Ron Musselman: Hi, this is Ron Musselman. There has been a lot going on at Penn State the past few days. Today, we can talk Robert Bolden, Nebraska, Big Ten division alignment and the opener against Youngstown State. Due to technical difficulties, you will have to submit your questions again. I will start answering them at 11 a.m.

LionForever: Hi Ron, I'd like to think that the coaching staff is incredibly high on Bolden despite the lack of experience with Newsome and McGloin. Couldn't have Joe gone conservative with Newsome and just ran the ball. Or do the Lions have their QB for the future?

Ron Musselman: I think it is pretty obvious the coaching staff likes Bolden. He was the buzz of preseason camp despite not arriving on campus until May. I think most people were shocked that JoePa decided to go with a true freshman in the opener for the first time in his 45 seasons as coach. It tells me one of two things -- either McGloin or Newsome are not that good or Bolden is way better than the competition. I think Joe will keep the game plan very simplified Saturday against Youngstown State. But what a pressure cooker for Bolden, who was playing high school football at this time last year. Next week, he jumps into the frying pan at Alabama.

Joe: A lot has been said about the Big Ten Schedule, but what of the non-conference schedules that teams will set? Didn't Penn State already have Nebraska planned in the future as a non conference match up after the Alabama series was complete? Who will they now try and schedule?

Ron Musselman: It definitely will affect the non-conference schedule. Penn State has set up future games with Syracuse, Navy, Virginia, etc. I've also heard some rumblings about a future date with Virginia Tech, but that has not yet been announced yet and I am not sure where that stands. It will get tougher to play those types of non-conference games in the future, especially once the Big Ten goes to a nine-game conference schedule in a few years.

jim: What does the Bolden choice at QB mean for Paul Jones?

Ron Musselman: Good question. I am sure Paul Jones is wondering the same thing. Like Bolden, he came in as a hotshot quarterback, was an early enrollee in January. Most people figured he had a big edge over Bolden, who didn't get here until the summer. But academic issues knocked Jones out of the quarterback race. If Bolden holds onto the starting job, I have to believe Jones or Newsome will transfer.

Zack: Ron, Do you have any thoughts if we should expect to see Joe switch QBs mid game to "test the waters"?

Ron Musselman: Joe listed his quarterbacks as Bolden 1A, McGloin 1B and Newsome 1C on the depth chart Wednesday night. He said he hopes to play all three quarterbacks against Youngstown State. Newsome seems to be the loser in all of this. He has not progressed much since enrolling early in 2008 and now is third-string behind a former walk-on.

LionForever: Ron, does Curtis Dukes play a key role in the short yardage game? I understand he is a beast.

Ron Musselman: With backup tailback Stephfon Green hampered by a neck injury -- I hear it is more like a concussion -- I would expect the 240-pound Dukes, a redshirt freshman, and true freshman Silas Redd to get some carries. I have been told that Redd had been very impressive in preseason camp. Dukes also had had his shining moments.

Glenn: Do you think they redshirted Jones because they knew Bolden was better? I think they used the academic issue as an excuse.

Ron Musselman: I think they decided to redshirt Jones because of his grades. Jones, after all, was the star of the Blue-White Game, throwing two touchdown passes. It's hard to believe he didn't have the talent to hang with Bolden. Then again, I guess we will find out soon just how good Bolden is.

Bill: What do you think we can expect out of Bolden. I've got to think that we'll see a heavy dose of Royster and Green running the ball to take the pressure off of Bolden.

Ron Musselman: I am not sure how much Green will play Saturday, if at all, as I said earlier. I think Bolden's playbook will be very thin for the Youngstown State game. People I have talked to have raved about his leadership skills and strong arm. Keep in mind, he's also a pretty good scrambler. That's good. He may find himself on the run quite a bit operating behind that revamped offensive line.

HappyValley4ever: What's the biggest challenge on the schedule this year?

Ron Musselman: Well, three games on the road against teams ranked in the Top 10 in the preseason is a mighty challenge for any team. As you know, Penn State plays at No. 1 Alabama, at No. 2 Ohio State and at No. 9 Iowa. I don't think too many people would be surprised if the Lions went 0-3 in those games.

LionForever: I've always been a believer to put your 11 best players on the field. In my opinion, Mauti and Hodges (at safety) apply. With a deep linebacking corps, and Sukay iffy at safety, would the Lions brain trust move Hodges to linebacker. Was he that deficient in pass coverage/support?

Ron Musselman: Hodges was moved from safety to linebacker midway through last season and he will be part of a six-man rotation that sees plenty of playing time. Hodges is an outstanding player who now weighs 230 pounds. He has a chance to be an impact player as a sophomore.

Chris: How is Mike Mauti looking this year? Is he the heir apparent to Sean Lee, Navarro Bowman?

Ron Musselman: Mauti has slowly been working his way back into the lineup after missing all of last season with an ACL injury. He is considered an outstanding player with plenty of upside, but I think it will take him a few games to get back into the flow. Mauti, a redshirt sophomore, has the potential to be in the same class as Lee and Bowman before his career is over.

wbwb: How good is the defense? They have some great players.....

Ron Musselman: Overall, the defense should be pretty sound. The secondary should be among the best in the Big Ten with three returning starters (SS Astorino, FS Sukay) and (CB Lynn). Also, promising sophomore Stephon Morris, the nickel back last year, appears to have recovered from the neck injury he suffered early in preseason camp and will start Saturday. Derrick Thomas, a redshirt freshman, is expected to be the nickel back. All three linebackers will be new, and up front you have Ollie Ogbu, Jack Crawford and Devon Still, who is attempting to replace All-American Jared Odrick.

bubs: Is Jack Crawford the next Tamba Hali/Courtney Brown?

Ron Musselman: Crawford certainly has a chance to be Penn State's next star defensive lineman. He's a talented defensive end from London who didn't start playing football until he moved to the United States in 2006. He started every game last year for Penn State and had 14.5 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

mike: Do you think PSU will have a new head coach in 2011?

Ron Musselman: At this point, it is hard to tell. When JoePa had those gastrointestinal issues this summer and lost weight, I think a lot of people thought this might be his last year. I think a lot people still think that. But he has bounced back before and continued to coach. I think we'll have to wait and see how this season unfolds before we know for sure what will happen in 2011, when his contract -- if you want to call it that -- expires.

jim: Stephen W. playing guard I think is a better decision -- how's the new center looking?

Ron Musselman: I agree that Stefen Wisniewski's best position is right guard. That being said, I have to tell you I am stunned that he was not elected one of the two captains. Wisniewski has taken some snaps at center in preseason camp, where Matt Stankiewitch has also been getting some work. Doug Klopacz, a seldom-used fifth-year senior, will get his first start at center Saturday. Everyone has said that he has been going OK so far.

stix: Is nebraska the new rival game.

Ron Musselman: Yes, Penn State will play Nebraska every year starting in 2011, which is quite a coup. After that, you can kiss Michigan State and the Land Grant Trophy goodbye for good. I don't think anyone will be too sad.

Joe-Pitt: Do you think Paul Jones of Sto-Rox will transfer to Pitt?

Ron Musselman: I have not heard anything about Paul Jones transferring, or that he is even considering it. It is all pure speculation at this point. Jones is from Pittsburgh, but for now, he still is stationed in Happy Valley and headed for a redshirt season, barring injuries.

stix: Does Chaz Powell play both ways?

Ron Musselman: Chaz Powell may indeed end up playing both ways. He started his career as a safety, moved to wide receiver, where he started nine games last year, and then moved to cornerback this spring. But injuries on offense forced Powell back to receiver last week. Powell said he could possibly enter games on defense as an extra back in passing situations. He also returns kickoffs.

Ron Musselman: Thanks for all your great questions today. See you back here next week at the same time when we discuss Penn State's game at No. 1 Alabama.

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