaving Penn State to be Temple's QB?

Ron Musselman: Honestly, you'd have to ask him that question, not me. I know he accepted a scholarship offer from Penn State after a decorated career at Sto-Rox High School, but the Nittany Lions wanted him to play defensive back and he didn't want to do it. Penn State wouldn't release him from his scholarship, so he opted to play baseball at a junior college in Florida. But then he got the urge to play football again and landed at Temple.

spearhead: Seriously, is there any reason to be concerned with this game? And do you think that the players are licking their chops to get into conference play?

Ron Musselman: I am sure the players are having a hasrd time not looking past Temple. They will finally play their first ranked opponent next weekend when Illinois visits Beaver Stadium. Penn State lost in Champaign last year, 27-20, to fall to 0-2 in the Big Ten. I am sure the players have revenge on their minds and would like to bottle up the Juice.

JoeD: PSU is off to a fine start, but where do you think PSU will end up in the Big 10?

Ron Musselman: I think Penn State has the talen to make a serious run for the Big Ten title. And Ohio State and Michigan already have losses. But the Lions have not been a good road team in conference play and October finds them visiting Purdue and Wisconsin in back-to-back weeks and date at Ohio State. If they could go 2-1, anything's possible. Then again, Michigan is sandwiched in between those three games at home. But I think this could be the year Penn State finds ends its nin-year losing streak against the Wolverines.

lionsfan67: How much time are Evans and Koroma expected to miss because of 'weed-gate'? Thanks.

Ron Musselman: I think they might sit out a few more games as punishment. We may not see these two back until October. I would expect both of them to get a second chance since this is their first off-the-field incidents. Penn State is going to need these two guys in the lineup once the Big Ten season kicks into full gear.

joe_pa2: How important is it for Koroma and Evans to return to the team to be able to compete for the Big Ten championship?

Ron Musselman: Very important. Evans is the best sack man on the team -- he had 12.5 a year ago and was just 2.5 shy of tying the school record of 15 for a season. Koroma is an up and coming player with a lot of ability.

joe_pa2: How important is it for Koroma and Evans to return to the team to be able to compete for the Big Ten championship?

Ron Musselman: Very important. Evans is the best sack man on the team -- he had 12.5 a year ago and was just 2.5 shy of tying the school record of 15 for a season. Koroma is an up and coming player with a lot of ability.

not_fade_away: It strikes me that the Lions were a bit of an unknown quantity heading into this season; as non-con play comes to a close, they have really shown some flashes of great potential. What are you most surprised by?

Ron Musselman: I knew the offense has a ton of playmakers, but I am surprised by how well the patchwork defense has held together. I mean, how many teams could lose Sean Lee for the year, have two projected starting tackles (Chris Baker and Phil Taylor)kicked off the team, and lose two defensive line starters to suspensions (Abe Koroma and Maurice Evans) and still be thriving. Granted, it will get tougher once the conference seasons starts, but outside linebacker Navorro Bowman is quaitely having a really good season.

lionsfan67: Do you still expect to see Devlin continuing to get a decent number of reps as we get into conference play or will Joe go with Clark until PSU builds a sizeable lead?

Ron Musselman: No, I think Clark will get most of the playing time once the Big Ten season gets under way. However, if he struggles or is ineffective, I don't think the coaches would hesitate to put Devlin in the game to see if he can provide a spark. I think both Clark and devlin had played pretty well so far.