Devon was willing to serve up some spring football themes questions for the Nitts of the Roundtable. I’ll be providing my take on behalf of NittanyWhiteOut.com and Devon will wrap things up tomorrow with highlights from all of the participants. Who are the participants? Allow me to refresh your memory (I’ll update as needed once I know for sure who is playing);

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Big Ten: Who wants in?

1. Big Ten expansion talk is heating back up, with word coming out of an “accelerated timetable.”  We’ll split this question three ways:
a) What should the Big Ten do?

It would seem to me that at this stage of the game the best move for the conference is to go ahead and expand. In doing so they should make a priority out of moving eastward, whether it be to the New York market or a little south toward the nation’s capital. Establishing a presence in New York or D.c. would be beneficial for the TV money of course, but playing in the back yard of the Big East and ACC would be an added bonus, at least in terms of football.

b) What do you want the Big Ten to do?

I want to see the Big Ten become the Big 14, but it sure would be interesting to see the aftermath in college athletics if the conference increased to 16. In my ideal Penn State expansion scenario a Big 14 would consist of Notre Dame, Maryland and Pitt. In my mind an ideal Big 16 would add Syracuse and Nebraska to the previously mentioned schools.

c) What will the Big Ten do?

At the very least one team is going to be added, if that is the case I just hope that it is not Rutgers or Connecticut. Just about any other team mentioned in hypothetical scenarios would make more sense and be more rewarding for the conference. But I really do lean toward the idea that the Big Ten will increase to 14 teams, in which case I think Notre Dame and Rutgers are in. Then take your pick between Missouri, Nebraska, and Pittsburgh. I honestly do not think Syracuse would make the jump out of the Big East.

Make no mistake about it; Kevin Newsome (12) is this year's starting quarterback.

Make no mistake about it; Kevin Newsome (12) is this year's starting quarterback.

2. Back to Penn State: Though Joe Paterno has continued to insist that there is a quarterback competition this spring, in your eyes is there any chance that it isn’t Kevin Newsome under center against Youngstown State next August?

Of course there is, but it will take an injury to make it happen. Newsome was thought to be the starting quarterback against Youngstwon State as early as last season’s game against Akron. I do think though that if Matt McGloin puts on a good showing in the Blue White game that the coaches could start to think about a dual quarterback offense, at least in the beginning of the season.

3. What do you make of Penn State’s current recruiting situation, with no commits as of this Monday before the Blue/White Game while a team like Ohio State already has 9?

I would not get too concerned about so many commitments declaring for elsewhere yet. With a number of recruits set to be on hand Saturday I would expect that a few more verbal commits are added to the total quickly.

4. Aside from the QB situation, what is one aspect of the team you’re going to be looking at closely during the scrimmage this Saturday?

I guess there is reason to monitor the linebackers. With Sean Lee, Navorro Bowman, and Josh Hull all gone there are some big shoes to fill in the middle of the defense. I am also anxious to see how much playing time a guy like Pete Massaro will get coming off a torn ACL in last year’s game.

Lightning Round:
1. Will you be watching the Blue/White Game in person, or on ESPN2? Yes, but I’m recording it so I can watch it when I come home from vacation. Sad? Nah. I call it research.
2. Who will be starting at linebacker come the Youngstown State game? I’m going with Gerald Hodges, Mike Mauti and Nate Stupar for now.
3. Which game will be selected as this year’s night game/White Out, or will there be none? Honestly, no game on the schedule this season is worthy of such hype, but I’m sure it will be the Michigan game.
4. What round will the Penn State players be selected in this year’s draft? Jared Odrick will go in round one, Navorro Bowman and Sean Lee in round two, Dennis Landolt and Daryll Clark in the sixth round. I think Josh Hull has a chance to go late, and Andrew Quarless could find some team willing to take a chance with him as early as the fifth round. A.J. Wallace is seventh round at best.

Releated Posts:

1. Blue/White Roundtable: Blue/White Game Edition
2. Blue/White Roundtable: Y’Town State Edition
3. Blue White Round Table – Gopher Edition
4. Blue White Round Table offers cupcakes
5. Kevin rushes through the Blue White Round Table

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