SILVER LINING

Back in August, Penn State fans envisioned that the Lions' game against Michigan State this weekend would be nothing more than a coronation. Beating the Spartans would be the final touch on a sparkling undefeated season that landed Penn State back in Pasadena. Instead, after a season that has been devoid of impressive wins and signature moments, the game is a chance to beat a bowl-eligible team, perhaps earn a share of the conference title and strengthen the Lions' shaky BCS resume. Still, despite falling short of expectations, this season has been a fun one for Penn State and its fans. Each week, the Blue and White faithful not only live and die with each down for their team, but have had a rooting interest in so many otherwise unimportant games.

Consider for a moment the position of a Florida Gators fan (one of my good friends is such a person and gave me the idea for this post). He's enjoyed his program's greatest success the last few years, celebrating two national titles and a 20-game winning streak. He's seen his Gators pulverize the rest of the SEC while being the favorite every time they take the field. Heading into this season, the Gators were easily the top-ranked team in the nation and have known that regardless of what every other team in the country does, all it has to do is win. The only scoreboard that has to be tracked is the one that says "U of F" on it. Sure, it's fun to see if rivals win or lose and the Gator Nation was more than a little curious as to whom it would play in the conference championship game, but outside of those few contests, every other game was completely ancillary.

I am not saying that I wouldn't rather have a Penn State team that was 10-0 right not and ranked first, but given what the Lions are in 2009, I am happy that I get to cheer for all hell to break loose every Saturday. I remember rooting hard against Ole Miss when it was ranked ahead of Penn State and lost on the road to South Carolina, only to freeze in the rain while Penn State blew a fourth quarter lead to Iowa two nights later. Then, as Penn State put together its five-game winning streak, I started to cheer hard against the remaining unbeatens, hoping they would fall back to the Lions and allow Penn State to have an argument to be included in the discussion for the national title. Now, with a possible quarter-share of the Big Ten championship at stake this weekend and a shot at a second-straight BCS berth, this weekend's games will have me glued to my set.

Right now, I am watching Colorado try to hang on for the upset against Oklahoma State, a win that would greatly improve Penn State's chances for a BCS game. I will also, as always, be cheering hard against that four-letter word from western Pennsylvania as it takes on West Virginia and Cincinnati. I'll wish for Utah State to upend Boise State, Minnesota to take down Iowa and Michigan to beat Ohio State. If Penn State were 11-0, I wouldn't care nearly as much about these games, although I would have plane tickets to Pasadena.

There's no arguing that having Penn State in the race for the national title isn't a better scenario than having it fighting for its BCS life, but there's something to be said for how much more invested fans are in all the other games when the Lions need help to get where they're going.