Ron Musselman: Good afternoon. I am here in Happy Valley where it is about 60 degrees. Penn State will be looking for its fifth consecutive win Saturday at Northwestern. The Lions are 6-1 on the road the psat two seasons.

sharxman: It looks like Iowa's late TD vs Michigan State ruined any chance of Penn State winning the Big 10 outright and going to Pasadena. If Penn State wins out, they'd need Iowa to lose twice. Outside of their trip to Columbus, I don't see a loss on their schedule. Do you see Iowa possibly tripping up elsewhere?

Ron Musselman: Yeah, it doesn't look good for the Lions winning the Big Ten title outright or going to the Rose Bowl again. They would have to win their last four games and have Iowa lose twice, which is very unlikely. If the Lions win out -- and it's a big if with Ohio State next week and a dangerous season-ending game at Michigan State --and Iowa loses at Ohio State No. 14 and wins its other three games -- then the Lions and Hawkeyes would ended in a tie. Since Penn State went to the Rose Bowl last year, Iowa would go this year.

sharxman: Which PSU players do you see playing on Sundays?

Ron Musselman: I am not sure where you are going with this question. I would expect the see the same guys as normal. Backup tailback Stephfon Green (ankle) isn't expected to play again and it's uncertain whether Sean Le will start at outside linebacker after playing in a reserve role the past two games.

Ron Musselman: Sorry, I read the previous question wrong. I thought you mean Saturday. Anyway, I see Sean Lee, Navorro Bowman, Jared Odrick and Even Royster playing in the NFL for sure, and I am sure Daryll Clark will get a decent shot. He is listed as a sixth or seventh-round pick right now.

ImmaManIm40: Cory Giger really ignited a fun firestorm in his fictional novel about Pitt-PSU meeting in the Fiesta Bowl. We've even heard about out here on the West Coast. Are the Powers-That-Be in Centre County listening to the voice of the masses? Both sides want it back!e

Ron Musselman: I just can't see Penn State and Pitt playing in a bowl game, although I think it would be a pretty decent game. There is a lot of work ahead for both teams before we can worry about playing in the postseason. Penn State still must beat Ohio State and then win at Michigan State in the final regular-season game. Pitt has to beat Notre Dame and Cincinnati. I would love to see Pitt and Penn State play again, but I am not holding my breath. I don't see it happening.

JimWhite: What do you think are the toughest remaining games on the schedule? And is there any chance that we'll see a revival of the Thanksgiving Pitt-Penn State game?

Ron Musselman: Penn State's toughest games are simple. The Lions play Terrelle Pryor and Ohio State here at Beaver Stadium in two weeks and then must go to Michigan State to close the season. They blew a big lead in East Lansing two years ago and lost 35-31 and they lost there 41-10 in 2003. I answered the Pitt-Penn State question previously. No I don't see it happening until Joe Paterno is gone.

ImmaManIm40: Even if Cory Geiger proves to be prophetic, sez here he'll be wrong in his predicted winner (sez this Pitt fan). Paul Zeise is a very smart guy, he picks Pitt too! Your pick, and why?

Ron Musselman: I wouldn't wager a guess as to who would win the game, but I think it would be a really good one. It seems to me that both teams have decent quarterbacks and running backs and are solid on defense, although I would give the nod to the Lions in that category. I like the projected site -- the Fiesta Bowl, since the weather is great there and the golf is awesome -- but I don't see a Pitt-Penn State matchup in the postseason.

PSU_man: What can you tell me about Northwestern?

Ron Musselman: Northwestern has played Penn State tight in Evanston, Ill. The Lions are 3-2 in there past five trips their and the games have been decided by an average of 6.4 points. I know there are four WPIAL players playing for the Cats -- safety Brad Phillips, linebacker Nate Williams, defensive end Quentin Williams and kick returner Jeravin Matthews.

ImmaManIm40: Bob Smizik, another smart guy, suggested in his blog that Pitt counter-offer a 3-for-2 split to PSU rather than accept 2-for-1. That's reasonable, we can live with that for starters! Could Team JoePa?

Ron Musselman: I don't see Pitt and Penn State playing again, not as long as Joe Paterno is here.

ImmaManIm40: Suggested name for renewed Pitt-PSU game: "Keystone Catfight." Thoughts? Most of the other cool names like Civil War (Oregon-OSU) and Backyard Brawl are taken!

Ron Musselman: Wow, how about the Paterno Bowl?

PEACHYpaterno: What's the latest on Big Ten expansion? Is this something we could see this offseason?

Ron Musselman: I have not heard anything new on Big Ten expansion, but I do think the conference will go to 12 teams sometime in the not so distant future.

Ron Musselman: Thanks for the questions today. Penn State and Pitt will be no closer to playing when we meet here again next Thursday again at 1 p.m. for another chat. Get you questions in early next week. The Lions will welcome Terrelle "too country" Pryor and the Buckeyes to Beaver Stadium next Saturday.

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