Oct 28, 06

This week's effort has several facets that are normally seen at some point in the football editorial cartooning season. It is a "review" in that we see specifically (as opposed to a little flag with the season record on it) what has happened so far in the season and a "projection" in we see what is left to finish the season. We have a tie into Halloween, which is normally done in one way or another. Finally we have a general editorial comment as to how the season is proceeding to date. Let's start with this one. In many venues and conversations so far this year, it eventually comes out that Penn State can pick the "low hanging fruit" on the schedule, but not the ones higher up (or harder to pick). This seemed like a good theme to base the cartoon on, and I was reminded of a cartoon I did in 2003 (http://www.alionstale.com/psu/2003/game/wisconsin/index.html) that was similar, but not quite the same in the thought of harvest from one location. So we have "The Tree of 2006".

To tie into Halloween, the tree has a spooky forest quality (besides being able to talk!) and our main theme is to "avoid being haunted by 2006". The tree notes that one can "survive" by picking the low hanging fruit, but not prosper". The tree is composed of those branches where the fruit has already been harvested, the branches where the opportunity to harvest still exists and the fruit that the Lions couldn't harvest. These branches have hardy stems and stand high above the ground. The Michigan branch is a bit higher, even-though Ohio State is No. 1, since they seemed to be a bit more impressive to watch play - but we'll see when the two meet on Nov. 18.

The Nittany Lion has a basket of the harvest to date and is eyeing up Purdue which record-wise seems to be on the same level as we are (they haven't been to adept at harvesting the higher-hanging fruit either). A win will help thwart that other recent theme in the cartoons: the continuation from previous years and formation this year of a cycle in the recent occurrence of good and bad seasons for the Lions. JoePa opines that the Lions need to increase the level at which they harvest - for this year and in momentum for next year. The Little Lion is captivated by the shriveled up unpicked Temple and how the 0-8 Owls are just ready to drop off - just put the basket underneath. Will this be PSU's only freebie this year from winless Owls? 

The Lions' basket is filled with a majority of harvest that has a losing record, so by picking Purdue they can only help their 2006 situation and get prepared to harvest at a higher level (their last chance this season?) against the rated Wisconsin Badgers. Lions, Let the Picking continue!

Posted by: Lions Tale Artist on Oct 28, 06 | 9:25 am

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