Ron Musselman: Welcome back to University Park, Pa. It has finally quit raining here, but it is still very windy and cold. Let's get to the questions. I am sure there are a lot after Saturday's 21-10 loss to Iowa in which the Hawkeyes scored the last 21 points and dominated both sides of the ball.

bubs: Give me your analysis of what went wrong Saturday.

Ron Musselman: How many hour to you have? Just kidding, of course, But Penn State was outplayed in every aspect of the game. The blocked punt was inexcusable, along with the safety. That doesn't even factor in Daryll Clark's three interceptions and Evan Royster's fumble in the fourth quarter. Penn State had that only big play, the 79-yard yard pass to Chaz Powell on its first play from scrimmage and that was about it for the offense. Penn State is still struggling to run the ball between the tackles and I think the defensive line got pushed around pretty good, which was kind of surprising. It's pretty obvious Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes have Joe's number, as evidenced by their 7-2 record since 1999.

oldmain: As a PSU fan, why should I be excited about the rest of this season?

Ron Musselman: Wow, that's a good question. I don't think there's any reason to pack in the season just yet. I think we'll have a much better handle on what path this team is going to take after the game at Illinois Saturday. This will be the third time in five years the Lions have gone to Champaign following their first loss. They won there in 2005 and finished 11-1, but lost in 2007 and went 9-4. Penn State needs to get its offense in gear and needs to make dramatic improvement on all of the special teams to have a strong finish. Those are two of of major concern right now.

oldmain: In your mind, how long will it take for the line to gel so the running game can open up?

Ron Musselman: Well, it's anyone's guess, We have been waiting for a month now and still not much progress. The shuffling will continue again this week. Nerraw McCormach is expected to replace DeOn'tae Pannell ar right tackle Saturday and Johnnie Troutman took over for Matt Stankiewitch at left guard two games ago. There are just three starters left up front -- center Stefen Wisniewski, left tackle Dennis Landolt and right guard Lou Eliades. Wisniewski and Landolt are both playing new positions and Wisniewski has struggled mightily on his snaps to Daryll Clark in the shotgun formation .

oldmain: Is Fran Ganter still in the athletic department? Any chance that he could be a surprise choice to be the next PSU head coach when JoePA retires in 2020?

Ron Musselman: Fran Ganter still is here as the associate athletic director for football administration. He had some great offenses in his time as the coordinator, including that prolific group in 1994 led by Kerry Collins, Ki-Jana Carter and Kyle Brady, but he is not interested in coaching anymore. All of the current offensive coaches are going to have to bang their heads together and come up with a way to get this unit playing better. Daryll Clark is still a good quarterback and Evan Royster is a solid runner. They just need some operating room. And Derek Moye and Chaz Powell also look like they could be very good receivers before the year is out.

oldmain: What are the chances we see Stephon Green take on a Mike Archie-like role out of the backfield? Catching passes, running off tackle and utilizing his natural gifts?

Ron Musselman: Stephfon Green needs to get untracked as a runner before he worries about catching the ball. Since having surgery after the Rose Bowl last year, he has looked very tentative and his numbers aren't great as Royster's backup -- 24 carries for 70 yards -- a 2.9 average. He has three catches for 37 yards, a 12.3 average.

Marlo: Does Penn State miss Sean Lee THAT much?

Ron Musselman: Yes, Penn State does miss Lee a lot. He is the leader of the defense. The word is he will not play again Saturday due to a sprained left knee, which is not good news for the defense. Lee was the leading tackler until getting hurt, despite missing last season with a torn ACL in his right knee. The Lions need Lee back in there as quickly as possible. He is a playmaker.

oldmain: For the past several years, PSU has had respectable draft classes. Do you think the guys being brought in are progressing quickly enough? I see schools like Ohio State, Florida, USC and Notre Dame where freshmen and sophomores are key pieces to its success.

Ron Musselman: Well, Penn State has used eight true freshmen so far this year and some of them look like they could be pretty good. Some of the impressive ones so far have been safety Gerald Hodges, cornerback Stephon Morris, wide receivers Justin Brown, Curtis Drake and Devon Smith and defensive end Sen Stanley. Of course, backup quarterback Kevin Newsome is a true freshman, too, although he has seen just mop-up duty.

vecchio: Clearly, even during the best of times, the Lions can't beat Iowa. But they can beat Ohio State. Is that game now the key to the season?

Ron Musselman: I think that could be a big game as long as Penn State can right the ship. Before Ohio State, the Lions have to find a way to win at Michigan, which won't be easy, and they play at Northwestern the week after that. They shouldn't have any trouble with the Wildcats, but the Lions are a different team on the road than at home. I think Penn State should handle Illinois, which lost to Ohio State 30-0 last week, but the Lions are just 3-6 in its last nine Big Ten openers.

oldmain: Why is the Big Ten seemingly falling behind of every major conference these days? 10 years ago, it was very strong.

Ron Musselman: It's simple. The Big Ten just doesn't win any big games. I mean the three preseason favorites have all struggled. Ohio State's defense buckled at home late in the game and lost to USC, and the Buckeyes barely beat Navy. Penn Staqte lost to Iowa yet again and Michigan State is a disaster. That loss to Central Michigan is tough to take. It's a Mid-American Conference school, for goodness sake.

oldmain: With Lee likely out against Illinois, does it make sense to sit him next week against Division I-AA Eastern Illinois, too?

Ron Musselman: Yeah, makes sense to me. I would risk injuring him anymore for a game against a team like that. Penn State could beat Eastern Illinois with you at quarterback or linebacker, oldmain Just kidding. But it would be a pretty easy win.

vecchio: Also, is Michigan now in the Big 12? I thought that was the conference for teams that score at will but have no defense?

Ron Musselman: I am not surprised that Michigan is playing better under Rich Rodriguez. Granted, the Wolverines easily could have lot to Indiana last week, but I think they will finish in the top three of the Big Ten. That's a lot better than where the Wolverines ended up last year.

oldmain: What are you hearing about the 2010 recruiting class? Top 10 potential?

Ron Musselman: I have a story posted on PG-plus today about that very topic. ESPN's Scouts Inc. rates the Lions' 2010 class No. 7. By the way, there are five Western Pennsylvania kids who have made verbal commitments for next year.

oldmain: Why does Tom Bradley run such a soft pass coverage? I know Stanzi didn't light up the D, but it seemed like their receivers were very open every time. Noticed that a lot in against Temple, 'Cuse and Akron, too. It was even played that way in the Rose Bowl. I know the DBs are inexperienced, but that wasn't the case last year.

Ron Musselman: Penn State wasn't getting very much pressure up front, so that made it difficult for the defensive backs to stay with their coverage. That being said, I am not sure how good the secondary really is. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

oldmain: Why is JoePA always yelling at Mike McQuery?

Ron Musselman: I guess he doesn't have anything better to do on the sideline. Really, I have no idea. Maybe he is trying to send in a play or disagreeing with something one of McQueary's receivers did.

oldmain: September 4, 2010...PSU is scheduled to open with Youngstown State and Pitt with New Hampshire...any chances PSU & Pitt buyout those opponents and play each other to kickoff the season?

Ron Musselman: Never happen. Not as long as Joe is in charge.

oldmain: Any more talk of adding another team to the Big 10? Any chance we snag a Boston College, Texas Tech or Syracuse?

Ron Musselman: I haven't heard anything for awhile about Big Ten expansion.

oldmain: Indiana has legit team this year: Fact or fiction?

Ron Musselman: Fiction. I won't believe it until the Hoosiers actually beat someone. Here's a better question: What is better right now -- Indiana football or basketball?

Ron Musselman: Hey, guys, thanks for all the great questions. I will see you back here next week.