An Open Letter To Alabama Fans: A Nittany Lion Perspective
by Jeff Junstrom on Sep 2, 2010 5:47 PM CDT
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PrintDear Alabama Fan,
In two days, each of our teams will take the field to open the 2010 college football season. About effing time, amiright? While Alabama plays host to the mighty Spartans of Michigan State San Jose State, my beloved Nittany Lions will find themselves in an epic battle against the Youngstown State Penguins, best known as That Place Jim Tressel Left For Ohio State. If either team wins by less than 28 points, I will lose a certain amount of faith (and likely money). I wish you luck on 9/4, but more than that, I wish you luck on 9/11 as well.
For us, Hate Week starts immediately following the previous game. Right now, we're knuckle deep in hating the hell out of Youngstown State, but rest assured Hate Week: Alabama will soon be upon us. And it could not come soon enough. Not because I actually hate your team, your university, or your fans.
Other than hating out of envy, how can you hate the reigning national champion? You possess the crystal that everyone else covets, and for that, I cannot fault you. I respect that, and would like nothing more than to take it from you.
I've never been to your university, but I've got no reason to believe it's anything less than a stellar institution of higher learning.
I don't hate your fans; in fact, I have nothing but good things to say about the RBR staff. I've worked with outsidethesidelines (who was an immense help here); I've traded emails with Todd and kleph about potentially doing some joint work next week; and I've enjoyed Nico's posts over at BSD.
As is typical with devout fanbases, there are certainly persons on both sides that do not represent the entire community. You WILL run into these people at some point next week, and I WILL see them next year when the game comes to Happy Valley. Please do not think we are all like the blackmarks you interact with. Essentially, I just want to tell you that most Nittany Lions, while wishing you losses in two games over the next two seasons, are simultaneously excited and scared to play you, but have respect for you at the same time. I know I've got that excited scared feeling. It's like 98% excited, 2% scared. Or maybe it's 98% scared, 2% excited. But that's what makes it so intense. It's so confused; I can't really figure it out.
So as Hate Week: Alabama dawns, and I'm forced to Hate Mark Ingram (whom I seriously hope is recovered by gametime; I want Alabama at full strength) and Nick Saban and Trent Richardson and Julio Jones, please accept our wishes of a safe, hard fought game that is ONE FOR THE AGES.
Check in at Black Shoe Diaries and SBN: Pittsburgh for our previews/analyses/etc., bring your smack talk, and prepare for battle. Keep your trolling to a minimum and we'll try to do the same.
Huzzah, and WE ARE! PENN STATE!
PSUJunny05
FanPosts are just that; posts created by the fans. They are in no way indicative of the opinions of SBN and the authors of Roll Bama Roll.
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Next week will be the first game
That I have not rooted for Penn State. Nothing but respect for the tradition, the coach, and the fanbase. After next week, it will be the same.
"Only the strong survive, but the strong still get their ass whipped." -Nick Saban
should be fun, i apparently have like 10 penn state folks staying at my house that weekend, hope ya’ll can handle your liquor
towerofbammer.com
by Alabama ManDance on Sep 2, 2010 7:11 PM CDT reply actions
I might be hosting some PSUscum Friends
during the game. It will be fun. I have fond memories of a rivalry long overdue to be rekindled.
"Some people have a way with words....some people....not have way." - Steve Martin
post fail
scum was supposed to be struck
"Some people have a way with words....some people....not have way." - Steve Martin
Funny thing
I don’t know any Bama people that have anything but respect for PSU. We want to win in the worst way but I don’t think PSU fans will find much to complain about regarding Bama fans. And, I’m not expecting PSU fans to be rude, disrespectful of Coach Bryant, hateful etc.
AS LONG AS you don’t make excuses we won’t make excuses. I didn’t like Texas much before the NCG, and afterwards I have just one thing to say “Boomer Sooner.”
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
Respect for the Nitty Kitties
All the love: JoePa is a class act, has always done everything the right way (well, except hating young players and running it the-fuck-up in 1994). Love th fans, the tradition, the transcendental nature of the UA-PSU games.
That said,
not safe for work outside of Beverly Hills
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Sep 2, 2010 9:23 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Good win tonight
for you guys.
But as far as PSU I actually hope it is not a classic. I’d like a 42-14 Bama win if at all possible and that is not a classic, unless you call it a classic beat down. But, I’m sure it will be hard fought.
(By the way I’m not expecting to blow out PSU, I just to. I think it will be within 10 pts. one way or the other.)
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
I liked the win
We gave them far too many chances with penalties and fumbles, played the entire game on our side of the field or close to it (their field position had ours by about 15 yards all night), and they had the ball for ten more minutes than we did. They didn’t get 1oo yards on the ground, had only 160 yards in the fourth quarter, and we won the game in spite of all those problems.
I am far less concerned about our defense after being hung out to dry all night and only blowing a couple plays. It’s consistency I’d like to see.
I want an Alabama win, hope y’all aren’t overlooking the mighty Spartans . . .
Congrats MeanBob
Huge win to start the season for y’all. I guess my only question would be is Utah underrated or was Pitt overrrated? Either way congrats to y’all and good luck the rest of the season. I can’t wait to see Utah play in the PAC-X next season.
a little of both?
Both teams made some mistakes, though some of that could be attributed to first game jitters, just working out the kinks. The Utah defense mostly looked pretty good, and the offense was finding some rhythm as well but I don’t know how much of that should be attributed to Pitt’s secondary.
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Sep 3, 2010 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Sal Sunsuri's son was the QB for Pitt Right
I was rooting for the Utes Bob glad you got the win.
by chinesedentist on Sep 3, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
yeah
I like the Utes but I wanted him to do well. He showed some signs he can be good but just made way too many mistakes. Hopefully he can get a lot out of some more experience.
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Sep 3, 2010 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
He came into a loud, hostile place and started off throwing the ball. He showed poise and a decent arm, I like him.
As for whether or not they are over rated, I’d say that it seems most of the Big East starts slow. People do not know how hard it is to fly into that elevation and play in teh desert, and just how damned loud that stadium is.
First game, you know we smacked their asses for three quarters and they never crumpled so I think they have the character to show up and play this year. Their secondary looked bad, but part of that was our O line kept their studs form sacking Wynn and he had enough time to pick em apart. Love our depth on the lines. Love it.
I'm Bama and the Sec first
But I wouldn’t have any qualms whatsoever to see PSU on top again. Nothing but respect for JoPa and the program. Good luck in everything else AFTER the 11th.
Have a Crimson Tide Day!
Roll Tide, Saban Tsunami Roll!
it's been awhile since we've got our hate on for PSU
so i’ve lined up some experts to help us get back into the groove of it next week.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Oh snap!
Looking forward to it. I guess I’ll have to round up as many of the players from the 1990 team as I can.
/runs away, ensuring last word
@EpicTripod
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Sep 3, 2010 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions
I feel the same way..
There are gonna be asshats on both side but I think by in large this will be a classy affair. I hope you can stop by Egans on the strip. I will be tending bar from the early morning on. We have a rule about being respectful and its sort of the thinking mans dive bar. So if you know of people looking for a place to not get hassled send them over. We just want a good game and to have fun.
by chinesedentist on Sep 3, 2010 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Unfortunately, I will be watching the game from the comfort of a bar in Pittsburgh.
There have been plenty of posts over at BSD by Tide and Nittany Lion fans (originally from or currently living in/near Tuscaloosa) about where to drink, so I’m sure you’ll get your fair share of Lions.
For those coming to Happy Valley next year, we will happily reciprocate any hospitality shown. I do not bartend, nor do I know the current bartenders in State College. But I will buy you a pitcher of Miller Lite (IT’LL GET YA DRUNK!) and regale you with stories of football past.
@EpicTripod
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Sep 3, 2010 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Nice...
That should be awesome.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Sep 3, 2010 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
As I was...
…trading salvos with a Miami fan last night, my son asked about the hypocrisy involved in my insistence the he be kind to people and my decidedly unkind words to my “U” friend.
I explained to him that first of all, Momma is always right. Then I let him know that football hate is built on respect, and that, in the case of football, all “kindness” bets are off. As long as you’re willing to take what you dish out and don’t ever get your feelings hurt. And that win or lose, you’re a good sport.
I appreciate this post. I feel like the RBR readers and the BSD readers are all good sports, and that we all hope for a magnificent hard-fought battle on 9/11.
And I hope my team kicks the s#$t out of your team.
by Queen of the Universe on Sep 3, 2010 9:50 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I'm looking forward to it as well
I’ve always liked PSU and really enjoyed the games we played in the 80’s. Always seems to be a classy affair and there is no better looking football game than watching Bama and PSU uniforms on the same field. If that doesn’t just scream “Old School Football”, nothing does. Like 5026 mentioned, I don’t know any Bama fans that have anything but respect for you guys. Well, other than that you are a bunch of Yankees. (I’m married to a yankee, so I’m just kidding, of course. We call it a ‘mixed-marriage’. Ha).
Good luck to you folks as well!
"I have tried to teach them to show class, to have pride, and to display character. I think football, winning games, takes care of itself if you do that." -Paul W. Bryant
In my 41 years of life,
I have never missed a Bama/PSU game in the state of Alabama..and, as of last night, that tradition will continue, due to the grace of an old family friend. So, instead of coming to T-town for SJSU, I’ll be at BDS for Penn State!
I can’t wait….and the PSU fans seem to have a better vibe to them than you’re average fan. A game for the ages is coming, I can feel it.
"...because you've got your mind right, and that's the way we like it." Nick Saban
I've always respected Joe Pa.
Great to see a long overdue rivalry rekindled.A lot of respect to each programs.I’m sure Coach Paterno has some great story’s to tell of Coach Bryant.
Yeah especially since
Coach Bryant was 4-0 against Joe Pa.
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
Okay I'm confused.
Are we supposed to be hating on Penn State fans or blowing them?
Being good has nothing to do with it, Mikey. They choose your name randomly out of the phonebook.
Well I know which one I'd prefer!
@EpicTripod
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Sep 4, 2010 7:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Could you please not talk while I'm doing this.
If I'm wearing a turban, it means Auburn is playing Iraq.
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