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44 Eastern Michigan
Of all the direction Michigan schools, this one is one of the most improved. As in, they’re not horrible anymore. By Devon Edwards
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58 Purdue
The biggest news out of Purdue’s latest head coach is that he doesn’t sport a moustache. Think about that for a minute. Anyway, the Boilermakers should be decent. By Ben Scaff
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78 Things You Can Do with a Tight End.
Just how many “A.K.A’s” can one college football team have? Bill O’Brien’s Tight End U. aims to find out. By Ben Scaff
45 Central Florida
Faugh an Beallach! O’Brien meets O’Leary in a precursor to next year’s game in Dublin. By Cari Greene
60 Nebraska
Matt Lehman crossed the plane before he fumbled. Aside from that, Nebraska could come into Beaver Stadium vying for a conference title. By Ace Anbender
SECTION 4: DEAR OLD WHITE AND BLUE
Enough with the Xs and Os. Now it’s about the heart and soul of Penn State, this year’s team, and the culture and future of college football.
46 Kent State
Isn’t the non-conference schedule supposed to be somewhat easy? KSU won’t be a pushover. By Dan Vecellio
86 There is Only One Linebacker U.
When the world ends, two things will remain: cockroaches, and Penn State’s reputation as the only true “Linebacker U.” By Adam Collyer
62 Wisconsin
What will we do with ourselves now that Bert ran off to the SEC? By Devon Edwards
47 Indiana
The Hoosiers’ defense is just so bad, even when it’s improved. The offense should provide some fireworks, especially against teams with less-than-stellar defenses. By Ace Anbender
SECTION 3: TECHNICAL DOSSIER
Features highlighting Penn State’s new-look offense, what needs to be done with the roster during the sanctions, and how “Linebacker U.” will have some company as a Penn State nickname.
90 ‘LOL’ in the Time of Triplett
Sixty years after retiring from football, Wally Triplett looks back on what made it all special, and why he can keep smiling through good times and bad. By Ben Jones
48 Michigan
The Wolverines haven’t faced the Nittany Lions since Matt McGloin’s coming out party in 2010. But Rich Rod is gone, and Michigan is better— much better—for it. By Seth Fisher
66 The Numbers Game.
Even the stats agree, Bill O’Brien is not your typical former New England Patriots offensive coordinator. By Chase Stuart
94 To Hell and Back
Sam Ficken went from the Goat of September to the Hero of November. By Ben Jones
52 Ohio State
And we all thought Jim Tressel was bad? Urban Meyer has brought everything we hate about the SEC to the Big Ten. By Ace Anbender
98 We Were. We Are.
College football is at a crossroads, and a path forward might be found in the lessons learned form Penn State’s recent troubles. By Tim Hyland
70 Go for it, BO’B!.
Bill O’Brien’s acquired aggressiveness on 4th down may have excited fans, but it meant a whole lot more to the 2012 team than just emotion—it meant more points on the board. By Ben Scaff
104 Twenty B1G Ones
As Penn State enters its 20th season of Big Ten football, a look back at the season that started it all. By Ben Jones
56 Illinois
Remember that time Tim Beckman thought he could come to Penn State, camp out in the parking lot, and poach a bunch of players? By Dan Vecellio
74 Roster Management and the Class of ‘14.
Penn State’s scholarship restrictions mean one big miss could send an entire recruiting class crashing down. It also means “Swiss Army Knife” recruits will be a priority. By Tim Tolley
108 Rounding the Table
The editors of We Are! 2013 field random questions about the season on tap. By Mike Pettigano, Cari Greene, and Jared Slanina
57 Minnesota
Still regret firing Glen Mason? You should. By Ace Anbender
112 Hail to the Sponsors
This magazine would never have been possible without contributions and flat-out donations from the mighty masses of Nittany Lions fans. Some of those who backed us got this magazine. Others got a mag and a t-shirt. And a bunch of them got that and a lousy mention in the back of this thing. Plus our undying gratitude!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WE ARE! 2013
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