Gerry Dincher asks: Name a Penn State centric and Michigan State centric item of bric a brac that you’d add to the glorious Land Grant Trophy.
I’d love to see a piece of one of the Old Main Lawn oaks (or
something made out of them) on the Land Grant Trophy. I do have to admit, though, that I’m not versed enough in Michigan State to select an MSU-centric item. Maybe something having to do with basketball or an offensive line touchdown?
Darth Recon asks: What is the second most attractive trophy in all the land? (Obviously the Land Grant occupies numerous uno. Obviously.)
The Big Ten has the best trophies, and I’m not sure it’s close. I do like Paul Bunyon’s axe and the Old Oaken Bucket, but there is something to be said about Floyd of Rosedale.
chulupabatman asks: Harder groan?
That toe tap TD last week, although in a lost season, had been a chance for a top 5 upset
OR
AO dropping that game-sealing pick vs an unranked (I believe?) MSU with 90 seconds left that hit him in the chest between the numbers in 2018 that went on to result in our loss 60 seconds later in a season we only had one loss to that point?
My choice is the 2nd one as we still had a lot to play for up to that point in the season.
Definitely in 2018. We had a lot more to play for, to your point, and even though last week was still a loss – it was on the back of an absolutely insane catch, and the team played MUCH better than most predicted. If we can build on that, we can have a strong end to this otherwise forgettable (on the field) season.
Nittpicker asks: Is DE, Mylachi Williams still on the team? With Chaz Campbell missing the Indy game, you would think Williams would get a few snaps to give DDS a breather? Nope.
This is a great question. It’s interesting – only four defensive ends and four defensive tackles saw time on Saturday, which is a smaller rotation than we’ve seen in a while. And three of those four are right-side ends, so that means one was playing out of position with Campbell out – instead of inserting Williams. Luckily, it sounds like we’ll get Chaz back this week, but it is certainly something to ponder. But overall, I feel the defense played better than they had in a number of weeks last week (especially against a very good, if not great, Indiana offense), so maybe it was a good decision?
PSU1979dude asks: What would PSU’s signing class likely have been ranked had Franklin stayed and we finished the season 6-6? As in, coach stays the same and most recruits don’t decommit like they did after Franklin was carefronted. Was this class trending to be one of Franklin’s best?
It was not trending to be one of Franklin’s best. As of early September, the class was #10 in the talent composite; that’s not bad, but that’s not great. I don’t recall that there was a single five-star in the class, and so much can hinge on that calibre of recruit. Who knows how the class would have ended (and who knows how many more blue chips the nine teams in front of PSU would have signed), but at least on paper, it looks like it was shaping up to be a good but not elite class.
sundog21 asks: Today on the McAfee show AQ Shipley endorsed Brian Daboll for head coach at Penn State. Said he’s an offensive genius who’s coached with Bill Belichick and as offensive coordinator at Alabama under Nick Saban.
Could Daboll be a serious candidate for the job?
Who knows, besides Pat Kraft? He could seriously be thinking outside the box. I don’t necessarily think it would be a good idea, though he does have ties to Penn State so would take the culture quite seriously. I’m always a little leery of a pro coach who hasn’t spent much time at the collegiate level – and in his 28-year career, Daboll only spent four years coaching in the NCAA – and three of those were as a volunteer or grad assistant. He does have a ring as the offensive coordinator of Alabama, though, and I would like to have some better offense, whomever is our next head coach.
I’d not be incredibly excited if he was the next head coach, but I wouldn’t hate it either. I likely could talk myself into being ok with it.
ohpa asks: There are tons of posts about the HC opening and tons of comments. Am I the only one who would like to see Terry Smith get a shot? Would you and everyone else freak out if Terry was named HC?
You probably are one of the few. I really like Coach Smith – he seems like a good person, and he’s been a great representative for our University. But I just want someone as our head coach with more upside than that – I’d prefer someone with head coaching experience (I’ve come more around on the idea of Brian Hartline as perhaps the only exception to that). I am incredibly thankful for what he’s done the last few weeks, and what he will do through the end of the season, and I hope he’ll be tangentially involved in the university somehow. But not as the head coach – I would undoubtedly freak out. He’d probably be plan H or I.
DmitriPetrovich asks: Mock Draft Szn is nearly here. Which current Nittany Lion will have the most illustrious NFL career?
Frontrunners:
Dani Dennis-Sutton
Nick Singleton
Kaytron Allen
Drew Allar
Vega Ioane
Zane Durant
AJ Harris
Zakee Wheatley
Sleepers:
Daryus Dixon
Cooper Cousins
Trebor Pena
Luke Reynolds
Koby Howard
Lavar Arrington Jr.
Zion Tracy
Chaz Coleman
Vyan Kemajou
Tony Rojas
King Mack
Gabe Nwosu
I think Allen, Wheatley, Coleman, Reynolds, and Rojas are probably the most likely, in no particular order amongst that group. Allen and Wheatley have been the most consistent players on their opposing sides of the ball this year, and we’ve certainly missed both Coleman and (especially) Rojas since they’ve been out. Reynolds has some of the most upside in skill position players that we have on the team this year, and while he’s been inconsistent, the flashes are there – and he is only a sophomore. Plus, he has that fake punt on his game tape that will always impress me.
Gerry Dincher asks: What was the configuration of Beaver Stadium for your first game at the stadium? Do you remember where you sat? If so where was it?
What was the configuration of the stadium in 1980, when I was in utero at most of the games at the Beav? I’m pretty sure that the horseshoe closed either that year or the next, and if it was the next that means that the enclosure of the stadium is the same age as I am. I have no idea what my first game was, and even my mother (who I had to tag in to assist) has no clue as I’ve been to far too many to count over the years.
I don’t remember the stadium before the north end zone got its upper deck, but I do have distinct memories of walking around the walkway on the south endzone before the most recent renovations and expansion of the south upper deck. The best change in a number of years, though, has got to be the new escalators that rolled out last year – especially now that we’re getting up there in age.
It’s been a wild ride!
Tener209 asks: Bringing my kids (6 & 8) to their first ever college football game/Penn State game against Nebraska. What are the must do’s for the kids in State College prior to kickoff.
Side question, is it frowned upon to leave them with my wife for 5 minutes so I can duck into The Phyrst and do a quick Irish Car Bomb for Ye Olde State?
I was asked this earlier in the season, and it’s tougher this time of year considering it’s colder. But definitely hit the creamery; and if you’re in town the night before, the Nittany Lion womens volleyball team is hosting Michigan State, which should be a good time. That also would give you an excuse to take photos by the lion shrine at night, which is always a blast (even if you’re sober).
And the car bomb would be fine as long as you grab a roadie for her too!
barneyk asks: I know this is MSU week, which is defined based on the football opponent. How excited are you that this is also OU week, the start of the wrestling season?
I’m SO excited. My preview will have posted before this one does, and it’s going to be a great wrestling season. There’s a ton of great storylines to follow if you’re a wrestling fan, and there’s records to break…again. Plus, the Nittany Lions host the Big Ten tournament this year! We only have one senior starting this season, so in addition to this year, we’ve got a lot of exciting youths and past and future all-Americans redshirting. As always, it’s a great day to be a Nittany Lion.
LTFT5 asks: Kevin Hart:
A) I find him hilarious and can’t get enough of him
B) I like him but dang, he’s kind of overexposed, I’m tired of seeing him in every other commercial and movie
C) Can’t stand him
D) Don’t care, do better and respect the mailbag and ask better questions
Sort of D? I really do not care about him one way or the other (though I find his obvious short man syndrome hilarious, more so than his bits). But I also don’t judge you for asking this question, because why not? It’s a fine question, albeit one that I can’t come up with a real creative answer for.
Tmbgiants_3 asks: Have you watched Chad Powers on HULU, yet? If so, thoughts?
I found it enjoyable…if unbelievable.
Not yet. It’s tough to watch any tv during the fall, with football and volleyball (and more writing on BSD) taking up more of my time. The next month will be even crazier, since basketball has already starting and wrestling starts this weekend; it’ll calm down some after Thanksgiving, thankfully.
Maybe that’ll be what I do over the holidays, when I’m not watching bowl games and Hallmark movies! I do like Glen Powell, if not as much as his adorable puppy.
48-14 asks: Cari, your dedication to all things Penn State, and your honesty and plainspoken candor in the Mailbag puts you at the top of the BSD class.
1. How long have you been writing for BSD?
2. Please share a favorite memory or two from dealing with this motley crew?
3. How many marriage proposals have you received in the Mailbag?
Thank you so much for the kind words – they mean more than you know.
- I’ve been on staff for around 15 years – I can’t remember if I started in 2010 or 2011, prior to the scandal. I’m thinking 2010, but time flies when you’re having fun…I became an assistant editor a few years later, and then co-managing editor a few years after that. I stepped back down a couple years ago as it was becoming quite a lot – but I do still enjoy writing and the community!
- One of my favorite memories is not really about this crew, but instead when I was at a bar in DC getting ready to watch a game with one of my best friends. They were whispering, and she told one of them something to the effect of “Yeah, that’s Cari from BSD” and it spread around the table like a game of telephone. It was super weird, but flattering, and she loves retelling that story.
Honestly, practically any time I’ve been able to meet and hang out with BSD folks in real life has been the highlight. One of the other funniest times was when I was at that same bar (for the USC Rose Bowl in 2017, perhaps?) and kept seeing a dude just staring at me and the same aforementioned friend. It was a while, and borderline creepy – and it ended up being Astrolion, who became a regular at our bar table and has come to many of our tailgates too. Decidedly far less creepy than it started out! 🙂
- I’ve gotten none, and I’m more than ok with that, thanks. I’ve gotten far more public haters than the opposite, and I’ll take that as a win. Gotta spin it and keep the morale up somehow!
EagleLionSly asks: With the regular cast of characters that contribute to this site & the ease that they can be taken down a side subject that has nothing to do with the original post they are commenting on. If they were script writers. What type of show would they be writing.
Comedy, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Adventure I can see it all.
I’d be more interested in finding out what types of shows or movies every community member themselves would want to be writing – or think they would be, if not want!
Personally, I’d love to be writing either romantic comedies (hard R ratings, naturally) or high fantasy, which is my favorite genre to read so why not craft a show along the same vein. What about you all?
LTFT5 asks: What toppings are on Cari Greene’s perfect pizza?
This is tough, because I definitely don’t have a go-to pizza and nothing is perfect. The only toppings of pizza that I wouldn’t like are pineapples and anchovies, and I’d prefer no green peppers (they’re weird to me when they’re warm). But absent that, I can find value in any pizza; I’d typically get white over regular tomato-based sauce, unless I have a craving or am eating chicago-style or deep dish. I love a topping-heavy pizza as well, but a plain pizza with extra cheese also has its place!
Heck, I’d even take an english muffin pizza if offered most days, and now I’m thinking about getting those fixings to make them myself. Thanks for that memory!
