After watching that pathetic excuse of a game against Michigan, I think I've given up on Penn State football. The coaching staff is absolutely horrible and to be honest I don't think the team could beat Appalachian State.

If both Appalachian State and Oregon realized the a stretched O was a key to winning against UM, why didn't Joepa use it? Based on the Buffalo and UM games, I suspect our coaches are the problem, but that's another "question."

So tell me why should I bother to follow Penn State football anymore, besides tradition??!!!! I'm far from a fair weather fan but the last 6+ years have taken their toll.

I can take the losing seasons, I take the tough losses but enough is enough. I'm afraid I'll just stop watching them and in time won't care about collegiate football anymore.

So why should I bother watching Penn State anymore?

The 2007 college football season is a third over in most bastions as schools look to wrap up regular-season campaigns by the Thanksgiving holidays if not before.

Professional Handicappers League member Jimmy Boyd notes certain characteristics have emerged as clubs move toward the defining month of October and bowl talk transforms into more than mere speculation.

Boyd espouses pretty much of a what-you-see-is-what-youre-going-to-get attitude though others look down the road and anticipate a few surprises especially some involving what currently are perceived as upper-echelon Top 25 squads -- though there doesnt appear to be much room for alterations at the very top.

USC LSU defending national champion Florida and Oklahoma rule the roost one through four in this weeks USA Today poll although the gambling specific BGS ower Ratings have LSU USC & Oklahoma tied up in the 1 spot with Florida a distant 4th.

Most college observers believe the top 4 arent likely to change.

An alaphabet soup BCS Championship isnt etched in stone by any means but it might not be too early for sponsors of the New Orleans national championship game to line up Campbells as a major sponsor in anticipation of a meeting between the Trojans and Tigers.

Ive said this before and Ill say it again Boyd declared.

Its a top-heavy year in college football.

The teams at or near the top will remain there all season with very few others making surprise runs.

One encounter garnering media attention this weekend is the Friday night Big East affair between No. 5 West Virginia and No. 18 South Florida.

Canadian PHL member Steve Zukiel regards it as the weeks most appealing matchup.

Im very interested Zukiel said.

Wow.

Boyd offered similar sentiments.

West Virginia-South Florida is a very big game in the Big East he said.

The South Florida Bulls won at Auburn to show they could be for real.

They ARE the sleeper pick in the Big East.

West Virginia is never quite as good on the road.

This game either will keep South Floridas hopes of a Big East championship alive or it will keep West Virginias hopes of a national title alive.

After the BCS title tilt the Rose Bowl traditionally draws the most interest among holiday bowl offerings.

Observers hardily have maligned the Big Ten largely because of early-season woes in Ann Arbor.

The current USA Today poll however includes five conference teams among its Top 25: Ohio State Wisconsin Purdue Michigan State and Penn State though Michigan State for example has racked up a 4-0 record against teams such as Notre Dame that pack about as much muscle as Spongebob Squarepants!

Five time World Champion Handicapper and Professional Handicappers League Commissioner Brian Gabrielle has four Big Ten teams among the leading 25 and drops Penn State all the way down to 41st.

He has Michigan State 25th and Michigan 52nd in contrast Zukiel still regards UM as a Top 5 team.

They still can win the Big 10 championship still smell the roses Zukiel said.

Gabrielle has Ohio State ranked fifth nationally Wisconsin ninth and Purdue 17th.

This The BGS Power Ratings takes everything into account not just the results of one game i.e. Michigan over Penn St but all games against all opponents Gabrielle said.

I know Michigan fans are frustrated and looking for something to grab on to but it doesnt help Michigan that Penn State is not a Top 25 team in The BGS Power Ratings so the win really loses luster.

East Coast PHL handicapper Bill Fishman still gives the Wolverines a shot at a cherished Big Ten championship.

I feel Michigan is still a very talented team and one that should be reckoned with for the Big Ten title Fishman said.

Michigan was my top play this week as a dog win over Penn State.

Im still not a huge fan of the Big Ten but Ohio State is quick and talented on defense.

Boyd believes uncertainty surrounding the Midwest loop traditionally among the countrys strongest could actually prove to be a boon as each game takes on added significance.

Theres no doubt the Big Ten is down. he said.

Michigan did what it needed to do to stay in the hunt by taking care of business at home against the Lions.

That win gets them believing again without a doubt.

Wisconsin or Ohio State appears to have the inside track.

Right now it looks like its going to be a sloppy ride.

I dont see anyone running the table and home field advantage in big matchups will be crucial.

Because they may still win the big ten.

because you have faith in them as hard as it is and one loyal fan that makes you! :]

Hey, if that's how you feel, don't bother. It's a damn shame the world doesn't do what you want it to, but there's no guarantees. I've been a Penn State fan since Rip Engle was the head coach & I'll never turn my back on them. Hey, it's a game, not life & death.

Because your a hardcore fan. A real fan that sticks through it, through losing and winning seasons. Not a skin deep fan who is only around when they're winning. Your more than that, your the ultimate of Penn State fans, the ELITE!

Go Gators!

i was wondering the same thing about being a notre dame fan... oh well.

GO MICHIGAN

You'll continue to watch them just like all of us true fans do when our teams suck. That's what makes us fans...call us gluten's for punishment but we are true to who we either grew up with (Denver) and the school we went to (UT) otherwise you'd be considered a fair weather / band wagon jumping fan. I can tell you're neither because of your question. Tradition will win out every time.

We cannot help it when our teams let us down. We can help and not let them down by staying a fan. If you are a true fan you are with them through the good and the bad.
GO BLUE!!!!!!!!
(Michigan fan for over 35 years)

I have no idea why you would ever be a Penn State fan...

Because if you quit on your team during hard times, you were never a fan at all....just a bandwagon jumper

I am a Penn State Graduate! Proud to say so! I agree with you that they should have won against UofM but I have alot of pride for the Nittany Lions! Believe me they should have won and alot had to do with the quarterback and turnovers but the biggest issue is all the teams know that we run the ball alot and we should be on top of our game in passing yards. Running the ball is not the only way to win the game. I wish the coaches would choose to see this instead of dismissing it!
I love Penn State and always will. Even though I question the coaching staff, I have alot of pride for Penn State and the Nittany Lions. It's all in what you believe and feel about the Nittany Lions!