OSU’s Tressel faces a former assistant in UT’s Beckman

ASSOCIATED PRESS

It will be a reunion of sorts today when first-year Toledo coach Tim Beckman goes up against Ohio State’s Jim Tressel.

Tressel’s legendary coaching father, Lee, had a hand in shaping both their careers.

The late Lee Tressel became a father figure to Tim Beckman’s father, Dave, after he hired him as an assistant at Baldwin-Wallace.

Both of their sons graduated from Berea High School near Cleveland, though Tressel is 12 years older. They were reunited in 2005 when Tim Beckman joined Tressel’s staff at Ohio State to coach defensive backs.

Beckman spent two seasons with the Buckeyes before becoming defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.

Penn State-Temple

Temple coach Al Golden can only wish he had the problems facing his old boss, Joe Paterno.

Troubles running the ball? Hiccups in the red zone? No problem for No. 5 Penn State — the passing game and solid defense have paced Paterno’s Nittany Lions to two decisive, season-opening victories.

Just getting into the end zone would be an accomplishment for the Owls (0-1) when they visit Beaver Stadium.

Penn State (2-0) has held Golden’s squad to a field goal in outscoring Temple 123-3 the previous three seasons, including a 42-point blowout in Happy Valley in 2008.

It hasn’t been a happy homecoming at all for Golden, a two-year starter at tight end for Paterno from 1989-91, and a Penn State assistant in 2000.

Notre Dame-Michigan State

It’s not panic time at Notre Dame or Michigan State — yet.

That likely will change for the loser of today’s game between the two programs. After last-minute losses a week ago, marked by costly penalties and defensive troubles, fans of both teams are frantic for answers.

Players are hearing the questions. Notre Dame linebacker Toryan Smith said that a week ago the Irish were ranked No. 18 and people were talking about a possible championship. Now fans are questioning players and coach Charlie Weis.

Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones has been hearing questions as well following the Spartans 29-27 loss to Central Michigan. He says the questions don’t matter.

Michigan State will be trying to extend a six-game winning streak in South Bend.

Navy-Pitt

Adam Gunn doesn’t have any problem remembering the last time Navy came to Heinz Field with a team that was supposed to be too small and too talent-thin to compete with a BCS program like Pitt’s.

It’s difficult to forget when an opponent runs for 331 yards on 70 carries, totals 497 yards and wins 48-45 in double-overtime after Pitt came into the game favored by double digits.

That was two years ago, and Pitt’s middle linebacker hopes the Panthers remember how they felt after losing.

“I’d have to say we weren’t ready for what they did in 2007,” Gunn said as the Panthers (2-0) prepared for tonight’s game against Navy (1-1). “We just didn’t have a very good game against Navy. They ran up and down the field on us, but we proved we could stop them last year.”

Pitt came back to win at Navy 42-21 last season, holding the nation’s best rushing offense to 194 yards, a big game for most teams but not by Navy’s standards.

“They really got after us last year,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “It’s the same Pittsburgh: big, fast and strong.”