A rambling, personal post (below) inspired by some others' recent posts about "Penn State arrogance"...
I used to be a Penn State fan. I have great dad-son memories of going to Penn State games in the 1970's. "Ha! Look at that sweathshirt, son: 'Woody is a Pecker'!" (as wearer bent backwards to expose it, pre-game, for the GoodYear blimp. Good times.
I collected those blue and white game slogan buttons... Never missed that Sunday morning replay show... etc.
I liked the stadium as it was back then - much better than today. You could see the mountains better, hear the band... what was it then, cap. = 70,000? To me, it's too big and corporate and over-produced now. I like MAC games now (no, I'm serious) in a Rocky Balboa kinda way. Less-recruited players playing for small crowds at home, and trying to beat the big money, marquis teams away.
I went away to Miami, FL for college, and could not have been more excited to watch the Howard Schnellenberger/Jim Kelly-led Hurricanes play - and upset - Penn State in 1981. My Dad laughed at the Hurricanes all week before the game when I told him that they looked pretty good. As time expired, I tried calling him collect from the Orange Bowl - but he was too mad to take the call. That's when I started to understand the general arrogance (at that time) of the Penn State fanbase. I can still hear Keith Jackson's call of the game.
Went to Kent State for grad school in 1985. Been a fan (one of hundreds) of the Golden Flashes ever since. I like the Kent-Penn State games. Always hoping for a miracle. Darn near swallowed my tongue when Kent went up 10-0 in 2003 (before losing solidly).
Thanks in part to Toledo ("Holy Toledo!" Dad didn't take that call either.) and Ohio U., i think Penn State fans, in general, are less arrogant anymore - even almost decent to be around at BBQ's, etc. I see informed, respectful online posts and media reports about future MAC opponents... respectful postgame analyses. Neat!
I'll be rooting for Akron in two weeks - at least to keep it close - while Kent is whooping on Clemson.