2005 v 2016? Who you got.

[mrtailgate]

As a long timer, I have to say that these two seasons stand out for pure enjoyment. If you remember back, many of the media picked the 05 team near the basement of the Big. This year, many (not all) with .500 predictions and no expectations of anything other than a lower tier bowl.

So, which year has been the bigger surprise for you?

I would say this year in that in addition to not knowing what we had, the injuries have really taken a toll and created nearly weekly challenges. You have to give the players and staff all the credit for this run, amazing.

Two other misc. points. Props to 26. Not once did you see visible frustration yesterday. He grinded and had a couple of HUGE runs down the stretch. That shows me a lot about his character.

And I will say it now. Miles gets one against Sparty. He has been close. He gets a lane and goes against Sparty!

 

[Nashville Lion]

I would say 2005...overall a better team with less injuries but this 2016 team has a ton of heart.

 

[uPBRmeASAP]

2016 is much deeper and overall more talented, but 2005 had a defensive front that probably has us as a 1 loss team right now. So I guess 2005, but it's close.

 

[4INSBU]

As a long timer, I have to say that these two seasons stand out for pure enjoyment. If you remember back, many of the media picked the 05 team near the basement of the Big. This year, many (not all) with .500 predictions and no expectations of anything other than a lower tier bowl.

So, which year has been the bigger surprise for you?

I would say this year in that in addition to not knowing what we had, the injuries have really taken a toll and created nearly weekly challenges. You have to give the players and staff all the credit for this run, amazing.

Two other misc. points. Props to 26. Not once did you see visible frustration yesterday. He grinded and had a couple of HUGE runs down the stretch. That shows me a lot about his character.

And I will say it now. Miles gets one against Sparty. He has been close. He gets a lane and goes against Sparty!

This year's team is more of a surprise than 05. Anyone that followed the team knew the 05 team could be good based on the recruits on defense. I figured this team was 7 wins at best this year. Way ahead of schedule.

 

[psuro]

Ask this question again after the season. There is still a lot of football to be played

 

[Nitt1300]

2016- so many people, including many here, wrote this team (and this staff) off for dead. Laughing at those people has made this an enjoyable season.

 

[aquapong]

I'm happy with the development of this team and we can be very confident going into next season.

But the 2005 team will likely be my favorite Penn State team as long as I live.

 

[N&B4PSU]

2005... but a game that might really be fun to watch would (hopefully, of course) 2005 vs 2017.

But in terms of playing 2 teams that sort of (not so much 05) came out of nowhere, then these versions are the correct match and my nod goes to 2005 because of their D. It'd be close.

 

[kevina001]

This year's team is a bigger surprise. After all, the 2005 team was led by the greatest coach the college game has ever seen.

The 2005 team was better though. That defense...

 

[mrtailgate]

Ask this question again after the season. There is still a lot of football to be played

Yes, well said. A LOT of meaningful football indeed needs to be played out. But there are some interesting similarities not limited to the MN game being a turn the corner moment, big home win against OSU, disappointments at the Big House, etc.

But I am a one game at a time person and realize that we can get beat at any time during this time. But I am enjoying this year tremendously. No matter how it turns out, this has been a great run. We are moving forward!

 

[psuno1]

2005, just go look at the guys on the team that played in NFL starters or were all-pro or pro bowlers, that team had a lot of talent on it.

 

[Raffycorn]

2005, just go look at the guys on the team that played in NFL starters or were all-pro or pro bowlers, that team had a lot of talent on it.

In fairness, nobody on the 2016 team has had the chance to be an NFL starter or pro-bowler yet.

 

[WV Bruno]

I like the 86 and 94 teams.

 

[dclionsfan]

2005 by 7 at home lol

 

[psu7113]

2016 is much deeper and overall more talented, but 2005 had a defensive front that probably has us as a 1 loss team right now. So I guess 2005, but it's close.

Deeper and more talented? Certainly not on oline or a linebacker. Poz, Conner, Lee, Morrison et al beg to differ....

 

[83wuzme]

I think the 2005 team had more NFL talent. And then there was the whole thing of going from consecutive worst ever losing seasons to one loss.
This 2016 team wasn't supposed to be this successful this soon. They are overachieving by all comparisons with 2005.