Believe me, USC will still be happy to scarf up Franklin...

[MacNit07]

Nope, not saying Franklin is better than Joe….I’m saying selective memory from some on this board is hilarious. Posters act like Franklin took an Alabama level program and made them a Michigan State type program. Guess what, Joe did that. We’re currently at the level we’ve been for about 30 years, I’m not sure why people expect so much more. The 80’s was a long time ago.

They expect more because the fan base, attendance, TV draw, talent access, program history, etc. shows that it can be done. How do you think it survived the sanctions so well? It was the foundation that Joe built. Even during the “dark years” the team did not get pushed around.

Franklin has done a fine job rebuilding certain aspects and he has done it the right way. Many (including me) respect and applaud that accomplishment and it should not be minimized.

But I think we have an adequate body of work to see that we have reached a ceiling under Franklin. Yes, the replacement could be worse. But many are willing to take that chance as we remember so many great teams that won against the best competition - home and away…Went to prestigious bowl games and won at an all-time rate…went unbeaten and played in meaningful games.

Everything is there to perform at that level (recruiting will be tougher as PA football is in a death spiral) and it is time for a change. How do you think O’Brien was able to do so well losing about half of his scholarship players? It was the foundation that Joe built.

I would be for a coach that would restore the tough reputation that Penn State has for years. You know, the one that does along with the no name uniforms. Stop the run, run the football, play hard, play smart.

If you are happy with wash, rinse, repeat of what we have seen the last few years, God Bless you - to each his own.

There are many here and around the country that see a sleeping giant.. I say it’s time to awaken that giant.

 

[AWS1022]

They expect more because the fan base, attendance, TV draw, talent access, program history, etc. shows that it can be done. How do you think it survived the sanctions so well? It was the foundation that Joe built. Even during the “dark years” the team did not get pushed around.

Franklin has done a fine job rebuilding certain aspects and he has done it the right way. Many (including me) respect and applaud that accomplishment and it should not be minimized.

But I think we have an adequate body of work to see that we have reached a ceiling under Franklin. Yes, the replacement could be worse. But many are willing to take that chance as we remember so many great teams that won against the best competition - home and away…Went to prestigious bowl games and won at an all-time rate…went unbeaten and played in meaningful games.

Everything is there to perform at that level (recruiting will be tougher as PA football is in a death spiral) and it is time for a change. How do you think O’Brien was able to do so well losing about half of his scholarship players? It was the foundation that Joe built.

I would be for a coach that would restore the tough reputation that Penn State has for years. You know, the one that does along with the no name uniforms. Stop the run, run the football, play hard, play smart.

If you are happy with wash, rinse, repeat of what we have seen the last few years, God Bless you - to each his own.

There are many here and around the country that see a sleeping giant.. I say it’s time to awaken that giant.

So you want us to be Wiscy or Iowa….I don’t. But either way, unless the administration and university get on board, no coach is going to get us to Bama’s level no matter what. And the drop in HS talent in PA is a hell of a lot bigger deal than many on here are realizing. Joe wouldn’t have built those types of teams with today’s talent in PA. I like Franklin because of his ability to recruit. I don’t think recruiting at PSU is as easy as some think. If we get someone else, I can see our talent level dropping, then we aren’t beating anyone. Franklin gets criticized because he’s a salesman….guess what, that’s how he’s recruiting like he is. Do you think Luke Fickell, with his bland personality, is going to be able to recruit at Penn State? We remember a Penn State that these players never even knew existed, so it doesn’t sell itself like it used to.

 

[MacNit07]

Franklin has the program roughly where Joe had it in the 1990s. Taking it to where we were in the 1980s would be very difficult. And I don't think it is possible to re-create what Joe was doing in the late 60s/70s. That is not going to happen in the B1G

Roughly equal to the 90’s? Talk to me about the equivalent of going on the road and beating a #1 ranked ND late in the season? Which Franklin team is equivalent of 1994? What about epic comeback major bowl victories over Tennessee? Texas? Kickoff classic wins over USC? Georgia Tech?

Franklin has done some nice and impactful things. Mucho kudos.

But this program is stagnating and starting to decline. At some point, perhaps someone who is a leader can address this and restore us to the 1990s level and beyond.

The potential is still there. But the casual fan may start to peel off and that will take the shine off the prigram, attendance, TV and the downward spiral will continue.

To me, it starts with our identity. It used to be a tough, scrappy team that won big games by playing hard hitting and smart football.

What is out identity now? Big plays if we have an occasional Saquon or Jahan level talent?

Would love to see someone like a Matt Rhule take a swing at it!

 

[MacNit07]

So you want us to be Wiscy or Iowa….I don’t. But either way, unless the administration and university get on board, no coach is going to get us to Bama’s level no matter what. And the drop in HS talent in PA is a hell of a lot bigger deal than many on here are realizing. Joe wouldn’t have built those types of teams with today’s talent in PA. I like Franklin because of his ability to recruit. I don’t think recruiting at PSU is as easy as some think. If we get someone else, I can see our talent level dropping, then we aren’t beating anyone. Franklin gets criticized because he’s a salesman….guess what, that’s how he’s recruiting like he is. Do you think Luke Fickell, with his bland personality, is going to be able to recruit at Penn State? We remember a Penn State that these players never even knew existed, so it doesn’t sell itself like it used to.

What do YOU want? Teams that get pushed around on their home field by bottom dwellers?

I would take Iowa/Wisconsin level of performance with an upgrade of talent that comes with being Penn State (that still says great access to DC/MD/Va talent).

 

[Jerry]

They expect more because the fan base, attendance, TV draw, talent access, program history, etc. shows that it can be done. How do you think it survived the sanctions so well? It was the foundation that Joe built. Even during the “dark years” the team did not get pushed around.

Franklin has done a fine job rebuilding certain aspects and he has done it the right way. Many (including me) respect and applaud that accomplishment and it should not be minimized.

But I think we have an adequate body of work to see that we have reached a ceiling under Franklin. Yes, the replacement could be worse. But many are willing to take that chance as we remember so many great teams that won against the best competition - home and away…Went to prestigious bowl games and won at an all-time rate…went unbeaten and played in meaningful games.

Everything is there to perform at that level (recruiting will be tougher as PA football is in a death spiral) and it is time for a change. How do you think O’Brien was able to do so well losing about half of his scholarship players? It was the foundation that Joe built.

I would be for a coach that would restore the tough reputation that Penn State has for years. You know, the one that does along with the no name uniforms. Stop the run, run the football, play hard, play smart.

If you are happy with wash, rinse, repeat of what we have seen the last few years, God Bless you - to each his own.

There are many here and around the country that see a sleeping giant.. I say it’s time to awaken that giant.

Well said but though there may be some unhappiness in the fan base, some of it perhaps justified but a lot of it overdone, Franklin is in no danger at all of being fired.

I think the greater likelihood, as I mentioned in a post above, is that he sees a job like USC as an opportunity for a fresh start after taking his best shot at Penn State, falling just short of what he was aiming for, and dealing with a boatload of frustration in the process.

I mean, we were controlling an unbeaten Iowa team on the road, dreaming of a playoff berth...only to suddenly lose the guy who makes the whole offense go. Based on yesterday's performance, that guy is not nearly back to par, and the remainder of the season now seems very much up in the air.

Next week in particular could be ugly but hey, hope springs eternal. Pull off a shocker, and the entire conversation changes. In fact, it's amazing how things can shift in a single week with one big win.

 

[AWS1022]

What do YOU want? Teams that get pushed around on their home field by bottom dwellers?

I would take Iowa/Wisconsin level of performance with an upgrade of talent that comes with being Penn State (that still says great access to DC/MD/Va talent).

But you’re not necessarily going to get an upgrade in talent playing like Iowa and Wisconsin. You’re certainly not going to get a top level QB. It sounds great to be able to push teams around, but how has that worked out for Iowa and Wisconsin over the years? How about Michigan…who ended up changing their offensive style because they couldn’t win. Bama and OSU can push people around because they get the very best players at every position every year….we aren’t ever going to be at that level.

 

[Mufasa94]

I said roughly. It doesn't mean exactly. In the 1990s we were usually a top 10 until we lost a game or two. That's where he has us. We have been in the top 10 at one point or another in every season since 2016. And the typical season in the '90s was 9-2.

Even with ignoring Franklin's first 2 years, the difference is we don't get to experience the great year that was in the 90s, while also experiencing a losing year that never happened in the 90s. Rough is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[MacNit07]

I said roughly. It doesn't mean exactly. In the 1990s we were usually a top 10 until we lost a game or two. That's where he has us. We have been in the top 10 at one point or another in every season since 2016. And the typical season in the '90s was 9-2.

I understand and you were roughly wrong.

 

[MacNit07]

But you’re not necessarily going to get an upgrade in talent playing like Iowa and Wisconsin. You’re certainly not going to get a top level QB. It sounds great to be able to push teams around, but how has that worked out for Iowa and Wisconsin over the years? How about Michigan…who ended up changing their offensive style because they couldn’t win. Bama and OSU can push people around because they get the very best players at every position every year….we aren’t ever going to be at that level.

Love that defeatist attitude. Recruit tougher football players and you will not get pushed around.

You still didn’t answer what YOU want.

 

[AWS1022]

Love that defeatist attitude. Recruit tougher football players and you will not get pushed around.

You still didn’t answer what YOU want.

I want a NC, but am realistic to know we likely won’t get one regardless of the coach. So I’ll take 10-11 win seasons every few years…you know, like it’s been for 30 years. I want Franklin to bring in Drew Allar and see what he can do. I want to continue to recruit well and hopefully get guys like Barkley, Gesicki, Hamilton, Dotson, etc. who are fun to watch and make the games exciting.

 

[Wesauking Lion]

If USC is so excited... CJF should go. Each year there is speculation ....and CJF gets more money... Go James... Go...

 

[Jerry]

Before yesterday I would have said that OSU would blow us out. Now, I think it will probably be closer because Franklin and his staff were embarrassed. When coaches have something to prove, you usually see a different team come out

But we're still going to lose.

Hard to feel good about next Saturday at the Shoe.

Early line (before Saturday's game) was 11 at a couple of the Vegas books. Now it's in the range of 16-17. I honestly thought it would move even more dramatically. 17 seems low to me.