Ron Musselman: Good morning. Welcome back to our first chat in more than a month. I am coming to you from Orlando, Fla., where Penn State is just wrapping up its final Capital One Bowl practice. The Lions will hold a walk-through tomorrow There were a number of former players at practice today, including Todd Blackledge, who will call Friday's game against LSU for ABC, Tim Johnson, Ki-Jana Carter, Kenny Jackson and Charlie Pittman.

bubs: Ron: I know LSU is a bit removed from the dominant JaMarcus Russell squad of a few years ago, but they aren't a team you can sleep on. Tell me everything I should know about the Tigers heading into Friday ...

Ron Musselman: LSU had a season very similar to Penn State's, losing its two biggest games, in addition to the clock meltdown against Ole Miss. That being said, coach Les Miles is 4-0 in bowl games with the Tigers and they have won the four games by an average of 28.5 points. QB Jordan Jefferson has played better of late but LSU ranks 108th in total offense among 120 Division I-A teams. The Tigers also have lost their top three tailbacks to injuries.

JoePanini: Is Daryll Clark especially keyed up for this game? He's had a fine career as the Lions' signal caller, but nothing quite resembling a signature win, and this is his last chance ...

Ron Musselman: You are right, this is his last chance to finally win a big game. Clark is schedule to meet with the media here in a few hours and he has said publicly that he isn't worried about his legacy. But on his twitter account, he has expressed dismay with those who say he can't win the big game. The last I looked, there were two losses to Iowa, one to USC and another to Ohio State. Clark's signature win to date, I guess, would be Michigan State a year ago. That is the last ranked team he beat. Former backup Pat Devlin got the win in relief at Ohio State in 2008.

PSUmich: Ron, do you see Kevin Newsome getting any snaps in the bowl game?

Ron Musselman: I do not see Kevin Newsome playing much in the Capital One Bowl, unless Clark gets injured, the Lions are winning big or losing big. But I think the coaching staff should play Newsome some against LSU, unless they don't think he will be their starter next season. Newsome needs the work, especially with road games at Alabama, Ohio State and Iowa in 2010. Newsome has not attempted a pass since the Eastern Illinois game Oct. 10. And he had just five carries for 10 yards and a touchdown in the final six games

JoePanini: Also, do you see Clark playing on Sundays in any capacity? How about Sean Lee? Obviously Jared Odrick will (hint, hint, Mike Tomlin!)

Ron Musselman: I think Clark will get a shot at the NFL, but it could be as a late-round pick or as an undrafted free agent. Clark is not highly regarded as an NFL prospect, but he could make a practice squad or being a No. 3 quarterback. As for Odrick, he has been a dominant force and I think he will be a first-round pick. And I see Lee going in the second or third round. It's too bad Lee has injured his knees three times in his career, because it will cost his a lot of money in the draft.

marlo_stanfield: Addressing the gorilla in the room, no Penn State bowl game would be complete without talking about Joe's future ... should we all just acknowledge that the man is going to go out with his black shoes and flood pants on? (and not that that's a bad thing, either)

Ron Musselman: I think you hit the nail on the head. Even with Bobby Bowden being pushed out the door at Florida State, I don't think Joe is going anywhere. I fully expect him to hand around long after securing his 400th win next season. I truly believe what LaVar Arrington told me last year, that Joe would be patrolling the sideline until he takes his last breath.

hines: If I'm not mistaken, this is also Quarless & Schuler's last game? Who do the Lions have waiting in the wings at TE?

Ron Musselman: The Lions have Andrew Szczerba and Mark Wedderburn waiting in the wings. Szczerba had one catch for 6 yards in limited playing time and Wedderburn is the brother, Floyd, was an offensive tackle for the Lions in the late 1990s. He later played in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks.

PSUmich: Assuming Bowman and Royster leave, where do you see next season's squad biggest strengths and weaknesses?

Ron Musselman: If Bowman and Royster both leave, which very well could happen, it would be a pretty big blow. With Bowman gone, Penn State would have to replace its top three linebackers -- Bowman, Josh Hull and Sean Lee. Odrick will be a big loss on the defensive line. Royster's backup is the speedy but unreliable Stephfon Green, so that could be a problem area, especially since Brandon Beachum likely won't make it back in time from an ACL injury to play in 2010.

hines: How's the weather? And the theme parks? ... What's your take on the Big Ten adding another school (or schools)? Who would you like to see them add, and who fits best both academically and athletically? And do you think it will be one or three teams?

Ron Musselman: The weather has been in the 40s a few times, but today it is supposed to be in the 70s. But there's no sense bragging because I have been too busy to enjoy the theme parks. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Big Ten climbed to 14 or 16 teams in the next decade or so. I really believe the Big Ten needs to go to divisions and hold a championship game in order to became a major BCS player.

marlo_stanfield: You really think Royster could leave? Seems like he could use a little more seasoning ... is he projected as a day one pick at this point?

Ron Musselman: Royster is projected as a second or third rounder. I personally don't think he has the breakaway speed to be a feature back in the NFL, but I think he could be a pretty valuable No. 2 guy in the right system. I really do think Royster may leave. He has been frustrated all season long by his offensive line's poor play and he even called it a work-in-progress as late as yesterday. That doesn't sound like a guy who is coming back to me.

bubs: So who then -- Mizzou? Pitt? 'Cuse? All the above?

Ron Musselman: All of those would be good choices. I think Rutgers also could factor in the equation and perhaps even Cincinnati.

marlo_stanfield: Regardless of Friday's outcome, who (besides Newsome) should we be looking for to emerge/breakout in 2010?

Ron Musselman: I think Michael Mauti will be a force at middle linebacker. You may recall he tore his ACL in a preseason scrimmage. Had that not happened, Josh Hull would not have seen the field nearly as much this season. I think wide receivers Curtis Drake and Justin Brown will be solid and I think cornerback Stephon Morris is a rising star. And I think wide receiver Derek Moye will continue to get better and better, along with defensive end Jack Crawford.

hines: Prediction for Friday?

Ron Musselman: I think it will be a good, competitive game. Every time I have had a good feeling about Penn State this year, the Lions have lost. I do not have a good feeling about them this week because of their poor special team's play and LSU's explosive return game, which means they will probably win

Ron Musselman: Thanks again for the great questions this year. I hope all of you have a great New Year's Eve and enjoy the game.