Blue White Illustrated

ducted earlier this summer. Even the presumably impartial editors of Athlon's college football preview magazine ranked Penn State 22nd in their presea- son poll, claiming the Lions will "push for 10 wins this year." Ten wins? That's a wildly optimistic projection, but it's in- dicative of the national view. Penn State is being seen by fans, media and poten- tial recruits as a program that's going places. When will it arrive? That's a trickier question. Many of the team's best play- ers will be freshmen and sophomores this season. Its senior class is so small that the Sports Information staff was able to fit all 13 members on the cover of the media guide with plenty of room to spare for the obligatory "Unrivaled" logo. Given that the roster skews so young, depth will be a concern through- out the upcoming season. If this team were to lose a key player or two to injury, it might have trouble winning the six games it would need in order to qualify for a bowl. But an overabundance of excitement is not a bad problem to have. It certainly beats the alternative. And if the season ends in December or January rather than November, Penn State will have a chance to build toward the 2015 season, when all those four-star prospects in this year's recruiting class will be more experienced and the highly regarded Class of 2015 will be getting set to make its debut. There are some ap- pealing junkets on the Big Ten's postsea- son docket this year, even in the lower tiers, including bowls in San Diego and San Francisco. Maybe Penn State will be heading somewhere, maybe it won't. Af- ter such a prolonged absence, the mere possibility of a bowl invitation would be sufficient. For now, anyway. ■ I read with interest and sadness your article entitled "Search and Replace" in the 2014 Blue White Illustrated Football Preview. What seems to continue to be lost in the rush to judgment and attempt at political correctness in the Sandusky affair is that there was something in- credibly positive and unique about how Penn State and its beloved coach ran its football program and the effect that had on the rest of the university's athletic programs as well. Greatness is unique and, therefore, different in very substantial ways from the norm. The program was without scandal, had among the highest gradua- tion rates in the country, conducted it- self with dignity and honor, and yes, in addition, won more often than it lost. It was the standard that most other de- cent college programs attempted to em- ulate. It had nothing to do with the Sandusky scandal, nor did its coach. I disagree with you in one major re- spect. While all qualified candidates should be considered, all things being equal, there is simply nothing wrong with hiring qualified candidates with Penn State connections. While I, as with virtually everyone, am pleased with the success the wrestling program has had, and I acknowledge it is due in large part to the coach who was hired, there would have been nothing wrong with hiring Kerry McCoy. There would never be anything wrong with hiring coaches at any sport, or professors in any field of study, or athletic directors or presidents who have connections to the university. It was interesting to read that Penn State hired its first female athletic direc- tor, one who was asked to step down from her prior position, ran up a sub- stantial debt, and had the lowest gradu- ation rate in her conference. Barry N. Mosebach Allentown, Pa. 111 E. Beaver Ave s State College, PA 16801 www.The-Phyrst.com 814.234.4406 137 Elmwood St. s State College, PA 16801 www.HappyValleyBeer.com Wood-fire Grill 12 Beers on Tap 200 Year Old Barn 821 Cricklewood Dr. s Toftrees, State College www.AmericanAleHouse.net 814.237.9701 s Piano Bar s Sommelier 814.238.1406 814.234.7700 s 1611 Atherton St. s State College 814.941.7788 s Plank Rd. Exit s Altoona www.ChampsSportsGrill.net s Best Game Bar s Large Groups Welcome co lc e W We s p u o r G e g r a L s a e B m a st G e B s S n S h 1 A 1 6 1 0 0 7 7 4. 3 2 4. 1 8 me co r a l l C S r G s rt o p S s p m a h C . www s t i x . E d k R n a l P s P 8 8 7 7 1. 4 9 . 4 1 8 S s . t n S o t r e h t 1 A 1 6 1 s 0 0 7 7 4. 3 2 4. 1 8 t e n . l l i r na o o t l A e g e l l o C e at t S L E T T E R T O T H E E D I T O R

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