TATTOO: Northeastern Huskies vs Syracuse Orange

Welcome to this weeks Team Against Team: Trivia and Obscure Observations (TATTOO). First we had the Sox and Yanks. Then we had the Pats and GMen. And now competing for the TATTOO are the Northeastern Huskies and the Syracuse Orange. This weeks TATTOO reflects the latest in Boston vs NY:

Born on Date

NE: 1898 vs SU: 1870

Ottos Edge: SU... they were founded as the Evening Institute for Younger Men at the YMCA. In 1922 it was renamed the Northeastern University of the Boston Young Men's Christian Association. Then it was changed to its current name in 1935. It wasn't until 1948 that it completely separated from the YMCA.

GPS (Location)

NE: Boston vs SU: Syracuse

Ottos Edge: SU... you have to be wicked retahded to like Boston. NE is in the Fenway-Kenmore section of the city.

Type of School

NE: Private vs SU: Private

Ottos Edge: SU... NE is primarily a commuter school, which is unprivate like

Edumacation

NE: 96th vs SU: 53rd

Ottos Edge: SU... I am pretty shewah higher is better

School known for

NE: Co-Op/Internship Program vs SU: Newhouse

Ottos Edge: SU... they place about 5k students annually with employers in Boston. Students alternate periods of study with periods of paid employment related to their major.

Zero Point Zero (alumnus that didn't graduate)

NE: Shawn Fanning (founded Napster) vs SU: Lou Reed

Ottos Edge: NE... music should be free

School Paper

NE: Huntington News vs SU: DO

Ottos Edge: SU... their paper was founded in 1926 as the NE News. The paper went indy in 2008 and changed the name.

School Colors

NE: Red and Black vs SU: Orange

Ottos Edge: SU... just because

Mascot

NE: Paws vs SU: Otto

Ottos Edge: SU... Paws is a live mascot. The first husky was named King Husky and had an honorary degree. King Husky VII passed away in 1989 and there was no mascot until the arrival of Paws in 2003.

Team Name

NE: Huskies vs SU: Orange

Ottos Edge: NE... Otto is kinda Husky himself

1st year FB

NE: 1932 vs SU: 1889

Ottos Edge: SU... nearly 50 years better

All Time Wins

NE: 284 vs SU: 670

Ottos Edge: SU... a lot more

HC record at current school

NE: Rocky Hager 15-31 vs SU: GRob 7-31

Ottos Edge: NE... he has more Ws. How bizah that they are tied in Ls. Loser takes the lead.

Division

NE: FCS Vs SU: FBS

Ottos Edge: NE... their champ is decided on the field

Conference

NE: Colonial Athletic Association vs SU: BE

Ottos Edge: NE... I dont think SU could beat a Colonial team in FB or BBall this year. Before 2005 NE was in the A10 for FB and America East for other sports. When they moved to the CAA for all sports the A10 FB died. CAA absorbed the A10 FB teams.

Conf Titles

NE: 1 (2002 A-10 Co-Champ) vs SU: 4

Ottos Edge: SU... we play real teams

For instance...

Last time played at UConn

NE: won 35-27 (2000) vs SU: lost 30-7

Ottos Edge: NE... ok maybe that was a bad example. We have never won at UConn

Lets try…

Team played most

NE: Rhode Island 55 (25-28-2) vs SU: PSU 69

Ottos Edge: NE... their series is a lot closer

The players that made up the teams…

DE

NE: Sean Jones vs SU: Dwight Freeney

Ottos Edge: SU… that’s Sean Jones of the Raiders, Oilers, and Pack

TE

NE: Dan Ross (former Bengal) vs SU: John Mackey

Ottos Edge: SU... Ross set SB records for TEs when he had 11 catches for 104 yards and 2 TDs.

No one, and I mean no one, comes into our house and pushes us around (Home Field)

NE: Parsons Field (7K) vs SU: Dome

Ottos Edge: SU... we will likely only have 7K for this game. They share their field with the Brookline HS FB team

Arena

NE: Boston Arena (Matthews Arena) vs SU: War Memorial

Ottos Edge: NE... the arena is the original home of the Broons, Seltz, and Whalers. As well as the Beanpot Tournament. It is the oldest surviving hockey arena in the world, opening in 1910. In 1979 it was renamed after NE alumnus George Matthews, who helped fund its refurbishment.

Speaking of hockey...

Sport with Sticks

NE: Hockey vs SU: Lax

Ottos Edge: SU... we have 10 titles in our sport. In the 80s NE won the Beanpot Tournament 4 times and was runner up twice. In 1982 they made it to the Frozen Four.

Other sports…

BBall Coach

NE: Dave Leitao is alumnus vs SU: JB

Ottos Edge: SU... he is a Husky Squared

Athletes of note

NE: Carlos Peña, Reggie Lewis vs SU: Dave Bing, Melo

Ottos Edge: SU… two BBall greats

Rowing

NE: usually Top 10 vs SU: long history

Ottos Edge: Push… I don’t know enough to pick a winner

Sports Media

NE: Michelle Bonner, Dan Orsillo (NESN/SOX) vs SU: Mike Tirico, Joe Castiglione (Sox radio), and all

Ottos Edge: SU... we have had some good ones

McDonough

NE: Will vs SU: Sean

Ottos Edge: NE… father comes first

Speaking of fathers…

FB Founder

NE: George Matthews (helped create USFL, owned Boston Breakers) vs SU: Al Davis (helped create AFL, owns Raiders)

Ottos Edge: SU... the AFL was a tad better

From Sports founders to…

Business

NE: Robert Black (founder Black & Decker), Robert Davis (founder Lycos) vs SU: Arthur Rock (provided capital to start Intel), David Rockwell (founder Rockwell Group)

Ottos Edge: NE… tools (power and web search) rule

JFK, Teddy, and Bill Clinton (no this has nothing to do with a Hollywood star and going to town, nor a car and watching one drown, nor a cigar and a dirty gown)

NE: commencement speakers vs SU: commencement speakers

Ottos Edge: Push... they also had Michael Dukakis, Mikhail Gorbachev, Madelein Albright, Bill Richardson, Christine Todd Whitman, Tip ONeill, Coretta Scott King, and Henry Cabot Lodge all speak at commencement.

Many of those were politicians…

Poly Sci Prof

NE: Michael Dukakis vs SU: Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Ottos Edge: NE... he has more to talk about like Dukakis in the tank

Dem VP Candidate Connection

NE: Hadassa Lieberman (Joey's wife) vs SU: Joe Biden

Ottos Edge: SU… unless he loses and then it goes to NE (since Gore/Lieberman at least won the popular vote)

Speaking of elected office...

Scranton

NE: Patrice ONeal (on Office) vs SU: GMac (could be Mayor of Scranton)

Ottos Edge: SU… as well as Mayor of the Cuse

Sticking with NBC...

Comedian

NE: Jane Curtin (SNL) vs SU: Jerry Stiller (Seinfeld)

Ottos Edge: SU... that was a great show

As was…

Flavor Flav

NE: Jennifer Toof (Toastee) vs SU: Tiffany (New York is from Syracuse)

Ottos Edge: NE… she downs drinks like water out of the bubblah

Since Toastee often gets drunk, you want to make sure you take her...

Khakis

NE: what you staht the cah with vs SU: pants

Ottos Edge: SU… most annoying accent

Sticking with transportation…

Getting around

NE: Orange Line of T runs by campus, have underground tunnels linking 13 campus buildings vs SU: Centro and snow shoes

Ottos Edge: NE… underground tunnels sure beat snow tunnels

And finally the category of the week…

I love the 80s (aka oh yeah I remember him)

NE: DE Keith Willis (1978-81) vs SU Terry Wooden (1986-89)

Ottos Edge: NE… Willis played for the Steelers in the 80s

And the TATTOO goes to....

The Syracuse Orange as they win one that is tighter than it should be.

Its Back!

The 2nd Annual: Who will be SUs HC next year. This year we will do it World Cup Soccer style instead of NCAA Bracket Style.

Group A
Al Davis
Dennis Green
John Reagan
Phil Fulmer- assuming he is fired

Group B
Al Golden
Dick MacPherson
John Robinson
Ralph Friedgen- assuming he is fired

Group C
Al Groh- assuming he is fired
Dirk Koetter
John Tenuta
Randy Edall

Group D
Barry Alvarez
Don Brown
June Jones
Ron Turner

Group E
Barry Switzer
Doug Marrone
KC Keeler
Sean McDonnell

Group F
Bill Callahan
Ed Orgeron
Kevin Gilbride
Skip Holtz

Group G
Bill Cowher
Ed Wrinner
Kevin Rogers
Sonny Lubick

Group H
Bill Parcels
Frank Solich
Kirk Ferentz- assuming he is fired
Steed Lobotzke

Group I
Bob Davie
Gary Barnett
Lane Kiffin
Steve Logan

Group J
Brad Childress- assuming he is fired
Gary Crowton
Larry Coker
Steve Mariucci

Group K
Brent Venables
George Deleone
Larry Johnson
Steve Sarkisian

Group L
Brian Kelly
George Oleary
Lloyd Carr
Ted Cottrell

Group M
Brian Schottenheimer
Glen Mason
Lou Holtz
Terry Bowden

Group N
Bud Foster
Greg Robinson
Mark Whipple
Tim Lewis

Group O
Calvin Magee
Gregg Brandon
Marty Mornhinweg
Tim Murphy

Group P
Charlie Strong
Hal Mumme
Marty Schottenheimer
Tim Walton

Group Q
Chip Kelly
Howard Schnellenberger
Mike Ditka
Todd Graham

Group R
Chris Palmer
Jeff Bower- not related to Jack
Mike Gottfried
Tom Bradley

Group S
Chris Petersen
Jerry Grey
Mike Locksley- last years winner
Tom Clements

Group T
Chuck Amato
Jerry Kill
Mike Price
Tom Coughlin

Group U
Dan McCarney
Jim Boeheim
Mitch Browning
Tom Obrien

Group V
Dan Mullen
Jim Fassel
Norm Chow
Tommy Bowden- assuming he is fired

Group W
Darrell Hazell
Jimmy Johnson
Pat Shurmur
Turner Gill- ironically he was left out last year due to strong Nebraska rumors

Group X
Daryl Gross
John Heacock
Patrick Nix
Ty Willingham

Group Y
Dave Clawson
John Hufnagel
Paul Hackett
Walt Harris

Group Z
Denis Franchione
John L Smith
Paul Pasqualoni
Will Muschamp

Below are their Bios

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Davis

http://owlsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/golden_al00.html

http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1150957&SPSID=88794&SPID=10606&DB_OEM_ID=17800

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Alvarez

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Switzer

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=31071

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cowher

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Parcells

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Davie_(coach)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Childress

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=80

http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kelly_brian00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Schottenheimer

http://www.hokiesports.com/staff/foster.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_Magee

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Strong

http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=803271

http://www.giants.com/team/coach.asp?coach_id=23

http://www.broncosports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9900&ATCLID=578844

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Amato

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_McCarney

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Mullen

http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87747&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1059432&Q_SEASON=2008

http://www.suathletics.com/info/bio.asp?staffid=283

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Clawson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Franchione

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Green_(football_coach)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_MacPherson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirk_Koetter

http://umassathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brown_don00.html

http://www.neworleanssaints.com/Team/Staff/People/Doug%20Marrone.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Orgeron

http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/warinner_ed00.html

http://ohiobobcats.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/solich_frank00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Barnett

http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=748627&Q_SEASON=2008

http://owlsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/deleone_george00.html

http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/oleary_george00.html

http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=38607&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=263402&Q_SEASON=2006

http://www.suathletics.com/Sports/Football/2005/robinsonbio.asp

http://bgsufalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brandon_gregg00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Mumme

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Schnellenberger

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Bower

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Gray

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Kill

http://www.suathletics.com/roster.asp?playerid=1087&sport=176&roster=194

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Fassel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Johnson_(American_football_coach)

http://www.ysu.edu/sports/football/coaches/heacock.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hufnagel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_L._Smith

http://kansas.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?coach=559&Sport=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Robinson_(football_coach)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Tenuta

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Jones

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._C._Keeler

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Gilbride

http://www.vikings.com/TeamCoachProfile_Kevin_Rogers.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk_Ferentz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lane_Kiffin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Coker

http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/johnson_larry00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lloyd_Carr

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Holtz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Whipple

http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/CoachBios.asp?coach_id=2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marty_Schottenheimer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Ditka

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Gottfried

http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/locksley_mike00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Price

http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=38607&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=263406&Q_SEASON=2006

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norm_Chow

http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/CoachBios.asp?coach_id=13

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Nix

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Hackett

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Pasqualoni

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Fulmer

http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/friedgen_ralph00.html

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/SPORTS/MFootball/Coaching/fbccoachbio.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Turner_(football_coach)

http://www.unhwildcats.com/index.cfm?id=138B4586-02C2-033D-77532DE515603DF3&profile=1389758A-0846-31F1-81F1E52F17CB4BD7

http://ecupirates.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/holtz_skip00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Lubick

http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/lobotzke_steed00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Logan_(football)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Mariucci

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Sarkisian

http://www.chargers.com/team/coaches/ted-cottrell.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Bowden

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Lewis

http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9000&ATCLID=649072

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/walton_tim00.html

http://tulsahurricane.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/graham_todd00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Bradley_(American_football)

http://www.packers.com/team/coaches/clements_tom/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Coughlin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_O'Brien_(football_coach)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Bowden

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turner_Gill

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrone_Willingham

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Harris

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Muschamp

King Ottos Konclusion

So I actually watched the game a second time. Well most of it. The NYC ABC switched right after the SU TD with 1 min left in the 3rd Q. They went to Oregon vs Purdue. So I got to fast forward to the end and see an awful FG atempt by Purdue as time expried. And then in the 2nd OT another one. The recording ended perfectly after that game. What didnt go perfectly was the SU game, unless you are a Penn St fan.

HC
There werent really many decisions that GRob had to make. He went for it on 4th downs instead of kicking meaningless FGs.

OC
Too conservative. I wanted to give MB the benefit of the doubt his first few games but this game he didnt show much. The first play after the TO was tailor made for a play action pass toward the endzone. Instead we got what looked like a screen that turned into a fumble. Unless he wanted CB to throw it there. Either way bad call. The rest of the half wasnt so bad. Too many runs into the line though. PSU is physically a better team. Yet MB was conservative and showed little imagination. If the players did a better job then it wouldnt have looked as bad. However we really needed to spread it out to have any chance. The half ended with awful play calling. Again after a turnover and little time left in the half (down 35-3) we are running the ball and content on playing for 3. I had higher hopes for MB than he has shown so far as an OC. I do have to give him credit for the OL. He had Chavers and a true Frosh on the OL and was able to keep Dantley upright for the most part.

DC
The problem I have here for this game was who played and when. Giruzzi time and again fails to make plays. He isnt holding his position on run plays. So if he isnt physically getting the job done then why arent we seeing a youngin? We did see much more of Marinovich this game. Hopefully Giruzzi will be phased out. However in garbage time we still saw him in there. Derrell Smith has been our best LB. Yet he was out for a bunch of plays as Canty was worked in. Why not Mele instead? Then there is Flaherty who shouldnt be on the field. Why not try Stenclik who flashed in limited time last year? Then in the 2nd half with the game already over we see AJ Brown and Chiara. Why take out Scott and why not play Suter? What good is having SRs play garbage time?

STs
We cant block on KRs this year. And we cant cover on KOs. The first is a problem since we have so many. The other not so much since we rarely KO.

QBs
Dantley was bad. He made some nice throws but also made some really bad ones. He had a RJ Anderson type of game.

RBs
That dropped lateral by CB killed.

WRs/TEs
Owen had a nice catch and a big drop. I thought Davis looked good and gives us hope. Same for Sales. Mayes got PT and made a decent catch. Lobdell needs to sit. He adds nothing.

OL
They couldnt run up the middle but that was expected. Pass protection has been good this year. The group is still young.

DL
Kimmel was overmatched. Giruzzi shouldnt be out there. DTs had their moments with Jones and Perkins.

LBs
Flaherty needs to sit. He is too slow. He is too tentative. He makes plays 6 yards down field even if unblocked. Mele showed signs last year in pass coverage. Yet he is playing inside while Smith plays over the slot. Makes sense. Smith though did make some nice plays in coverage. Canty got in as well but didnt notice him bad or good.

DBs
Should Nico Scott have even played? The early PSU TD said no. Graham has potential but his first PT is against PSU? Really? Holmes is having trouble making plays this year. I liked seeing Scott at SS. But he sat in the 2nd half for AJ Brown. Makes sense. Bruce played decent and made some plays. Then he sits for Chiara in the 2nd half. And where the F is Suter?!!!!!!

A few random thoughts as they happened...

Seeing a promo they showed a drum major. I dont recall seeing SU with one ever. Why not?

The game started off with bad KO cov. PSU ran on their first play and Smith was held to allow a 9 yard gain to the outside. Then we see a nice play by Santiago and a fumble recovery by SU.

SU starts off by giving it right back to PSU. CB dropped the lateral and then Lobdell avoided the fumble like GRob avoids Ws.

PSU scores on a long pass. Game over. Nico Scott was nowhere near the guy. If he is hurt he shouldnt have played. With 13:40 in the 1st Q you can go home.

I noticed that we had ED 44 on the helmets. Nice touch.

Later on PSU has 3rd and 17. SU brings no pressure and sits in a zone. QB makes the read and converts the pass for a first down. If you bring some pressure their the QB has to hit his hot WR and they dont get the first down.

A few times we got some pressure on screens. On both plays the QB threw it away without an intentional grounding call. And both times he hit his OL and didnt get an ineligable WR penalty either. Both turned into breaks for PSU.

I expected more and louder PSU fans. I would guess it was 25K-20K SU. I feared 30 to 15.

SU was in 3 and out city. However on one 3rd down Davis was hit early with no pass interference. We didnt get many calls. PSU woulda won big anyway, did we really need the refs to kick us while we were down as well?

Kimmel and Giruzzi were getting abused. Smith was doing well in pass coverage.

In the Next HC Bowl they showed UBs Hail Mary. I didnt see the game at all but based on losing on the road by a fluke I say Golden was the winner.

A few times PSU ran a bubble screen to the slot with no LB or S within 15 yards and the CB on WR playing 10 yards away. It woulda been an easy 10 yards every time if the QB didnt overthrow it.

Another swing and Flaherty is within the area. No one is blocking him and he is just sitting there waiting for the WR to come to him. Note to Jake they dont tackle themselves. Move! Anyway he misses the tackle.

PSU runs outside and Flaherty is too slow to get there. Why does he play?

This whole game I kinda sat there and felt like Cameron in the pool scene from Ferris Buellers day off.

DC3 pulls up and is hurt. Just great.

Giruzzi gets tossed aside and Mele takes on the FB like a girl. Result long run.

Graham gives up a TD due to not playing the ball. We have 2 DB coaches. Couldnt one of them teach our DBs to turn?

Mayes with a nice pickup. Wasnt an easy catch.

Later on we have a 3rd and 1 and just run it into the line. How many times will we do this?

Owen gets a catch on 4th down. Then on the next 3rd down he drops a 1st down catch leaving SU with a FG attempt.

SU has another helmet fall off. I think that is 4 today. We have to lead the nation in this.

PSU is faced with a 3rd and less than a yard. They take a deep shot but its overthrown. Why couldnt SU have done this the last drive? 4th down a QB sneak gets the first.

Graham gets beat for a TD. If SU ever brought pressure maybe the CBs wouldnt look so bad.

With 2:15 seconds left and SU facing a 2nd and 6 PSU calls TO. Really?After third down, fine. But this showed totaly disrespect with 2:15 seconds left. JoePa pretty much said you aint moving the ball I want 2 min left to work with. Its 35-3 no need.

PSU fumbles the PR and SU recovers. Karma is a bitch.

SU opens up with a swing pass instead of trying for points. Great. Then we follow with a draw. Awesome. 3rd down is a bad pass and SU takes the FG. First you dont win with FGs when your opponent has 35. Second can you be more conservative?

PSU ends the half with a 52 yarder which easily goes through of course.

The seats are all empty to start the second half.

On 3rd and inches in our own territory SU throws long, and a bad throw at that. QB sneak it if you arent willing to go for it on 4th.

Great punt down to 1.

The red headed asst coach on PSU is a dick. He has been yelling at his players all day. Who the F does he think he is? I would pop him if I were a PSU player.

PSU drops a pass on 3rd down and has to punt!

CB does a nice job picking up a blitz. Pass protection has been good.

Dantley throws it right to a DB for an INT.

Our LBs play patty cake with blockers instead of taking them one. Cant we recruit bad ass mofos at LB? How come Dantonio could do it at Cincy but GRob has these guys?

AJ Brown is in. Why? And where the F is Suter?

Holmes is beat on a short pass, misses the tackle, then recovers to cause a fumble. Tribbey and 14 other SU plays miss the ball and PSU recovers.

PSU scores and gets a BS celebration penalty. The refs need to cut this crap. Do you have no common sense?

Hogue converts up the gut on a 4th and 1. Bout time.

Mays has been playing quite a bit. Nice to see.

Davis catches the ball down the field.

4th and 8 Sales catches a TD pass. We are coming back. Maybe not. As SU is about to kick off ABC switches to Oregon vs Purdue. Hey we made it to 1 min left in the 3rd Q. Not bad.

What the next HC is looking at

IMO GRob came in and did an awful job recruiting the D his first year. For example Anthony Smith was a SR. Behind him was Maljovec. So would you not make getting a 3 Star FS a priority? You needed someone to come in and compete right away. Now after 3 full classes we still have no depth at FS, as seen by having a converted RB on the 2nd team. Then you have DE and LB which he also did nothing for. So next year what does the next HC have to concentrate on?

***** I wanted to clarify the below. The next HCs 1st class will be filling holes for the 2010 season. The below is our depth for that season.


QB
Catalina JR
Legree JR
Nassib Soph

I think you definitely want to get a QB. And because QB is important it is always a priority even though the recruit wont get PT until RS Frosh or Soph year.

RB
DC3 SR
Hogue SR
Collier Soph
Bailey Soph
Jones Soph
Harden Soph

I think 1/2 of those guys will end of changing positions. You want two RBs for depth but it isnt a high priority.

WR
MW SR?
Davis SR
Cervino JR
Chew JR
Sales JR
Sheeran JR or Soph?
Fairchild Soph

You want two WRs for depth but they will be more important for the future. So it isnt a high priority.

TE/FB
Provo JR
Pratt JR
Stevens Soph
Cutler Soph

You want a TE for depth but the position is the least important on O.

OL
Baubach SR
Meldrum SR
Rosner SR
Bartholomew SR
McKenzie SR
White JR
Haney JR
Lepak JR
Speller Soph
Kay Soph
Allport Soph

OL is always important. So you want 2 guys in here to develop under the guys above.

DE
Kimmel SR
Perkins SR
Stewart JR
Marinovich JR
Tucker Soph
Vaughan Soph
Jones Soph
Jones Soph

I am sure some of these guys will be moved to DT. Not a position of need.

DT
Tribbey SR
Lewis SR
Middleton JR
Boatman Soph
Lowery Soph

Same as DE.

LB
Canty SR
Mele SR
Smith SR
Battles JR
Gillum JR
Kimmel Soph

This position is a mess. The next coach will need 2 LBs who can come in an push the above group.

CB
Merk SR
Holmes SR
Scott SR
Reid JR
Graham JR
Mayes Soph
Harris Soph

There is some talent here. You may even be able to move a few to S. Still it is always good to stockpile DBs.

S
McKinnon SR
Suter SR
Scott JR

Not much here but a few RBs or CBs will likely be moved. Could be a position of need.

K/P
Long SR
Novak JR
Wallis Soph

These arent huge priorities but you do need a P to take over for the next year.



So if I were to rank by need

1. 2 LBs
2. QB
3. 2 OL
4. 2 WR
5. RB
6. DT
7. DE
8. CB
9. S
10. TE/FB
11. K/P

TATTOO: Penn State Nittany lions vs Syracuse Orange

Welcome to this weeks Team Against Team: Trivia and Obscure Observations (TATTOO). Competing for the TATTOO are the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Syracuse Orange. This weeks TATTOO is an Orange Painted Lion:

Born on Date
PSU: 1855 vs SU: 1870
Ottos Edge: PSU... PSU was founded as the Farmers' High School ofPennsylvania. It then changed to the Agricultural College ofPennsylvania (1862), Pennsylvania State College (1875), and finally PSU(1953).

GPS (Location)
PSU: State College, Happy Valley, University Park vs SU: Syracuse
Ottos Edge: SU... pick a name already. When Penn State changed its namefrom College to University in 1953, its president sought to persuade thetown to change its name as well. When they decided not to, PSU createdUniversity Park.

At that location is a…

Mountain
PSU: Mount Nittany vs SU: Song Mountain
Ottos Edge: PSU... the word Nittany is derived from the Algonquian language word Nit-A-Nee meaning "single mountain"

Which is where PSU got their…

Team Name
PSU: Nittany Lions vs SU: Orange
Ottos Edge: PSU… we fed the men to the lions and are now a fruit

Speaking of fruit…

Gay guy
PSU: John Amaechi (former PSU BBaller) vs SU: Thom Filicia (Queer Eye)
Ottos Edge: Push... both are fabulous

Sticking with BBall and sex…

BBall sex scandal
PSU: Rene Portland allegedly kicked a girl off the team for being a lesbian vs SU: Flynn, Jackson, Scoop alleged rape
Ottos Edge: Push... there are no winners here. Portland was forced out after coaching 27 successful seasons.

More BBall…

Point Guard
PSU: Joe Crispin vs SU: GMac
Ottos Edge: PSU... just kidding

While we are on Scranton and joking…

Fictional alumnus
PSU: Toby Flenderson (Office) vs SU: Sonny Koufax (Big Daddy)
Ottos Edge: SU... Toby is a loser and divorced

Another fictional alumnus of SU was…

Anchorman
PSU: Adam McKay (writer/director) vs SU: Veronica Corningstone (charcter and fictional alumnus)
Ottos Edge: PSU... she is a smelly pirate hooker

Sticking with movies…

Along Came Polly
PSU: John Aniston (Jennifers dad) vs SU: Jerry Stiller (Bens dad)
Ottos Edge: Push... from the sounds of that movie the winners were those of us that didn't see it

The guys behind the movies are the…

Screenwriters
PSU: Steven de Souza (Lethal Weapon, Die Hard) vs SU: Carl Gottlieb(Jaws)
Ottos Edge: PSU... yippee-ki-yay

Staying with writers…

War Novelist
PSU: David Morrell wrote First Blood (Rambo) vs SU: Stephan Crane wrote The Red Badge of Courage
Ottos Edge: PSU... its over Grob, er Johnny.

Writers also work for…

School Papers
PSU: The Daily Collegian vs SU: DO
Ottos Edge: SU... we have the more interesting storyline of GRob

Speaking of storylines, Friday is the premier of The…

RB nickname
PSU: Reading Rambler (Lenny Moore) vs SU: Elmira Express (Ernie Davis)
Ottos Edge: Push… both are great players with great nicknames. Too bad the art of nicknames has been lost.

ED was part of…

Black History
PSU: Wallace Triplett 1st black draftee to play in the NFL vs SU: Ernie Davis 1st black Heisman winner
Ottos Edge: Push… both broke barriers

Staying with the Heisman…

Heisman Winner
PSU: John Cappelletti vs SU: Ernie Davis
Ottos Edge: Push... both had to deal with leukemia (John dedicated his Heisman to his dying brother Joey) and had a movie about it (made for TV: Something for Joey). Surprisingly PSU has only one Heisman winner.

While we are on RBs…

Other RBs
PSU: Franco Harris, Lenny Moore, Larry Johnson, Curt Warner, Matt Suhey,Wallace Triplett, Richie Anderson, Gary Brown, Blair Thomas, Curtis Enis, Ki-Jana Carter, Sam Gash vs SU: Jim Nance, Larry Csonka, Moose Johnston, Jim Brown, Floyd Little, James Mungro, Walter Reyes, Joe Morris, Rob Konrad, Michael Owens, David Walker, Jamie Covington
Ottos Edge: SU... lots of busts lately for PSU

Paving the way for the RBs is the…

OL
PSU: Mike Muchak, Marco Rivera, Brad Benson, Todd Rucci, Dave Szott, Steve Wisniewski vs SU: Jim Ringo, John Flannery, Walt Sweeney, CraigWolfley, Stan Walters, Adam Terry
Ottos Edge: PSU... we are still weaker on the OL

But we are stronger at…

WR/TE
PSU: Mickey Shuler, OJ McDuffie, Kyle Brady, Joe Jurevicius, Eddie Drummond, Bobby Engram vs SU: John Mackey, Rob Moore, Chris Gedney, Art Monk, Kevin Johnson, Marvin Harrison
Ottos Edge: SU... just a tad better

And throwing to them are the…

QBs
PSU: Kerry Collins, John Hufnagel, Todd Blackledge, Michael Robinson,Wally Richardson, Tony Sacca, Zach Mills, Richie Lucas (1st ever Buffalo Bill) vs SU: Donovan McNabb, Bill Custis, Marvin Graves, Todd Philcox, Wilmet Sadet-Singh, Don McPherson, Bill Hurley, Troy Nunes (a PSU fan)
Ottos Edge: SU... triple negative points for the bust Blackledge

From Offense to Defense…

DL
PSU: Rosey Grier, Courtney Brown, Tamba Hali vs SU: Dwight Freeney, Tim Green, Rob Burnett
Ottos Edge: SU... we could use these guys now

Currently our worst unit is our…

LBs
PSU: Jack Ham, Paul Posluszny, Dan Connor, Andre Collins, KeithGoganious, Lance Mehl, Matt Millen, Shane Conlan, Brandon Short, LaVarArrington, John Skorupan, Denis Onkotz, Greg Buttle vs SU: Keith Bulluck, Dan Conley, Kevin Mitchell, Jim Collins, TerryWooden
Ottos Edge: PSU... they dont call it LB U for nuttin

Bobby Boucher (best current defender)
PSU: Maurice Evans vs SU: Art Jones
Ottos Edge: SU… we know Art will play, while Evans may still be suspended

Ironically the “player” that can determine who Ws and who Ls is the…

K
PSU: Bahr Borthers (Matt, Chris), Robbie Gould vs SU: Gary Anderson, Olinda Mare, Nate Trout
Ottos Edge: SU... although I am grateful for Matts kicks with the GMen.



And finally the category of the what? You want more? Alright you go it.


Lets stay with the Giants…

XLII SB winning Giants
PSU: Kareem McKenzie, Jay Alford vs SU: David Tyree, Tom Coughlin
Ottos Edge: SU... they played a larger role

And more of the Giants…

Other former Giants
PSU: Kerry Collins, John Hufnagel (current Calgary Stampeders HC), BrandonShort, LaVar Arrington, Brad Benson, Matt Bahr, Joe Jurevicius, RoseyGrier vs SU: Joe Morris, Will Allen, Larry Csonka, Carl Karilivacz
Ottos Edge: PSU... lots of Ws produced by those folks

Speaking of Ws…
All Time Wins
PSU: 790 vs SU: 670
Ottos Edge: PSU... not many can beat SU

Remaining on winning…

We're going streaking
PSU: 49 straight non losing seasons (1939-87) vs SU: 22 straight non losing seasons (1950-1971)
Ottos Edge: PSU… that is amazing. PSU also once had a 31 game win streak. However they had no title to show for it. They went undefeated in 1968 and 1969 finishing 2nd in the polls both years.

But they did win it in…

National Titles
PSU: 2 (1982, 1986) vs SU: 1 (1959)
Ottos Edge: PSU... the 1987 Fiesta Bowl was the most watched CFB game ever. PSU won 14-10 despite being out gained 3 to 1 (450 to 150), thanks to Testeverde’s 5 INTs

Speaking of the Fiesta Bowl…

Bowls
PSU: 25-12-2 vs SU: 12-9-1
Ottos Edge: PSU... they have the highest Bowl Win % in CFB

The best way to get to a Bowl is by winning your…

Conference
PSU: Big Ten vs SU: Big East
Ottos Edge: SU... PSU ruined the B10 by making it 11.

Conf Titles
PSU: 2 vs SU: 4
Ottos Edge: SU... PSU missed out by not joining the BE where they belong

Despite being in different confs, the teams still play for the…

Lambert Trophy
PSU: 26 (last 2005) vs SU: 6 (last 1992)
Ottos Edge: PSU... since 1998 they have only won once

Staying with Trophies…

Rivalry Trophies
PSU: Governors Victory Bell (started 1993 with Minnesota, PSU leads 6-4), Land Grant Trophy (started 1993 with Mich St, PSU leads 11-4) vs SU: Schwartzwalder Trophy (started 1993 with WV, who leads 9-6)
Ottos Edge: Push... all are made up trophies trying to establish tradition. At least the SU-WV game has been played many years.

Speaking of playing many times…

Team played most
PSU: Pitt 96 times (50-42-4) vs SU: PSU 68 times
Ottos Edge: SU… good job JoePa ruining both. PSU last played Pitt in 2000.

Of those 68 meetings…

Head to Head
PSU: 40 Ws vs SU: 23 Ws
Ottos Edge: PSU… not close just like this game will be. The teams have tied 5 times.

Many of those games were played at…

No one, and I mean no one, comes into our house and pushes us around (Home Field)
PSU: Beaver Stadium (107,250) vs SU: the Dome
Ottos Edge: PSU... they have the largest stadium in the US (Michigan had to reduce seating for handicap accessibility). Their largest crowd ever was 110,753 (makes sense that it is 3k more than capacity). The stadium is named after James Beaver, former PA Govna and former president of the BOTs.

While there you will hear the…

Band
PSU: Blue Band (over 300 members) vs SU: SUMB
Ottos Edge: PSU... in 2005 the band won the Sudler Trophy, which goes to the nations top band.

As well as the fans…

Chant
PSU: We are... Penn St vs SU: Lets go Orange
Ottos Edge: SU... we know who you are and are not impressed

And those fans are made up of…

Fan Base
PSU: avg'd 107,567 a game, 90k season ticket holders (21k student), White Out vs SU: maybe 30k a game, season tickets?, Silver Out
Ottos Edge: PSU... it doesn't hurt that PSU has over 450k alumni

The have so many alumni because of their large…

Student size
PSU: 43k vs SU: 19K
Ottos Edge: PSU... the more the merrier

Those students should be there to get an…

Edumacation
PSU: 57th (US News) vs SU 53rd
Ottos Edge: SU... PSU was King Otto's safety school

Which is why schools often…

Outlawed Fun
PSU: The Phi Psi 500 (a fund raising mile run with pit stops at bars) vs SU: Livingston Block Party
Ottos Edge: Push... no one wins when fun is taken away. While PSU banned that fund raiser they are proud to have the THON (dance marathon), which is the largest student run philanthropy in the world.



And finally the category of the wait you still want more? OK, on with the marathon


Sticking with fun and dancing…

Alumni
PSU: Richard James (invented Slinky), Herman Fisher (Fisher-Price), Mike Scioscia vs SU: Steve Rubell (Studio 54), Lexington Steele, Marv Albert
Ottos Edge: SU… our guys are involved in adult entertainment

Speaking of adult entertainment…

Howard Stern Show
PSU: Benjy vs SU: Frozen (interned)
Ottos Edge: SU... Benjy is annoying

Howard is the King of All Media, which would include…

Sports Media
PSU: Tom Verducci, Lisa Salters, Todd Blackledge vs SU: Bob Costas, VeraJones, Mike Tirico, etc.
Ottos Edge: SU... its our bread and butter

While we are on food…

Let's put the women and children to bed and go lookin' for dinner! (Eatery)
PSU: Otto's Pub & Brewery vs SU: Empire Brewing Company
Ottos Edge: PSU... it was named after Otto, right? PSU also has the Ye Olde College Diner, which was voted the 3rd best place to eat a sticky bun in the United States. It is a place of Penn State tradition that dates back to1929.

While we are on Otto…

Mascot
PSU: Nittany Lion vs SU: Otto the Orange
Ottos Edge: SU... poor Lion doesn't even have a name

But the Lion does have a…

Statue
PSU: Lions Shrine vs SU: Saltine Warrior
Ottos Edge: PSU… it is better for painting orange

Speaking of statues, for the game SU will be unveiling a…

FB statue
PSU: Joe Paterno vs SU: Ernie Davis
Ottos Edge: SU... Joe ruined NE FB by going to the B11

But he has been a successful…

HC
PSU: JoePa (started 1966, 373 Ws, paid $500K) vs SU: GRob (started 2005, 7 Ws, paid $1 million)
Ottos Edge: PSU... JoePa is still tied for career INTs (14) at Brown University. He is in his 59th season at PSU (started as an asst). He is 7-1 all time against his current nemesis Bobby Bowden. He is the only HC to win the Rose, Orange, Fiesta, Sugar, and Cotton Bowls.

Sticking with HCs…

Former Coach
PSU: Rip Engle vs SU: Ben Schwartzwalder
Ottos Edge: SU... Ben was 9-7 vs Engle

And SUs last coach was…

Paul Pasqualoni
PSU: former player vs SU: former HC
Ottos Edge: SU... he did a lot for SU

Playing under Coach P was McNabb, who is now a…

Trustee
PSU: Chair is CEO of Eat'n Park vs SU: a trustee is an NFL QB
Ottos Edge: SU... that shows where our priorities are

SU has always been strong at revenue sports but overall…

Athletics
PSU: among the best vs SU: trying to improve
Ottos Edge: PSU... they have been Top 25 in the NACDA Directors Cup all15 years of its existence. Last year they were 9th (their eight Top 10 finish). They have 10 national titles in fencing, mens gymnastics has a record 12 titles, women volleyball won it all in 2007 and the men won in2008. But they still suck at BBall.

Supporting athletics is the…

Booster Club
PSU: State College QB Club vs SU: Orange Club
Ottos Edge: PSU… fans gather at the Nittany Lion Inn midweek to discuss the last game and the next game. JoePa and players often visit.

Dressing the athletic teams is…

Nike
PSU: Mark Parker (CEO) vs SU: Melo
Ottos Edge: SU... not the greatest decision to hire the trouble making Melo

Sticking with dress…
School colors used to be
PSU: Black and Pink vs SU: Pink and Green
Ottos Edge: PSU... supposedly PSU changed to Blue and White when the Black and Pink faded. Also they stayed classic with the unis while SU has beenF-ing it up lately.

While we are on F-ing things up…

I-81
PSU: always down to 1 lane even though no work is ever done vs SU: smooth sailing
Ottos Edge: SU... also PA is filled with drivers going 20 MPH in the left lane. The state is a driving nightmare.

For this I blame the state…

Politics
PSU: Rick Santorum, Valerie Plame, Tom Ridge vs SU: Joe Biden, Donna Shalala, Al D'Amato
Ottos Edge: SU... their group is much more controversial

Rumors are that Biden may be replaced as VP by…

Hillary Clinton
PSU: Hughs (father and brother) vs SU: NY Senator
Ottos Edge: Push... there are no winners here

If she did become VP it would be a first for a woman. And Obama would be the first black Pres. Along those lines…

Astronaut firsts
PSU: Guion Bluford (1st African American in space) vs SU: Eileen Collins(1st female pilot)
Ottos Edge: Push... both boldly went where none had gone before

Sticking with firsts…

1st year FB
PSU: 1881 vs SU: 1889
Ottos Edge: PSU… back then JoePa was only an asst coach.

And from first to last, as in the last category and the category of the week (sorry I have nothing left)…

I love the 80s (aka oh yeah I remember him)
PSU: RB DJ Dozier 1983-86 vs SU: RB Robert Drummond 1985-1988
Ottos Edge: SU… he did win 4 Grey Cups after all

And the TATTOO goes to……

In the city, the great Salt City the Lions weep tonight. Oooooh. That’s right the Syracuse Orange will pull off the upset by the skin of their teeth. State Penn sucks!