Ron Musselman: Welcome to another Thursday afternoon chat. Finally, there is a big game to talk about in Happy Valley. The game Saturday is an elimination game in the Big Ten race. Both Ohio State and Penn State have outstanding defenses, but neither has beaten a ranked team this season. It should make for an interesting game.

sharxman: Do you really believe that Iowa is the best team in the Big 10? It sure seems they've gotten a bit lucky (including against a better Penn State team).

Ron Musselman: As it stands now, Iowa is the best team in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are undefeated and have beaten Penn State and every other opponent along the way. But the big game for Iowa will come next week when it travels to Ohio State. We will have a lot better idea of just how good the Hawkeyes are after the next two weekends. But give Kirk Ferentz credit. Even when his team falls behind early but always seems to rally.

pa66: If PItt and Penn State met on a neutral field, who would win and the score?

Ron Musselman: I don't see this matchup materializing in a bowl game, so there's no sense of making a prediction. And if it does, we can tackle that topic then.

Len: Why is it that JoePa is sooo stubborn when it comes to getting the back up QB reps in games that are well in hand? And, when they do get in, they never throw, just a few handoffs ... what good is that in building experience and confidence?

Ron Musselman: Yeah, that has been one of the biggest criticisms of JoePa through the years. When his teams have big leads in the second half of games, he never seems to let any of the backups shine. I agree that No. 2 QB Kevin Newsome should have been getting more snaps and attempting more passes in the early part of the soft non-conference schedule, but he didn't. You are right, all he did was run. I think it's pretty obvious if anything happens to Daryll Clark, Penn State is in big trouble. Then again, that would be the case with most major college football teams if their starting QB was hurt.

3CsChickenRanch: Bowden and Paterno in an MMA fight ... who wins?

Ron Musselman: I would award the decision to Paterno. He is a pretty feisty 82-year-old guy. Bowden will be 80 on Sunday and he seems to be limping to the finish line.

NoMoreSaccas: What is Green's status?

Ron Musselman: He resumed practicing this week, and provided there is no swelling in his chronic right ankle, I would expect he would see some playing time Saturday. Having said that, I think Brandon Beachum also will be on the field. He has done a nice job of filling in for Green the past two weeks, although Beachum is normally a fullback.

pa66: Will the Big Ten ever get a 12th team? If so, who?

Ron Musselman: I think the Big Ten will add a 12th team in time. I have no idea what school it might be because there have been so many bandied about the past few years.

ImmaManIm40: Fast forward a month: how many losses for PSU and Iowa? I still say PSU is unproven (other than Iowa), that will change Saturday. And Iowa has been too lucky, that's not sustainable (even with replay refs help).

Ron Musselman: I predicted Penn State would finish 10-2 in the regular season before the season and I am sticking to that. But I wouldn't be surprised if the Lions ran the table and won their last three games. Keep in mind, even if Penn State beats Ohio State Saturday, I think the game at Michigan State to close out the regular season will be tougher than people think. I think Iowa will finish 11-1, with its only loss at Ohio State next week.

NoMoreSaccas: WIll the Big Ten ever get into the 21st Century and allow league play after Thanksgiving?

Ron Musselman: Yeah, the Big Ten has instituted a bye week in the schedule starting next season for all teams. And the Nittany Lions' season-ending game with Michigan State will be played the weekend after Thanksgiving starting next year.

bubs: I feel like Penn State has made consistent strides in every facet of their game each week since conference play began, but nowhere has it been more impressive then the O-line play. How is this unit jelling and do you think they're ahead of where many thought they'd be? And how will they stack up against Ohio State?

Ron Musselman: I think the offensive line has made the biggest improvement in the past five games. That unit has opened up holes for tailback Evan Royster and given quarterback Daryll Clark time to throw. I think Penn State's line will have quite a challenge against Ohio State, and it must play much better than it did against Iowa.

bubs: Do you think Bowman might be a dedicated shadow for Pryor this week, the way Lavar used to do?

Ron Musselman: I think there will be a lot of people focused on stopping Pryor. I would think Bowman or Sean Lee would serve as a shadow. Penn State?s front seven must keep him in the pocket and not let him outside. Pryor, after all, is the Buckeyes' top rusher with 554 yards and six TDs.

bubs: The WR corps is suddenly making the departure of last year's excellent group not such a bitter pill. Talk about the play of Moye, Zug, et al.

Ron Musselman: I think Moye has been a big surprise with how quickly he has developed. At 6-5, he can go up high to catch a pass and he is a deep threat. He is the team's leading receiver with 39 catches. He and Zug, a former walk-on, have six touchdowns apiece. Zug, with 30 catches, doesn't have the speed that Moye does, but he is a great possession receiver. And let's not forget Chaz Powell. He has 26 receptions and three TDs. It's a pretty nice group.

ClarkisPryorsDaddy: Ron, who has more pressure on them to deliver, Clark or Pryor?

Ron Musselman: That's a great question, one I hadn't even thought of until now. Pryor is 0-1 against Penn State, the school he snubbed. And he has been getting bashed from all sides. There is definitely a lot of pressure on him to deliver a win. But I think there's more pressure on Clark, who needs to win a big game to cement his legacy as on of the school's best quarterbacks. Clark was knocked out of last year?s game in Columbus, Ohio, with a concussion and backup Pat Devlin ended up leading the Lions to the win.

sharxman: Yesterday, you indicated that Penn State needed to win all their games and Iowa to lose twice to reach the Rose Bowl. But what if Iowa wins out as well and gets into the national title game? Then Penn State could still go to the Rose bowl, or am I wrong?

Ron Musselman: I just tried to simplify the implications of Saturday's game and the possibilities for Penn State and Ohio State, which isn't easy. You are right, Iowa could win out and reach the BCS national championship game. In that case, the Rose Bowl spot would be open to the next best team in the Big Ten, which very well could be Penn State. Many believe the Hawkeyes will get left of the national title game even if they go undefeated.

NoMoreSaccas: Ron, can PSU throw on the OSU secondary? Their front seven seem VERY strong.

Ron Musselman: Ohio State is very good on defense. The Buckeyes are ranked in the top 10 in several categories, just like Penn State. I expect it to be a defensive battle, like last year, but I don't expect to see a 6-4 game again in Beaver Stadium. I think Penn State will be able to throw the ball against the Buckeyes.

FalconPSU: How do you think the injuries to Pryor and OSU's kicker will affect the Buckeyes' game plan?

Ron Musselman: I don't think Pryor would miss this game not matter how sore he is. I do think losing. I think the loss of kicker Aaron Pettrey to a season-ending injury last year could hurt the Buckeyes.

pa66: Does Penn State's schedule hurt them getting to the BCS?

Ron Musselman: There general consensus here in happy Valley is that if Penn State wins out and Iowa goes to the Rose Bowl, the Lions could end up in the Fiesta Bowl or Orange Bowl as an at-large berth. But that is pure speculation. Take it for what it is worth.

Omar_Little: This is the first time in forever that I can think of that Ohio St. doesn't have a stud RB. Does this make it easier to focus on shutting down Pryor? Is OSU's offense to one-dimensional and too reliant on Pryor?

Ron Musselman: I think that has been one of the issues for Pryor's poor play. He doesn't have a Beanie Wells in the backfield to help take some of the pressure off of him.

ImmaManIm40: This Pitt fan is continually amazed at PSU's recruiting bonanza harvest this year. Good crowds help, but what are they selling kids as far as "playing for a legend?" Are they selling that JoePa will still be there in 5 years when they're seniors (when he's almost 90)?

Ron Musselman: Penn State is having a banner 2010 recruiting class, according to all the recruiting services. It's obvious that kids want to play for Penn State, whether Paterno's here or not. I am not even sure whether that is part of their decision-making process anymore.

ClarkisPryorsDaddy: I know it's a little early to be asking this, but do you believe Newsome can lead PSU to a BCS game next year? The rest of the team seems welled equipped to have another great season.

Ron Musselman: You are right, it's way too early to answer that question.

NoMoreSaccas: Is Clark good enough to get a shot in the pros as a QB, or will he be forced to go to a different position?

Ron Musselman: Clark is a good college quarterback. From what I have seen and heard, he is projected as a sixth- or seventh-round pick in the NFL draft in April. I am sure he will get a shot a being a backup in the pros.

pa66: Does the Big Ten ever step in and change the non-conference schedule? Or change its own Big Ten schedule for more interesting matchups? I thing the Big Ten is getting over looked this year, because of a lack of interesting matchups.

Ron Musselman: The Big Ten does not control the schedules. The Big Ten is getting overlooked because of its poor performance in bowl games the past few years. Ohio State comes to mind with ugly losses to Florida and LSU in two BCS national championship games.

ImmaManIm40: Throwbacks are all the rage these days. If Penn State wore them how would they be different? PSU might be the only school in USA whose throwbacks are more decorated than now. Like when John Capeletti wore 22 on his hat, wowed voters and rightfully won the Heisman?

Ron Musselman: That is funny. If Penn State did have a throwback day, I guess it would just wear the same uniforms it does now. How about this? Maybe Joe could wear a throwback outfit from his first season as an assistant coach in 1950.

ImmaManIm40: I watched the Northwest game, and Pryor is a much better runner than the two guys the Wildcats ran out there. Says here the Sweater Vest lets him get loose. Will this sway the game to the Bug-eyes?

Ron Musselman: Pryor will be on the run, one way or another, we know that. Penn State's defense is strong against the run. It should be an interesting matchup.

bubs: If I'm not mistaken, this series is about even since Penn State joined the Big Ten with the home team usually prevailing (last season aside). Do you see that trend continuing this week?

Ron Musselman: The series is dead even at 12-12 all-time. Paterno is 8-12 against Ohio State and Jim Tressel is 5-3 vs. the Lions.

Ron Musselman: Thanks for the great chat today. See you all back here next Thursday at 1 p.m.

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