SIGNS POINT TO VICTORY

There are signs everywhere around us. These visible and invisible signs constantly overtake our lives, telling us how to drive, when to walk, when we’re getting sick, and when not to masturbate into Michigan’s plumbing system. But for the most part, we’ve been taught to ignore them, or at least brush them off.

Like last weekend when you were on your 11th beer during the Wisconsin game and you started feeling that nauseous feeling in your stomach? That was a sign that you were going to vomit that night into your neighbors porch swing, a sign that many of us ignored as we cracked our 12th beer.

You see, it’s due to the sheer convenience of blocking out these signs that we’ve managed to put ourselves in potentially damaging situations, whether it be legally, physically or mentally.

That’s why I’m writing this post. I want to bring signs back into your life. There are signs everywhere pointing to a big win over Michigan this weekend, and you’ve probably been ignoring them all week.

SIGN #1

• Kerry Collins is the starting quarterback on the only undefeated team in the NFL (Tennessee Titans). You may remember that the last time Collins was the quarterback of an undefeated team this late in the season; it was the 1994 Nittany Lions. That year he broke Penn State season records for total offense (2,660), completions (176), passing yardage (2,679), completion percentage (66.7), yards per attempt (10.15) and passing efficiency (172.86).

• When Collins faced off against Michigan in the 1994 season, the Lions were ranked 3rd in Nation. Which, uncoincidentally, is their current ranking coming into Saturday’s contest. The Lions also finished that year undefeated.

Sign? I think yes.

SIGN #2

• This isn’t your normal Michigan team. Aside from their Wisconsin comeback feat, Michigan has looked more like their sister school a few miles east of campus, Eastern Michigan University (which uncoincidentally has the same amount of wins as the Wolverines…2).

• They’ve given up an average of 24.8 points per game against a schedule that includes, Utah, Miami of Ohio, Toledo and Notre Dame. They gave up 45 points and a record 431 total yards to Juice Williams two weeks ago. The last time the Wolverines played Penn State while giving up an average of over 24.8 points per game? 1996. The last time PSU has beaten Michigan? November 16, 1996.

Sign? I think yes.

SIGN #3

• Senior Wide Receiver Jordan Norwood is due to have a huge game on Saturday. After missing two games due to injury, Norwood returned last week against Wisconsin and had only 3 catches, but racked up 59 total yards, bringing his season total to 21 receptions for 377 yards and 4 touchdowns. Norwood is leading the Lions with an average of 18.0 yards per catch. Michigan’s secondary, which has been hurt by the big play all year, is giving up an average of 241.7 passing yards a game. Norwood should have no trouble getting free behind the linebackers all evening on Saturday.

Sign? Maybe not, but it’s a good thing.

SIGN #4

• Last night during the MNF telecast on ESPN, there was an interview segment where Braylon Edwards (Michigan class of 2004) spoke about what it would mean for the Browns to beat the Giants. Well they did beat the Giants, however....Edwards was wearing a Penn State shirt during the interview. Now after some swift investigating by myself and Tim Metzger, Edwards either lost a bet to the sole Penn State alum on the Browns, Joe Jurevicius (class of 1997), or is just showing his disgust with the start to the Rodriguez era in Michigan. Either way, he clearly is predicting the winner of this weekend's game at Beaver Stadium.

Sign? I think yes.


SIGN #5

• Tom Hanks was stuck on an island for 1500 straight days, and although he lost some of his sanity to a volleyball named Wilson, he still remembered that Michigan still sucks.

Sign? I think yes.

Be on the lookout this week as more signs that point to a Penn State victory this weekend present themselves. I’ll be on the lookout as well, and will certainly bring them to you.