• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

vBook: PSU @ MSU

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
Which coach will experience the sideline meltdown first?

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Smith, Paterno keep perspective

By Tim Martin / Associated Press

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State coach John L. Smith was upset last year that disgruntled fans were suggesting Penn State's Joe Paterno should step aside.

Now, Smith is the one facing fan criticism as Paterno's resurgent Nittany Lions head into Spartan Stadium for Saturday's traditional Big Ten finale.

After a 4-0 start raised fans' expectations, Michigan State (5-5, 2-5 Big Ten) has lost five of its last six games. The Spartans need a win to become eligible for a bowl.

Meanwhile, Paterno and No. 5 Penn State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) have rebounded from two consecutive losing seasons and would get at least a share of the Big Ten title with a victory.

Smith, in his third season in East Lansing, fully expects to be back next year. He says the heat is no more intense than it was when he took over the program in December 2002.

"Same as it was the first day I came in," said Smith, noting that Internet chat calling for his dismissal started before he coached a game for Michigan State.

Smith has a 128-77 record in a 17-year career that includes successful rebuilding jobs at Louisville, Utah State and Idaho. He is 18-17 at Michigan State halfway through a six-year contract.

Paterno -- who has a 352-117-3 record in his 40-year career -- defended Smith and ripped his critics this week.

"I'd tell them to shut up. If John L. wants to ask me, I'd tell him to tell them to all shut up," Paterno said. "You've got people who don't quite understand what's going on.

"John L.'s a heck of a football coach. I look at the things he's done and the way his kids play. I think he'll be fine."

Not long ago, it was Paterno's future that was debated by fans and media. Back-to-back records of 3-9 in 2003 and 4-7 last year had some in Happy Valley calling for the 78-year-old Paterno to resign.

Penn State whipped Michigan State in its finale last season, 37-13. Smith said this week it was clear to him then that Paterno and Penn State would come roaring back this season.

"I think it speaks volumes to his commitment and his willingness to say, 'This is what we do, and we're going to be fine,' " Smith said of Paterno's approach during the past few seasons. "'Continue to work on it, and things will get better.' And that's what they've done."

AP poll voters weren't convinced Penn State would turn it around, however. The Nittany Lions didn't crack the Top 25 until early October.

Now, they would earn their second Big Ten title and first since 1994 with a win Saturday. They also would get the conference's Bowl Championship Series berth and would have an outside shot at playing for the national title, depending on what unfolds in other conferences over the next few weeks.

But Penn State players and coaches say they aren't looking that far ahead. Michigan State is a potential spoiler, going 9-1 against Top 10 teams since 1997 -- a string that started with a 49-14 victory over a Penn State team that was ranked fourth at the time.

Nittany Lions linebacker Paul Posluszny is surprised by the Spartans' struggles.

"They are an extremely talented team," he said. "But on any given day, anyone can beat anyone in our conference."

The Penn State defense has allowed 297.1 yards per game, 11th-best in the nation and second in the conference.

Michigan State's offense, keyed by quarterback Drew Stanton, ranks fifth in the nation and first in the Big Ten, averaging 506.9 yards. Stanton needs one more touchdown pass to eclipse the school mark of 21 he shares with Jeff Smoker.

Defensively, Michigan State has struggled much of the season. The Spartans will be challenged by Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson, who has hurt opponents all season both running and passing the football.

Robinson has completed 52 percent of his passes for 1,992 yards with 15 TDs and nine interceptions. He has run for 695 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Tony Hunt leads the Nittany Lions' ground game with 958 yards and five TDs on 154 carries.
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top