Okay, everyone admits it. Even coach Joe Paterno and his players agree.

This has been one lousy start to a season that was supposed to be — at least in the team's mind — a complete 180-degree turnaround from last year.

By no means did Paterno ever say that this team would compete for a national championship. The 74-year-old coach couldn't even come close to saying that this team would compete for the Big Ten title.

But he did say this was going to be a good team. That would constitute what. . .maybe a seven, eight-win season and a postseason bowl berth?

Certainly.

An 0-2 start is no way to reverse a team's fortunes from a disastrous previous year's campaign. And nobody seems to understand why this program is currently in a seemingly endless downward spiral.

"We need some confidence, success and people to make some plays," Paterno said. "I have said from day one that I like the squad."

Like this team or not, something is not clicking for it.

Is it the coaching? Is it the game plan? Do these Nittany Lions have the same talent as previous Penn State teams had?

What the heck is the problem?

Well, here's one that nobody has suggested yet. Maybe the reason for the Lions demise of late is because they haven't heard, seen or read anything since last season's debacle to give them a sense of inspiration or given them credit for something that they may have done right.

From Day One, journalists are always taught to remain unbiased and subjective when dealing with issues and matters they cover. But after witnessing the torment and grief that these Lions have faced over the course of the past year, it's about time somebody gave them something to restore some pride and confidence.

So Penn State players, listen up.

Last season was just the third time in Joe Paterno's career that one of his teams began the year 0-2. And even the most desolate mountain hermit who resides in the deepest, thickest forest of Centre County knows what happened to last year's team.

But what some people may not realize is that Paterno's two prior season-opening 0-2 squads went on to have great success. In fact, in 1983, Penn State began 0-3 after getting beaten by a combined score of 100-43 through that first trio of contests.

However, Paterno righted the ship as the Lions went 8-1-1 over the next ten games, including victories over No. 3 Alabama and No. 5 West Virginia, and capped the season with a 13-10 triumph over No. 22 Washington in the Aloha Bowl.

Similarly in 1990, the Lions opened their campaign with consecutive losses to Texas and Southern California. But again, Paterno led his squad to a complete turnaround to finish the season with nine consecutive victories — one was a 24-21 win over No. 1 Notre Dame — culminating with a Blockbuster Bowl invite against No. 6 Florida State.

Although the Lions lost to the Seminoles in a 24-17 nail biter, Penn State finished the season just outside of the Top 10 at No. 11.

Now obviously history and tradition are not things that are going to help this team get on track. Paterno knows that and the players know that. It's just a matter of putting all of the components together to prove the critics wrong.

"I have full confidence everybody on this team wants to win and will do anything it takes to win," offensive guard Tyler Lenda said. "It's a matter of execution and playing up to our potential. It's not a huge thing, its just everyone becoming more precise with their assignments."

Maybe that's where Paterno comes back into play. This team swears its game during practices is much crisper than the product that is shown on Saturdays. So perhaps Paterno and his staff are the ones everyone should be pointing their fingers at.

But the players say that couldn't be further from the truth.

"We have full confidence in coach Paterno," Lenda said. "I mean, I've been here when we were ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the country. We feel if we listen to him and do what he says things will be okay."

And why shouldn't they feel that way. If this man has proven that he can keep teams from going under (except for last season mind you), conceivably, just one win can make all the naysayers go away.

"We know, and the coaches know, that we can win 10 games in a row," cornerback Bruce Branch said. "That's something we think we can do and we're going to do. We just have to get back on track and we'll be okay."

That means this weekend's tilt with Iowa is pretty much a must win. A victory over the Hawkeyes, and who knows what could happen. Newfound confidence can do funny things to people who haven't had it in a while.

"I know what we have to do better and what has to happen," Paterno said. "It is not a question of not knowing what to do or not feeling up to the challenge. . .In fact, I'm excited about the challenge."