Citing sources “close to the program,” FightOnState has indicated that it will indeed be redshirt sophomore walk-on Matt McGloin starting at QB for Penn State this Saturday against Michigan.

Matt McGloin will make his first career start when the Wolverines come calling Saturday. He has received the majority of first-team reps in practice this week.

“It’s McGloin,” a source said. “Newsome is not 100 percent,” the source said. “He’s working with the second team.”

To be entirely frank, I trust FOS, but I won’t necessarily believe this until Saturday if and when McGloin is the first off the bus. In that same article, the FightOnState staff indicated that the results of Rob Bolden’s concussion test on Wednesday were not yet known. That stands in stark contrast to David Jones’ story from last night, in which Jones quoted Bolden’s father as saying that he had passed the test.

Robert Bolden Sr. told me a few moments ago by phone from Detroit that his son passed the physical and mental components of the test administered on Wednesday by PSU sports medicine personnel:

“We’re not completely sure how things go from here,” said Mr. Bolden. “But he did pass.”

As I wrote this morning, even if Bolden did pass the test, his status for Saturday’s game is still very much in the air, but I would be surprised if this decision was made before Thursday’s afternoon practice. Bolden was cleared to practice yesterday, and the Lions’ traditionally have a relatively competitive practice on the Thursday before a game. Should Bolden be cleared for Saturday–and that’s very possible–you imagine the staff would like to evaluate his play in a game-like atmosphere before making a decision. No, I don’t have sources telling me anything–and yes, FOS has a very strong track record–but a lot can change in two days.

But taking this at face-value, because it’s likely true, deals a sizable blow to Penn State’s chances this weekend. Bolden has had his struggles–the product of some horrendous line play, receivers who can’t catch, and the typical freshman growing pains–but the Michigan secondary might well be the worst he would have faced since Youngstown State. The way he looked in the first half against Minnesota–before coming out with the concussion–Bolden was in the midst of a breakout performance, the kind that gives you confidence for the rest of the season. Sure, it was a Gopher defense that isn’t particularly good, but 11-13 for 130 and a TD is a damn fine performance, no matter who you’re playing.

McGloin has all of one half of collegiate football as experience, and in a game that promises to be a shootout, his “big play or bust” mentality could either pay huge dividends or significantly hamper Penn State’s ability to score points. But perhaps the worst effect of Bolden’s injury is the expected change to the game plan that would ensue. Penn State had become a pass-first team with Bolden under center–mainly because, as bad as they were in pass protection, the offensive line was even worse in the running game. Though he was just a freshman, Galen Hall and Jay Paterno trusted Bolden to throw the ball 30 times a game. Now, with a significantly less reliable option under center, Penn State will surely have to go to the ground game–and though he’ll almost certainly become Penn State’s all-time leading rusher on Saturday, I’m not sure anyone has faith in Evan Royster carrying this team on his back.

If these reports are indeed accurate, I’ll be the last to complain. In fact, I’ll be glad that Joe and Co. made the right decision–the tough one, but the right one–in holding out Rob Bolden with the concussion.

And if McGloin struggles, and Penn State loses–at least we’ll have an excuse. But maybe, just maybe, he’ll come through. And wouldn’t that be one hell of a story.

UPDATE, 6:57: More light was shed on Bolden’s status during this week’s edition of Nittany Lion Hotline–and along with it a worrying disconnect between members of the Penn State coaching staff.

Jay Paterno spoke first, and mentioned that Bolden had been cleared to play Saturday. Not only that, he looked “fine” and it would be a game-time decision on Saturday.

But then the godfather came on, and with one simple sentence, Joe ended the speculation: We’re going to go with Mac.

Good luck, kiddo. At the very least, Matt’s got the #117 ranked pass defense on the other side of the field, in what should be McGloin’s first and last start in the blue and white.