bubs: Outside of Javon Ringer, are the Spartans a one-dimensional team?

Ron Musselman: No, I don't think so. Ringer is a heck of a tailback and is third in the country in rushing with over 1,500 yards and he's scored 20 touchdowns. Brian Hoyer also is a solid QB. Two years ago at Penn State he threw 61 passes in relief of injured Drew Stanton. Last year he tossed four TD passes against the Lions. This year he has nine TDs and six INTs. The Spartans also have a solid defense.

bubs: Does Daryll Clark bounce back in a big way this weekend? What is MSU's defense like?

Ron Musselman: Clark seems to have done an about-face as far as attitude adjustment this week and he intends to bounce back in a big way. Now whether he does or not remains to be seen. I guess we'll know the answer to that question in the first half Saturday. The Lions have been a slow starting team, for sure, with 13 points in the opening quarter in the past six games. Clark needs to hang onto the ball.

Skytop: Hi Ron, Jordon Norwood just doesn't seem to be the same player since he has returned from his hamstring. His production is way down and he has even dropped a few balls. It also seems PSU offense has struggled without Norwood being his former self. is his injury more than has been let on?

Ron Musselman: I agree that Norwood has not been the same receiver since his injury. He hasn't been the same player, but maybe he will finally snap out of it on Senior Day against the Spartans.

bubs: Is it fair to say that this is the biggest game for Penn State football since their last trip to the Rose Bowl? Even during the great 2005 season, they never had this much on the line in a single game.

Ron Musselman: Believe it or not, this will be the first game played in the 48-year history of Beaver Stadium with a championship on the line. It's simple: The Lions win, they earn at least a share of the Big Ten title and their first berth in the Rose Bowl since 1994. If the Spartans win and Ohio State loses to Michigan, Michigan State earns a piece of the crown and goes to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1988.

Snoiler: Since the whole Notre Dame to the Big Ten (11, 12, whatever) has dragged on for so long, is there any chance Pitt might pursue membership. PSU still lacks a strong football rivalry in the Big Ten and as an old-timer (Joe was still the "young" coach when I started there), I do miss the rivalry. The younger alumni and students never experienced it and, therefore, don't really understand what they're missing - and this goes for both schools.

Ron Musselman: A lot of people, me included, would love to see Penn State play Pitt again, but none of us will see it in the Joe Paterno era, barring an unlikely bowl matchup. I don't see Pitt entering the Big Ten, 11 or 12 -- whatever you want to call it -- but I could see Notre Dame joining the conference someday.

Turtle_D: Mike Hull LB from Canon-Mac ... when does he commit to PSU?

Ron Musselman: The Penn State coaches probably hope it is soon. He is considered one of the top prospects in the state in the class of 2010.

Steelers_PSU: Ron, give us a run down of which guys will be playing their last game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. Of those who will be the hardest to replace?

Ron Musselman: Thirteen of the 17 departing seniors are starters. On offense there is record-setting wide receivers Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood, left tackle Gerald Cadogan, left guard Rich Ohrnberger and center A. Q. Shipley. Defensively, there is end Josh Gaines, cornerbacks Tony Davis and Lydell Sargeant, safeties Mark Rubin and Anthony Scirrotto and outside linebacker Tyrell Sales. Record-breaking kicker Kevin Kelly is the other starter.

skytop: I think D. Clark has to get back to running the ball on the edge. Taking away this componet has seemed to slow down the PSU passing attack. Is this by design or is the coaching staff protecting because of the concussions?

Ron Musselman: I agree, Clark has to get back to being aggressive and running the ball. The last three games, Iowa, Ohio State and Indiana have pressured him more than anyone else this season and he has been playing as if he's rattled.

Steelers_PSU: Speaking as a younger alumni, I disagree with Snoiler. Most of us could care less about Pitt. They need the game more than Penn State does.

Ron Musselman: I don't agree. I think Pitt and Penn State should play.

giovanni: Is this Joe's last game at Beaver Stadium?

Ron Musselman: I don't think so, but you never know for sure. His health has not been good this year. It is all going to depend on whether he has any complications from his hip replacement surgery. He plans on coming back and it's had to believe he won't with a 10-1 team heading into the final regular season game.

giovanni: That's quite a list of departing seniors. But it seems like the cupboard is fuller than in many years past?

Ron Musselman: Yeah, but losing three of the most productive receivers in school history and the entire secondary leaves some big holes. The Lions will have to stockpile talent at those positions in order to contend for another Big Ten title next year.

rathskeller: Given that this is a down year for the Big 10, what quality wins does Michigan State have?

Ron Musselman: Michigan State beat Notre Dame 23-7 and got whacked by Ohio State 45-7. No real big wins, but they did beat Iowa 16-13 at home.