Paranormal State College

Yinzers,

Please, remain calm...it's SCARY out there. Halloween has descended its zombified hand upon the town of State College. This weekend is one of the larger, social weekends at the nation's #1 party school. Even during class this entire week, I passed peers who have been gearing up for the day of the dead. Painted faces, dyed hair, and the buzz of "What costume will I wear this weekend" have clouded the already cloudy weather in State College. As with in years past, I expect to see a ton of boob-age this weekend strolling down the street, considering Halloween has turned from an innocent dress-up holiday for children to an "it's ok to look like a whore" day (not that I'm complaining). However, the award for "Best Costume Idea" goes to my room mate, Capitan, for his idea of a costume depicting "a naive asshole" by simply wearing a Snuggie. But there are other things this weekend.


This week, your Nittany Lions travel to Chicago, home of Zalinski Auto Parts, to take on the Wildcats of Northwestern. N-dub comes into the contest at 5-3 (2-2) behind a pass-heavy offense and a runningback-by-committee backfield. Northwestern marquee wins came at Purdue, who upset the Ohio State Chokeyes and at home against Indiana. On paper this season, all fingers point to Penn State to blow this one out of the water. Northwestern's greatest strength has been 3rd down conversions, where they are ranked 6th in the nation clicking at 51.1%. If they want to send even a cool breeze across the necks of Penn State, they will need to feed off of the hometown purple passion and convert every 3rd down they get.


Even if, somehow, zombies erupt from the bowels of Hell in an attempt to spite the Glory of Old State, you cannot compete with the defense at Linebacker U. The #12 Penn State Nittany Lions comes into week 9 of the football season boasting a record of 7-1 (3-1) and the 4th and 9th ranked rush and pass defenses, respectively allowing 79.8 rushing yards per game and 160.5 passing yards per game. The Lions are also ranked nationally in the top 5 in pass efficiency defence (4th @ 91.7), total defense (3rd @ 240.3 ypg), scoring defense (1st @ 8.9 ppg), penalty yards per game (4th @ 35.9 ypg), red zone defense (1st @ 59% stops), and third down conversions (3rd @ 53.6%). All the Nittany Lions have to do is play their game and not give Northwestern the ball on turnovers.


If you are partaking in this weekend's frightful Halloween activities, don't give in to the dark side. Have fun being someone else this weekend. Party hard and get home safe.

For the Glory,
B Brog