Here's what to look for in the Midwest this weekend:Western Pa. running back battle
Two of Western Pennsylvania's top running backs will face each other when Aliquippa Hopewell and McKees Rocks Montour square off Friday night.Hopewell's Rushel Shell is likely to become Pennsylvania's most prolific rusher of all time by season's end, while Montour's Julian Durden is coming off a 200-yard game and looking to earn a few more BCS offers. His lone BCS offer comes from Pittsburgh, but the Panthers have a few more running backs, most notably Shell, ahead of Durden.Shell has a streak of 30 consecutive 100-yard games going, but Montour won't become No. 31 that easily. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ranks Montour No. 1 in its class.A big win could help round out Penn State's class
With No. 3 Alabama coming to town on Saturday, few are giving No. 23 Penn State a chance for a win this weekend, especially considering the Nittany Lions' unsettled quarterback situation and shaky showing in Tuscaloosa last season.If the Lions are able to manage the upset, though, it could be the game that wraps up what is already a strong class for the Lions and also give them a good start on their 2013 class. Their final few targets will all be on the sideline on Saturday with the exception of Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, Pa.) defensive end Noah Spence. Bam Bradley, Kent Taylor, Demetrious Cox and William Mahone will all be there and all have Penn State among their leader boards. A large number of Penn State's commitments will be there as well, and you know they will be in the ear of the uncommitted guys all weekend.A number of top juniors will be at the game, too, such as quarterback Damion Terry and tight end Adam Breneman.Beaver Stadium will be rocking pregame, and if Penn State wins, the building just might come down. Rumor has it some of the bleachers were busted last weekend from students jumping up and down. An atmosphere like that could have those final recruits moving Penn State atop their leader board.O Canada!