Really late on this. Devon will have a recap up at some point, so I wanted to be sure I got my answers in. He also served up the questions for this week’s bowl edition of the Blue White Round Table.

Here are the usual partners in crime:

W. F. Yurasko
Happy Hour Valley
The Nittany Line
Zombie Nation
Nittany Whiteout
Penn State Clips
2 The Lion

Penn State's two losses came at home in 2009

Missed opportunities and special teams struggles.

I think that pretty much sums up the season for Penn State. The special teams seemed to have cost Penn State their only two “real” games this season and you have to think that if Penn State could just hold on to their early lead against Iowa that we would be looking forward to the Fiesta or Orange Bowl instead of the Capital One Bowl, even with a loss to Ohio State.

2. Though they miss out on a BCS Bowl, the Nittany Lions will face off with a highly ranked SEC opponent in a New Year’s Day bowl.  What are your initial thoughts about the matchup with LSU in the Capital One Bowl?

I like it, and in fact I like it better than a game against Georgia Tech, Boise State, TCU or Cincinnati. I think LSU gives Penn State a chance to represent themselves well against an above average SEC opponent but in the back of my head I am thinking that we could be in for a disappointment to start the new year. Having seen Penn State’s offense go in a shell against Iowa and Ohio State (two of the best defenses in the north) I fear we could see Daryll Clark and company fail to move the ball enough against a defense that held Florida in check this season.

3. When it’s all said and done, where will Daryll Clark rank among Penn State QBs?  What will you remember about Clark thinking back on the 2008 and 2009 seasons a few years from now?

You can not deny his offensive records. The most passing yards and most touchdowns in a season is no small feat, especially considering the names he passed. But I wll ultimately remember Clark as a guy who came up short in the big games. He has no true signature win despite the back to back double digit win seasons. He lost twice to Iowa, once to Ohio State, and was knocked out of the Ohio State win last year, giving the credit to Pat Devlin (ok, and Rubin).He put up good numbers against USC in the second half of the Rose Bowl but it was too little too late.

He does come across as a class act though and for that I will always think back on Clark fondly.

Sean Lee

Without a doubt Sean Lee. I know he will be ok in the NFL but I expected so much more from Lee. This is not his fault though as he was the victim of injury all too often. I can’t help but feel bad for him missing so much playing time. I really wanted to see him go out on top by collecting another Bednarik Award or something. For everything he has gone through, I hope it pays off well in the NFL.

5. What are your feelings on the Fiesta Bowl matching up the two undefeated mid-majors, instead of setting up Iowa-Boise State and Georgia Tech-TCU matchups? Does it support a playoff argument?

Wimps. I smell a conspiracy somewhere in Arizona, and it has nothing to do with Penn State. We watch all season to see a mid-major get a chance at the big boys, and they are paired together at the kid’s table on Thanksgiving.

If this does not support a playoff then I really do not know what will.

Lightning Round:

1. Do either Bowman or Royster (or both!) skip their senior seasons and enter the NFL Draft? Yes. Bowman I would think for sure and with the uncertain state of the NFL rookie salary guidelines that are coming up, now is the best time for Royster to get going with his professional career. I’m not so sure Royster would go high enough in the draft though to make it worth while, if at all.

2. Who wins the MNC Game, Alabama or Texas? Call me crazy, but I’m going with Texas.

A new New Year's Day tradition?

4. Predict the draft stock of the following Nittany Lion seniors:
a) [Bowman/Royster] 2nd round for Bowman, undrafted for Royster
b) Jared Odrick – 3rd round
c) Sean Lee – 2nd/3rd round
d) Andrew Quarless – undrafted
e) Dennis Landolt – 5th/6th round
f) Daryll Clark – 6th/7th round
g) Mickey Shuler – undrafted
h) A.J. Wallace – undrafted

Releated Posts:

1. Kevin’s seat at the Blue White Round Table – Illinois Edition
2. Blue White Round Table – Kevin’s Take on Syracuse
3. Blue White Round Table – Freakin’ Iowa Edition
4. Blue White Round Table – Gopher Edition
5. Blue White Round Table offers cupcakes

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