It’s that time of year kids. Football starts tonight which means it is time for two things. 1. Rooting for Marshall against Ohio State tonight and 2. Another edition of the Blue/White Roundtable. Each week we’ll team up with bloggers all around the Penn State blogosphere to get their views on the pressing questions going into the coming game. Since we don’t know too much about the team yet we’re addressing some general questions. Each week a different blogger will ask the questions and it just so happens I got lucky. Well I volunteered, but you get the idea. Lets get down to it.

1.This offseason seems to have more storylines than usual, quarterbacking issues, and Joe’s age aside what is the first thing you’ll be looking for come Saturday?

I guess this question sort of answered itself with Robert Bolden being named the starter, but for me the big key is the same today as it was yesterday. The offensive line. If Bolden gets time to pass and Roysterhas big enough holes to run through all bets are off. The least glamorous position on the field is the most important. If Wiz can get his line together I like our chances this season. It’d also be cool if the special teams didn’t suck.

Ok deep breath. Robert Bolden is the starting quarterback, the 2011 schedules have been released, and the Big Ten divisions have been unveiled. If you’ve got a headache you aren’t the only one so lets break it down for you in a straightforward way that will make you the most informed guy at the watercooler.

First off, let’s get down to the actual divisions, they’ll be named soon, but for right now they’re X, and O. These divisions were created on the basis of three factors: ensuring competitive equality, maintaining rivalries, and securing geographical boundaries. These divisions will only apply to football and Delany stated that sports like basketball will be on their own but will most likely stay as they are.

So what will happen now?

• Each team will play all of the teams in their division.
• There is a protected crossover game each year. In Penn State’s case they will play Nebraska each year.
• There are two rotating crossover games. These are two teams from the opposite division that Penn State will play for two years and then rotate out. For 2011 and 2012 these teams will be Northwestern and Iowa. In 2013 these teams will change. These games will count in divisional standings.
• Delany says record within a division will determine a 3-team tie. BCS rankings would be next step, but those details have yet to be figured out.
• The Big Ten likely will go to nine conference games beginning in 2015, at which time it could add a second protected crossover game and preserve more rivalries. But league commissioner Jim Delany gave no indication on the Big Ten Network that a second protected crossover is coming.

Sorry for being late with this guys.  Busy week as school just started, and getting acclimated again.  But without further (French word which I don’t know how to spell), here is Penn State Recruiting 9/1/10

-Tre Mason [RB from Florida] says he wants to make an earlier decision, probably sometime during the season.  Right now, Penn State, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss are his Top Three.  Penn State, obviously, is still looking good on this one.

-Anthony Wallace [LB from Texas] has gotten an offer from Penn State.  Big time kid from a big time school.  A few months ago, he mentioned in an interview he wanted to hear from Penn State, but nothing transpired until now.  There is mutual interest, but not sure how much.  Ohio State offered recently, and bolted into his Top 3 so we’ll see what happens.  More to come on him next week when we have some answers.

-Quinten Pompey [DT from Florida] has gotten an offer from Penn State as well.  He plays for Manatee, which just played on ESPN against Plant on Friday Night.  His profile on Rivals says 6′3 250.  Penn State is his first offer, but reports are his grades were really bad the last few years, and his attitude off the field wasn’t great either.  Supposedly, things are better now.  As his coaches are saying his attitude has been very good, and that his grades should pick up.  Another recruit who I’m not totally sure on, as the offer was just sent out.  More coming next week as well.

Those aren’t mistypes either…Florida and Texas.  Why we are going in there?  Who knows, but hopefully it leads to more PSU recruiting in those states.

**Penn State has confirmed this report**

According to sources close to the Penn State program Robert Bolden will start this weekend against Youngstown State. Keeping the news under the radar during the announcement of the Big Ten divisions is just another great move by Joe Paterno. This story goes from being the biggest news of the week to a footnote on the BTN ticker. No pressure from the media to answer questions, and a lot less pressure on a young quarterback.

Two sources close to the Penn State program told The Patriot-News that true freshman Robert Bolden has been named the starting quarterback for the Nittany Lions’ season opener with Youngstown State Saturday at Beaver Stadium. One source said all three quarterbacks were informed of the decision prior to today but were told to keep quiet.

Bolden brings all of the right tools to the table, advanced footwork, passing ability, and the skill to make plays with his feet. While Bolden will be thrown into the fire and forced to learn quickly, his mental attitude and physical ability will be his crutch while growing as a player and a leader.

Joe Paterno reaction–

“Based on what we have seen to this point, Bolden has a slight edge right now, but we are confident all three quarterbacks are ready to go and hope to give them an opportunity to play until we settle on the one that gives us the best chance to win,” Paterno said.

Paterno said his three young quarterbacks: Bolden, sophomore Matt McGloin (Scranton, Pa.) and sophomore Kevin Newsome (Portsmouth, Va.), would be listed 1A, 1B and 1C on the depth chart at this point and all still have the opportunity to earn the starting nod on a regular basis

At this point you’ve read 300 articles about Robert Bolden, Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin. The situation has been hashed and rehashed from every possible angle and everybody and their brother has told you why player X is going to get the job. Have no fear though, we’ve rounded up two of the many minds in the Penn State blogosphere to figure out some of the possible outcomes to the quarterback debacle. The best part, we’ll know if we were wrong or not in 2-3 weeks. These two had so much to say we’ll post our own views later in the day.

Up first–Devon from NittanyWhiteOut.com

If I’m Joe Paterno, I’m looking at the Youngstown State game mainly as preparation for Alabama.  And when I look at Alabama, I know that the only way we’re going to win is by making as few mistakes as possible.  A freshman like Robert Bolden would be easily rattled, and Kevin Newsome, talented though he is, might be the most prone to making a poor decision.  So if Matt McGloin is going to give Penn State the best chance to knock off Alabama–and by all accounts, he is, with not just a “game manager” mentality but also the “it factor” and confidence to command the huddle–you’ve got to give him the bulk of the playing time against Youngstown State.  

At some point in the day this word….here…will be a link to the full transcript of today’s press conference but until then we’ve got some quick hits for you. That’s the most important part anyway.

• 2010 Capitans are Brett Brackett and Olli Ogbu–Brackett is a good locker-room player, while he doesn’t get much if any media attention he is the sort of player you want on your team.
• Chaz Powell has been moved back to offense–This move only surprising because he was listed as a starting cornerback just 3 days ago on the newest depth chart. He however was mostly in that spot to cover for a banged up Stephon Morris. With Morris coming back from injurt he ought to be more useful on offense. His move to defense was mostly an insurance policy on the secondary incase Morris and Lynn didn’t progress on track. So on the whole Powell’s move back to offense is a good sign.
• That Quarterback issue– Joe says he hasn’t decided yet and should know by tomorrow night. No indication if he’ll tell anyone tomorrow night, but he’ll know.
• Stephfon Green injured–He has recurrence of neck injury he had in high school. Status for opener is uncertain
• Paul Jones had some academic issues–Which is why the coaches are planning to redshirt him.

We’ll put a transcript link up later but these were the big bits of news.

In a statement released by the Alabama football program today Mark Ingram will be listed as week-to-week after having an arthroscopic procedure Tuesday morning. Ingram suffered a knee injury late in Monday’s practice, and has been ruled out for Saturday night’s season opener against San Jose State. With Ingram sidelined, No. 1 Alabama will rely on Trent Richardson, who ran 145 times for 751 yards with eight touchdowns in 2009.

Take that as you will. Richardson is no Ingram, but many Alabama sources claim that Richardson has the making of a back as good, if not better than Ingram so Penn State won’t get off easy.