Mailbag: Thanks for dealing with me for another week

Thank you for putting up with me for another week.

Now I'm putting up with you. This week's notes from the asylum:

From: Dr. G

Well, at least you admitted it.

"A lot of us have been trying to shoo Paterno out the door for years."

A guy who has given so much to this sport over four decades, who hold the record for I-A wins, and runs a clean, professional and almost consistently high quality program should have never been treated the way he was. I am a PSU alum, and that does make me a homer. I have always been proud, win or lose, of how Paterno takes his role, not only as a coach, but as an educator of men, seriously.

Even in the down days of 2000-2004, Paterno was a class act; positive, and always optimistic, while his detractors called him too old, too predictable and bad for the university. It would be nice to see him win the national championship this year, but as a Paterno fan, I am glad to see him on top, and proving all of the experts wrong.

Here is some advice, use your column to print the news, and maybe give your opinion of what happened. Don't try to shoo a coaching legend, or anyone else out the door again.

Doc:

I'm not the one trying to demonstrate onside kicks and getting trucked on the sideline. Joe's mind might outlast the game, but his body is going to end up in intensive care.

From: Dick

Dennis: Such an interesting dichotomy with respect to all of those in the media who might certainly have to eat some humble pie ... who thought JoePa needed to go.

It would be so sweet for PSU to win the Big Ten, play for the title, possibly win it and at the postgame press conference have JoePa simply state for those who questioned and wrote the remarks to simply KMA and leave the podium. But we all know he has much more class than those sitting in the room.

Richard the Lion Hearted:

"Those sitting in the room" have helped make Joe an icon, put money in his pocket and elevated Penn State to unprecedented fame. This stuff doesn't happen in a vacuum. See how pleased you'd be out your little out-of-the-way U if everyone stopped covering it. Get real, dude.

From: Tony

Dennis, I enjoy reading your articles - if for no other reason, they get me riled up. That said, this is one of the first articles I have seen from anyone in the media all year that is actually fair to Penn State and Joe. The program has struggled at times in recent years and has had its share of off-the-field-issues. However, the attention they have received has been far more critical than that of Oklahoma in the 90's, Miami in the early 90's and even ND now. Thank you for a fair article and for acknowledging that Joe can still coach with anyone in the country.

PS-You on the Bandwagon?:

I get you "riled up"? Just call me Viagra of the Internet.

From: damadbama

Dudd, you should be thankful that CBS hired Gregg Doyel since he is the ONLY reason you aren't the worst writer on this planet. You should take him out for dinner as a thank you. I know that neither of you geeks could get real dates so you should both be available.

Loyal Reader:

Just last week the hotel maid mistook me for Doyel. That was awkward -- and the most glorious two minutes of my life. Forget me not, Lois.

From: Scott

Just wanted to apologize for questioning your opinion of Tyrone Willingham.

You have been proven correct once again! He is an amazing football coach! Notre Dame has egg on its face for letting such a talented head coach go! I guess the Washington fans are reaping the benefits of his skill and knowledge!

Scotty Don't:

While you're at it, thank Neuheisel for betting on NCAA Tournament games. Thank the administration for keeping the facilities antiquated. Thank the thugs won that 2001 Rose Bowl. Thank Jake Locker for injuring his thumb.

Oh, and don't forget to thank president Mark Emmert for getting a head start on the new coaching search. I'm sure he has a short list assembled.

From: Okie8ball

Dennis, Did you really say that Missouri could outscore any team in the nation? If I recall they had pretty much the same offensive machine last year as now, yet OU beat them 41-31 last Oct 13 and, just to make sure it was no fluke, 38-17 on Dec. 1.

Eight Ball:

"Same offensive machine"? Boy, you haven't been watching much football lately. Missouri's 2008 offense makes last year's offense look like this years' Auburn offense.

If that makes sense.

From: Mike

Notre Dame is a fraud. They lost to the only decent team that they have played. Given their cakewalk schedule, they should finish 8-4. Even at 9-3, they have no business even being mentioned for a BCS game.

Anal-yst:

You miss the point. It's not a matter of Notre Dame not deserving a BCS game, it's that they have a clear shot at getting one. Their road is easier than anyone else's Read the story, not want ads.

From: blueandgold

Dennis, No way. Don't you read the schedules? Vandy has the Fightin' Crooms next + Duke + an awful Tennessee. They're going bowling. As for my Irish we might get to 9-3, but that will put us either in the Gator of the Cotton, either of which would be preferable to the BCS. We're a year away.

Vander-built:

I can't believe I'm arguing Vandy's bowl eligibility. That is one subject I didn't think I'd get into this season.

What's next, assembling a list of Lindsay Lohan's BOYfriends?

From: manlybill

what happens if either boise st of the wac and the mwc champion both go undefeated. either byu or utah could go undefeated. boise could easily run the table. three of those teams are ranked and two assuming they go undefeated could end up in the top 12, which is one of the requirements for non-bcs teams not notre dame getting into a BCS bowl. how would the bowls decide between the 2 or would they take both.

Mannish Boy:

There is only one automatic berth for the non-BCS schools. It goes to the highest ranked team (if it's in the top 12 or top 16 if major-conference champion is ranked lower).

Don't expect a second team to get a shot. A second non-BCS team would be eligible at-large if it finishes in the top 14 but don't expect two non-BCS teams to get in. The bowls would likely take a second team from one of the power conferences before it takes Boise State. It's just good business for the bowls. Boise State, in that scenario, would be old news.

From: Matthew

Next thing we know, he'll be telling us that foul-mouthed Charlie Weis is a better image than Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson, who allows no cursing in practice or games, or that ND's annual schedule of Army, Navy, Air Force is as tough as the SEC East. Yeah, right.

Matty Ice:

Or that Vanderbilt is actually going to win the SEC East...

From: Will

Vandy would absolutely whoop Notre Dame's ass. That's all I have to say to you.

Billiam:

Vandy first has to get to a bowl.

From: Anonymous

Did you use somnambulant correctly?

Yawn:

I don't know. I was asleep when I wrote it.