In Denver, they are buzzing about the growing legend of Travis Hunter after last night’s 31-26 triumph over the Bison. However, John Denver’s attentions are elsewhere.
As in Morgantown, West Virginia. Penn State pays a rare visit on Saturday. Shades of long, gone times when the Eastern schools were largely independent and battled each other to win the Lambert Trophy, the reward for regional supremacy.
Joe Paterno wanted to establish a formal Eastern football conference but could not pull it off. Hello, Big 10!!
Last year, the Mountaineers paid a visit to Penn State and were spanked 38-15. Not only did West Virginia get spanked, but the Nittany Lions scored a “tack it on” touchdown in the game’s final seconds. Certainly, salt in the wound. Did James Franklin know that Penn State was a 20-point favorite and want to appease the local betting public? Let’s get 60 Minutes to investigate!
This year’s game rates to be closer. Penn State started as a 10.5 point favorite but the line has dropped to 8. Penn State QB Drew Allar has an opportunity to quiet critics. Although Allar did throw for 325 in last year’s WV triumph, the Penn State offense was both conservative and quiet in defining losses to Ohio State and Michigan.
The spirit of John Denver might be celebrating tomorrow. Behind dual threat QB Garrett Greene and an experienced D, the Mountaineers have a real chance to put a damper on the playoff hopes of the Nittany Lions.
If the upset occurs, can you blame the locals if they burn a few couches? After all, when your squad is 2-35-1 since 1956 against their historic tormentors from State College, a victory is something to be fired up for.