The magic of a place like Penn State is that we know what winners look like. We understand what it takes to make championship caliber teams and individuals. In fact, we strive to that end. It's ingrained in our culture. We lead the country in Fortune 500 CEOs. We've witnessed countless all-Americans (both academic and athletic), and we understand when an individual or group does not measure up.

We've sort of known this about James Franklin for a while now, and we've been at best "slow to react", and at worse negligent, to what we've seen. I'll probably take some push back on this but the word I would most associate with James Franklin now is "politician". I'm sorry if some of you think that's harsh but that's my opinion. At least he graduated from used car salesman.

There is a new age dawning or perhaps being reborn. Let's call it a resurgence of American exceptionalism. The "managed decline" peddlers of the past are waning. We have an opportunity to embrace our roots and reject the marginalized expectations of dying ideologies.

James Franklin has not embraced the full tradition of Penn State. In fact, he appears to be capitalizing on its "managed" decline. At a minimum, he doesn't seem to properly motivate the young people under his care or demonstrate our principles. At worst he neglects the basic principles of graduation rates, academic exceptionalism and high achieving academic standards. He's had too many scandals, excuses, historic and record failures and time and time again has failed to establish the requisite mental toughness in those under his care. It's not that he loses, it's that he seems to have abandoned the principles that once made us great.

He also happens to be the complete polar opposite of our past leader, JVP. He's a terrible game day, X&O Coach. It is apparent its not something he can learn and what is more problematic is that he doesn't seem interested in what made us successful in the first place which is really unforgivable. His inclinations seem to be the opposite of our culture and cannot continue. Plain and simple.

Either Hagans needs to go, or you need two more receivers in the portal. ZERO catches by Penn State wide receivers. You cannot win the biggest games with this glaring deficiency.

and they'll take him as the overall #2 pick. Obviously, it is difficult to get athletes to stay in CLE for lots of reasons. A hometown kid, like Kosar, is ideal. The idea is that the Browns still want Watson to play for a year or two while they groom a kid for the future...


Just a rumor.

Not by a lot but Vegas thinks they will win and I assume a decent amount of "experts" also think this.

Wondering what is it exactly that gives them the edge? I think we could just as easily be favored by 1.5 points.

Is it their defense?
Carter not being 100%?
Franklin factor?

Their offense is nothing great from what I have seen. They don't have a Caleb Downs to matchup with Warren.

I guess they think their front 7 will be better than our OLine and their offense can do just enough especially without Carter being 100% (full disclosure: total speculation on Carter).

How are tickets going to work for that? I can't imagine a smooth transition

Powerade starts on Friday. Looking forward to following Asher Cunningham, Nate Desmond, and Sam Herring. I believe those are the only PSU incoming guys competing?

Hearing that a significant number of players have the flu. Anyone know about this?

Feel like this wasn't even a real declare

I would think end of season meetings with players will occur this coming week and PSU will only be able to have 105 players on the roster for 2025.

Roster management now even more of a critical skill for the staff.

Too bad the "run on" program is probably going to be extremely space. Do you think the staff will hold a few (1 or 2) scholarships open for "run ons"?

(Mod note - locking the Bird thread as it's run its course over the last 4 years. There will be an annual Iowa thread for related news, discussions, rumors, lineups, match notes, etc. before the start of each season.

JOESTROSSER said:

Sorry, if already posted, but with all the off-season changes what is Iowa's projected lineup?

Click to expand...

125 - Peterson
133 - Ayala
141 - Block
149 - Parco
157 - Teemer
165 - Cali
174 - Arnold/Kennedy
184 - Brands
197 - Buchanan
285 - Kueter

Quick update on some of the names that we posted on our Defensive Coordinator hot board yesterday.

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