The Steelers should donate their paychecks to charity this week, because they certainly didn’t earn them against Jacksonville. Talk about laying an egg. The Jaguars got everyone’s attention when they hammered Baltimore in London. Still, this was a game for the taking for the Steelers and just like they did in Chicago a few weeks ago, they didn’t even show up. Instead of being 4-1, the Steelers are now 3-2. Mike Tomlin will again be criticized for not having his team ready to play. The criticism will certainly be valid.
• It’s still hard for me to believe Ben Roethlisberger threw five interceptions against Jacksonville, and that two were returned for touchdowns. Oh, and let’s not forget Big Ben didn’t even throw a touchdown pass. Number 7 has had some bad days in his long career. This has to rank among the worst. Roethlisberger’s body language told the story all day. He simply didn’t have his Wheaties, and looked like a 35 yard old quarterback. This was supposed to be the year the Steelers averaged thirty points on offense. Thus far, the offense has been a disappointment, and the veteran quarterback has been off. If the Steelers want to get to another Super Bowl, their quarterback had better step up.
• IUP had lost ten of the past thirteen games to rival California entering the Coal Bowl. This time around, the Crimson Hawks were clearly the better team. IUP’s dynamic offense, led by Superman-like Lenny Williams, was again fun to watch. The win sets up a big showdown with Slippery Rock on the road next week. If IUP wins that one, and I’m saying they will, the Crimson Hawks will most likely run the table.
• Penn State had little trouble with Northwestern in a game that I thought would be a test for the Nittany Lions. The bright spot was Nittany Lions’ ever improving defense. They played great. The Lions’ offense couldn’t run the ball, but put on a clinic in the passing game. Good win for Penn State as they head into their bye week.
• Penn State’s Saquon Barkley will not win the Heisman Trophy if he continues to have trouble compiling rushing yards. That’s not on Barkley, but rather his offensive line. Northwestern did a fabulous job in containing Barkley, who is clearly the most dynamic offensive player in college football. I think Barkley needs big games against upcoming opponents Michigan and Ohio State if he is going to win college football’s highest prize. It’s up to his offensive line to make that happen.
• Pitt is a mess. The Panthers lost at Syracuse and are now 2-4 overall and winless in ACC play. What’s more, starting quarterback Max Browne was hurt. This figured to be a rebuilding year for the Panthers. Instead, it’s become a nightmare of a season.
• The Pens sure had an up and down opening week. They lost the opener at home on a night they raised their fifth championship banner and then gave up ten goals in a terrible loss to Chicago in the Windy City. It wasn’t the start we expected from the Pens, that’s for sure. But just when it looked like the Penguins were suffering from a Stanley Cup hangover, they returned home and played terrific against last year’s Cup Finals opponent, Nashville. That’s life in the NHL. It’s a long season that is going to be filled with ups and downs. The first week of the season proved that.
• RIP Tom Petty. One of the great rock and rollers of all time has left us too soon. Petty got to play a Super Bowl halftime show, the ultimate honor these days. He was saluted in his hometown of Gainesville during the Florida Gators’ game against LSU. His music will live forever. Tom Petty, you will be missed!
