Crimson Red Sports

As a columnist for The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa., David Jones has followed the Nittany Lions for 20 years. He agreed to answer five questions about third-ranked Alabama's showdown Saturday at No. 23 Penn State.

    1. Which quarterback gives Penn State the best chance to defeat Alabama?

I go back and forth on this myself. It's not a clear-cut choice both because neither candidate has played more than half a season and because there just isn't much separation between them overall. But I think sophomore Rob Bolden has two advantages in this game: 1. He played the entire contest against the Tide last year; 2. He has shown more austerity and sound judgment when faced with elite defenses. Not that he's been a great playmaker. But against Alabama and Iowa, he showed the ability to ditch a throw under pressure and a reluctance to force balls into traffic. Penn State simply cannot afford knuckleheaded decisions in this game. And McGloin threw a lot of oh-no balls against the two elite-level defenses he faced -- Ohio State and Florida. He's a charismatic leader. But his arm is, unfortunately, not as live as his spirit. This game does not call for a hero. I think it screams for a technician. Bolden might fail but he's the more sensible choice.


    2. In what ways are the Nittany Lions better than the team that lost 24-3 a year ago at Alabama?