Well, Hello Dere

The Turkey is in Da House

Another Penn State football season is nigh, and this Turkey’s enthusiasm is at an all-time low after last year’s fanless debacle. Aside from Covid fatigue, I got sick and tired of hearing from Facebook idiots that the team was sound but because there we no fans, they couldn’t display their wonderfulness and therefore, sucked as a result. ????? ???? ????

So, now it’s 2021 and we have another Covid surge, which I believe is our perennial destiny. Let us see how well we accommodate it and whether we can get back to some semblance of normalcy on the field of mortal pigskin combat. Thing is, I don’t think that will happen. Too much water under the perverbial (sic) dam or over the proverbial bridge or whatever metaphors you choose to mix. With me, anyway, the potential interest of PSU’s top-ranked 2022 recruiting class is offset by the mediocrity of 2020. That equation yields suckage and ennui as the result for 2021.

I admit it could be due to Covid fatigue. In Florida here, we’re experiencing a significant surge of the Delta variant, which is two steps backward after we thought we could take a step forward. That sucks, and it daunts the spirit. ??? ????? ????? Football doesn’t quite seem as exciting when you must be always looking over your shoulder and fearing gatherings. Yes, I’m vaccinated, and yes, I’m still worried. I’m too old and have too many risk factors to want to deal with even a muted case of the dreaded virus. ??? ???? ?? ?????

How to Assess the 2021 Nittany Lions?

Let’s start with the Coaches’ poll. In an all-time most insignificant pre-season poll, the vaunted coaches dump Dear Old State at the bottom of the Top 20, which after last year’s dismal performance is a gift based on history and reputation. These pre-season polls suck and are never right. They are a fantasy reflecting mostly last year, but as we all know, in college (semi-pro) sports, surprises are the order of the day. So, it is no shock that the usual suspects are at the top, including our Schmuckeye buddies at #4. They’re always #4 in these things.

Other Big Ten “powerhouses” got little respect. None made the Top 10 other than tOSU. Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa all landed with PSU toward the bottom of the Top 20. The coaches pulled this one straight out of their asses but take heart: Northwestern “almost” made the Top 25 with 120 votes while Mighty Michigan got only 30. Those were the only other Big Ten teams receiving votes. Hah! No respect for the Big Ten, which they would seem to regard as tOSU and the Vast Unwashed.

I am clueless. Please help me understand how this season shapes up. I think we’ll all have a clue or two by the time Auburn rolls around whether PSU has any chances at all, but the noon opener at Camp Randall should be revealing. In the meanwhile, I’ll rely on your evaluations to fuel any Turkeyesque optimism (which is an oxymoron).

Hope You’re All Well

In this Covid era, you never know. We’ve all been touched by it, and we all have suffered losses in one way or another. It is my fervent hope that all six of my loyal, dedicated readers are well and looking forward to the forthcoming quixotic season of Penn State football!