What We Learned in Madison

Penn State is really, really good. And that isn't just the hyperbole of a writer with a certain stake in the Nittany Lions' success over the final two-plus months of the season.

The Nittany Lions dominated in every facet of the game over 60 minutes at Camp Randall as head coach Joe Paterno observed from above his perch in the press box. Ironically enough, Madison was the site of Paterno's leg injury that started his whole discussion about age as it relates to coaching.

Is Paterno still too old to produce? It's a subject ESPN's Gene Wojciechowski delved into in a Monday column and it's a topic of discussion I will offer an opinion on later in the week.

Yet, the proof is in the pudding. The Nittany Lions' depth, once a question at the season's outset, now appears to be one of their strongest assets. The suspensions of Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma allowed Mike Lucian (a converted offensive lineman), Jared Odrick, Aaron Maybin and company to show their mettle. It also saved bumps and bruises on Evans' and Koroma's bodies, keeping them fresh for the rough-and-tumble Big Ten slate.

The wide receiving corps, always thought to be a strength, has lived up to expectations, even with the injury to always-steady Jordan Norwood. Deon Butler has been the homerun hitter, sophomore Graham Zug has served the Ethan Kilmer role (long and lanky with a wide target between the numbers) and Derrick Williams has shown numerous highlight-reel bursts that made him the nation's top high-school star four years ago. Williams' trademark burst is back, and his effect on the special teams game may be even more important than his many contributions to the offense.

Williams returned a punt for a dagger in the second period Saturday, and in the process set the school-record with his fifth special teams touchdown. Sounds like a perfect Sports By the Numbers story, doesn't it?

We can continue to wax poetic on Daryll Clark, who continues to handle adversity with the combination of grace and determination that likens him to Michael Robinson. Clark patiently waited his turn behind much-maligned, and now-graduated Anthony Morelli, much like Robinson played all over the offensive side of the ball as Zack Mills continued to set school records.

You can read about Robinson's perseverance and guiding faith in the Chapter Eight opening of the book (shameless plug).

But back to the task at hand. 48-7. I still can't wrap my head around the physical beatdown the Nits defensive front put on a BIG and bruising offensive front for the Badgers. It is true a one-dimensional Badgers offense did the front five no favors, but the revolving door of strength and speed led by co-Big Ten Player of the Week Maybin (he shared the honor with Clark) was mighty impressive.

It's as deep a defensive line as there is at Alabama or Texas or Oklahoma. And it's a front four that set the tone for the new Spread HD offense, a dynamic return game and the return of Penn State pride.

Paterno may have been firmly planted (safely) above Camp Randall Stadium, but his fingerprints were all over the structure and organization of the Nittany Lions' methodical thrashing on Saturday night.

If Penn State continues to play that sound, that smart, that opportunistic, not even the Buckeyes -- who didn't score an offensive touchdown against a Purdue team that Penn State racked up over 400 total yards against -- will derail the train trip down memory lane.

An 82-year-old head coach, sitting upstairs, back on the national stage. This is Penn State's first 7-0 start since 1999, a team well-chronicled in the book for its quick start and equally quick fall that started at home against Minnesota and ended with an Alamo Bowl-saving victory over Texas A&M.

This Penn State team is really good (I said that earlier). The oddsmakers agree as the early line against Michigan is -24. Over three-touchdown favorites against the Wolverines, even in a transition year for Rich Rodriguez and his new Maize and Blue?

Wow. Penn State must be really good.
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Want to support THON? Have a Penn State loyalist in your life who would love a great football read for the holidays? Purchase Jared Trexler's new Penn State book at Amazon.com.