ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Cleaning out the mailbag on a gloomy afternoon in Columbus.

Matt from Pittsburgh writes: It seems like with this weekend's PSU-OSU matchup, everyone talks about OSU potentially being in the national championship game if they win (despite still having a loss on their record). On the other hand, if PSU wins, people seem to think they still won't have the credibility to top Texas and Alabama. By most accounts (those that I've read, watched, etc.) this game has potential to prove OSU is good if they win over a solid team, but if that solid team (PSU) wins it just proves that OSU is bad (and not that PSU is good). What gives?

Adam Rittenberg: Even if the Buckeyes win, they would need so many things to happen to get to the national title game. Penn State, on the other hand, would only need to win the rest of its games and have either Texas or Alabama lose (pretty good odds there). Ohio State won't jump ahead of USC unless the Trojans lose again, and their remaining schedule is hardly daunting. Ohio State benefits from the fact its loss happened early and its best player (Chris "Beanie" Wells) wasn't available. But the margin of defeat really stings. Penn State should be fine if it runs the table.

Brian from Baltimore: Is Daryll Clark an NFL talent at QB? Or will he suffer the same fate as Michael Robinson (converted into a RB)?

Adam Rittenberg: Clark has excellent size, and if he continues to develop as a passer, he'll get an extended look as a pro quarterback. Robinson was a few inches shorter and did most of his damage with his feet, so a position switch seemed almost inevitable. Clark has the rest of this season and next year to prove himself as a quarterback, but he could be switched to wide receiver at the next level.

Jay from Washington, D.C., writes: Hey Adam, do you see any way that if Texas, Bama, and PSU keep winning that PSU jumps Bama? I'm thinking of any possible scenario involving too many close games for Bama, and some love for JoePa from the pollsters (like Tom Osbourne in 1994)?

Adam Rittenberg: Jay, I had been giving this question a lot of thought before you posed it. My sense is that even if Penn State continues to torch its opponents, Alabama would get the nod because going undefeated in the SEC is so rare. This is where conference strength would hurt Penn State. Besides Ohio State, the rest of the Big Ten doesn't hold much weight nationally, while the SEC remains stocked with well-respected teams. Though it seems unfair that a dominant team would be passed over for a one that squeaks by every week, it probably will happen.

Mike from Indiana writes: Adam, been loving the frequent updates on the blog! My question for you today is what would be your input on IU blitzing Mayberry a lot more since Middleton and Kirlew, the defensive ends haven't been getting to the QB lately? The next question has been roaming around quite a lot lately about Mayberry maybe leaving after this year to display his talent at the next level. Even though his stats aren't the best in the nation, I still think it would be pretty hard to pass up on his athleticism and future impact on an NFL team. I'm very interested in this topic because he has been drawing reviews similar to Lawrence Timmons.

Adam Rittenberg: Greg Middleton has really been contained this season, though Jammie Kirlew is performing pretty well. Indiana needs Matt Mayberry in run support, so the coaches should be a little hesitant about blitzing him. Indiana has been susceptible to big plays, and Mayberry's speed is important to chase down ball-carriers who get into the open field. As for leaving early, I don't see it. He's only started for one year -- on a bad team, no less -- and could another season of, well, seasoning.

Dan from Parts Unknown writes: Yo Adam! Sorry if you've already answered this, and I just missed it, but I was wondering if you shared the same views as I did on Iowa. That view being: I think they are a boiling pot of talent and definately have the potential to run the table and end up being nationally noteworthy. Is this accurate, or am I totally just wishfully building up a "so-so" team in the overall scheme of things? Be honest!

Adam Rittenberg: Yo Dan! Iowa could do some serious damage down the stretch, especially if Shonn Greene continues to produce at such a high rate. I wouldn't call the Hawkeyes "a boiling pot of talent," but Greene certainly fits that description. If Ricky Stanzi develops more at quarterback and the defense avoids major injuries, Iowa will be tough to beat the rest of the way. I love the fundamental play of the defensive front, led by tackle Mitch King.

Derek from Delaware, Ohio, writes: In one of the recent blog entries you indicated that "Penn State doesn't carry the same big-game stigma as Ohio State. Joe Paterno wins bowl games -- an NCAA-record 23, to be exact -- and his teams have prevailed in five of the last six postseason appearances and nine of 11 bowls as a member of the Big Ten." The stigma is solely the result of the most recent opportunities. If you would like to look at Jim Tressel's OSU teams as a whole they have won 3 BCS games and lost 2...it's just that they have been the most recent 2 that they lost. Additionally, the "big game" perception is only looking at the recent ones...can not forget their success in their biggest game each season or the games that have been seen as big games at the time they were played. At Texas in 2006, at Iowa 2006, At Penn State 2007 etc...it's a shame that Big Ten fans and those assigned to work for the conference have fallen into the the rest of the country's perception.

Adam Rittenberg: People have short memories, Derek, and the way Ohio State lost the last two national title games is fresh in their minds. Tressel is following the same path as Bob Stoops -- great in big games early in his career, but struggling recently. He certainly deserves a ton of credit for dominating the Big Ten and winning some big regular-season games, but this is an instant-gratification society and Ohio State needs a bowl win this year. Oh, and I don't work for the Big Ten. I just write about Big Ten football.

Poorya from Washington, D.C., writes: Was Michigan State's embarrassing loss last week the beginning of another second-half implosion from the Spartans? Especially given the mileage already put on Javon Ringer and the late-season matchup with Penn State, will they be able to right the ship and finish strong, or will it be the same old story?

Adam Rittenberg: It might be, but my sense is Michigan State will rebound against archrival Michigan. You're right that Ringer looks to be slowing down, and if the passing game doesn't get going, the offense will struggle. But this team has played smart, disciplined football for most of the year and should be able to regain those traits in a big game. Coach Mark Dantonio will have his team emotionally prepared for Saturday's game, but there's certainly a historical component the Spartans need to overcome.