Part of #3 is Franklin choking. Playing too conservative with the lead in years past. Has this been improved? We will see.
Best PSU team to roll into Columbus since…?
- Thread starter PennSt8er
- Start date
The rest of the college football world will get a wake-up call this Saturday. tOSU has been better than us in recent years, without question. Better talent, better recruiting, and better performance. So, naturally, every casual fan is taking a "show me" attitude about PSU vs tOSU. It's completely understandable. However, they will be shown this Saturday. This is the year. WE ARE!!!
That was pretty much proof right there. That Illinois defense had some extremely good players and when we needed to we just went 90+ yards on them. And i remember watching it and not really doubting for a second that we were going to drive the whole field and win
but it was probably the way psu sleepwalked through the indiana game that cost them a share of the national title, which was just wrong by the writers
LOL, I think your on to something ........ But only if a guy by the name of Vinny is the QB?
Not even close. This is far from the most talented team we have fielded. It is significantly less talented than the 2008 squad. We lack talent at three position groups, wide receiver, defensive tackle and across the offensive line. The linebacking corps isn't close to what it was any year between 2005 and 2012. Defensively, we are not at the 2014/15 levels much less in range of 05.
Our defense is #1 in the nation right now, if I'm not mistaken. It's a real stretch to say that is not even up to the 2014-15 level, when we barely went .500
It is not a stretch and it isn't close. 08 was better almost to a man. We haven't played anyone this year and 14/15's defense had to deal with John Donovan's (worse D1 offensive coordinator in history) incompetence.
Comparing 08 to 23, they get four of five offensive linemen (and maybe all five), the top two tight ends, all three receivers (plus the next three), quarterback (Allar might be better than DC in time but he isn't close right now), three of four defensive linemen, two linebackers (three if Sean Lee wasn't hurt) and a safety. The biggest different is DB talent on the current team is higher.
Comparing the D to 14/15, Barnes, Zettel, Johnson (best 1 tech in PSU history), Olinayan/Nassib are better to a man than what we have now. Carter would be the best linebacker but 14/15 get the other two spots and they also get three of four in the secondary with Amos/Lucas as Strong Safety, Marcus Allen at free and Trevor Williams at corner who was just as good as King.
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Could be the best team since our 1978 team shut Art Schlichter and company out at home.
The debut of air woody didn't work out so well. 19-0 good guys. 4 fgs and only one td.
I disagree. Cooper was recruiting at a National Championship level but couldn't beat Michigan. They had tremendous talent usually in those days. We lost 24-6 there in 1993 and 38-7 in 1996 (both 2 loss PSU teams) and 28-9 in 1998. What changed for the most part is that we fell off as a program.
Joe always said that you win with defense, special teams, then offense in that order. The defense was bend but don't break. That strategy drove me crazy but Joe won his share of games that way.
PSU blew a 15pt 4th qtr lead to lose by 1 in 2017. They blew a 12 pt lead with just 8 minutes remaining to lose by 1 in 2018. Who can forget Sanders getting stopped on a conservative running play on 4th and 5? They blew a 5 pt lead with just over 9 minutes remaining last year.
OSU leads the all time series 23-14 after winning 10 of the last 11 since Joe has been gone. Until then it was even. The bottom line is your comment about going fetal like "Joe would do" seems misplaced.
One thing is going to be different this game. I remember the 1 point loss where McSorley accounted for over 400 yds. Allar isn't that dynamic and he isn't likely to take off and run long distances. PSU is going to have to win this one using better depth and limiting mistakes.
I don't think there's much doubt that PSU has a very good defense but the #1 stats are padded by playing lesser opponents. We'll find out Saturday if this is an elite defense.
That was a heisman moment by McSorley that no one remembered. And they would not have lost to Sparty two weeks later. That was a one loss team, as was 2017 and 2019, but the buckeye loss turned into two as scUM kicked their arse in AA. McSorley’s 3 yr run was pretty good but for how the bucks nipped them twice. Oh things could have been so different.
OSU's offense is not as lethal compared to the recent past. They have slipped a bit(not a lot) at QB and O Line. With our defense being better than in year's past this could be the swing we need to finally win. Of course, watch McCord and their O Line play the game of their lives.
The offense was scoring with drives that lasted 2 minutes. The defense was on the field a lot. They were probably a better unit than the numbers show, IMO.
I'm not that excited about this game because I'm not confident that this will be the year. My reasons:
Singleton needs space. Maybe the toss sweep. Would like to see more of Potts -- perhaps a two back set with Potts and Allen. We need a ball control offense, no turnovers, no lost yardage plays, and no penalties. Keep OSU's offense off the field.
An awful lot hinges on what Yurcich has planned to get us through the first half, while leaving some surprises for the second half. If Yurcich is smart he will have some new stuff but keep it simple for Allar.
We shall see. To me, there are more reasons to expect a loss than a win. Might be different if at home and at night. Hope to be wrong.
- This is an early game. I don't know what it is, but PSU doesn't seem to be ready offensively in this time slot. You'd think this would not be the case, because most of these early games are with lesser opponents. This year the two big games are also early. Would not surprise me to be playing from behind in both games unless there are turnovers.
- Football is about matchups, which is why PSU looks good statistically even though it has weaknesses that can be exploited by a more complete team. Just haven't played anybody that could expose those weaknesses. The stats say nothing about what will happen against a comparable team.
- For Allar, this will be the first time on a hostile big stage. It's away, early, ESPN Gameday, both teams undefeated -- just huge pressures for someone who is young and must perform precisely in a tough environment.
- The reason Allar must be precise is our primary weakness -- the wide receivers. Serviceable but not elite. They often miss blocks and have trouble getting open, while Allar doesn't throw it unless there is space. OSU (and Michigan) will stack the LOS, stunt/blitz, and play man on the corners. I expect some drives to end through holding penalties and lost-yardage plays. There is something about this system that tends to leave people unblocked.
- Defensively I would not be surprised if PSU gets burned by some misdirection. The defense is aggressive and often overruns the play trying to generate highlights, but beating OSU will take discipline and fundamental tackling. This is the difference I see between this defense and other good defenses we have had. More speed and athleticism today, but not as fundamentally sound. Do we practice differently? Don't know.
- The OSU receivers are better than anything PSU has seen. This will consume the secondary, which means PSU cannot afford missed gap assignments and missed tackles on runs and short passes. The safeties won't be defending the run. If they do, expect OSU to complete some deep balls.
Singleton needs space. Maybe the toss sweep. Would like to see more of Potts -- perhaps a two back set with Potts and Allen. We need a ball control offense, no turnovers, no lost yardage plays, and no penalties. Keep OSU's offense off the field.
An awful lot hinges on what Yurcich has planned to get us through the first half, while leaving some surprises for the second half. If Yurcich is smart he will have some new stuff but keep it simple for Allar.
We shall see. To me, there are more reasons to expect a loss than a win. Might be different if at home and at night. Hope to be wrong.
Disregarding your snotty tone, I’ll respond. What’s different this year that makes me think PSU will win?
1. Our DL vs their OL. These games continue to be won in the trenches and their OL has some problems. OTOH, our pass rush is among the best in the country.
2. Ball security. In past years, we’ve had some horrible turnovers, often caused by the QB, that cost us the game. Allar, despite his youth, has shown he can make safe, smart decisions and take care of the ball. We’ll win the turnover battle.
3. We’re the healthier team. Tengwall’s loss notwithstanding, we’re really healthy. While tOSU is dealing with many injuries to key players including Egbuka, Henderson, Williams and Trayanum.
4. Second year with Diaz. Last year our D was excellent, but it was still the first year under a new DC. This year the team is even more comfortable with his system and is really locked in. It’s one of the best defenses in the nation under one of the best DCs.
5. Our short yardage package has greatly improved. In past years we stubbornly refused to come out of the shotgun in short yardage situations. Our ability to convert on 4th and 1 was poor, partially as a result. It’s much better now.
6. CJF’s in-game coaching decisions have improved. While I’m a huge fan, he did make some head-scratching choices that were costly. He has improved in that regard.
I could go on, but that’s enough for now. As I said before, this is the year.
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Good list here...and the only one I will flip around in reverse as being ultra important is your #1.
I think our OL vs their DL (which to me was the story of the game last year) is critical. If Drew is on his a** all game and burning clean pockets b/c he is panicking, this will be a long afternoon. Olu struggled a bit last year vs JTT and OSU's front, as did everyone. (Effner especially, who obviously is gone).
To me, this and Michigan (our two peers who we want to be) are the prove it games for our 'big time players.' Olu has to play big, Nick, Abdul, etc. You can't have your best players just be fine or solid in games like this, they have to show out. I'm always worried about our OL in big games, because let's face it, that position always seems to struggle in big moments. You win and lose games up front for the most part. And, when we have lost, we haven't won in those areas. Seemingly, an OSU front four guy has a resume, HOF-like performance vs PSU -- and that is getting old real quick.
There’s no doubt JTT had an all-time performance against us last year. Some differences this year that will help us…I do think C Wallace is somewhat improved, though he admittedly still makes me nervous sometimes. Clifford would get happy feet and panic sometimes before there was even real pressure on him. Allar appears calmer and is great at just hitting the check-down. Lastly, I just think they’ll have a better plan vs JTT this year. They won’t be caught off guard.
I don't see Drew panicking or trying to do too much. He is a cool customer. The pass blocking is pretty good, though they haven't seen an opponent like this yet this year. JTT went off after an injury to the starter last year. I guess the main concern is since Allar is less of a running threat they may send more pressure and overwhelm us up front until he shows he can beat that. Still, unless he is getting hit hard a lot and there's nobody open and we can't run at all I don't see him getting rattled much. He moves around well for his size, seems to have a sense of pressure and is hard for one defender to take down. Kind of like Big Ben. Still, our run blocking has to be better to take some of the load off of him so he doesn't have to do it all himself or it could be a long day.
In the WVa game Allar rolled away from pressure to buy time. We haven't seen as much of that since then but it hasn't been necessary against weaker opponents. I hope we can bring that back if OSU starts getting too much pressure.
Yep agreed...his first two road games were a bit shaky and he wasn't accurate. In the presser this week, Drew did mention how his footwork and trusting the pocket needs improvement...so that is good self scouting on his part. But, for sure...run blocking has to be better, and I have to think that includes the TE and WR's as well. Hard to get to the 2nd and 3rd level of the defense if those guys aren't blocking well.
Our offense will obviously go as Allar goes. You make some good points. He is calm, patient, pretty shifty in the pocket with good pocket presence and then a load to bring down. All of these attributes are an upgrade over Clifford when he faced OSU.
The implications of this are that I don't see him committing turnovers and see him making the right reads like even check downs or safe passes to pick up 5 instead of risking a pass to pick up 20.
My lucky strike extra....look for Liam Clifford to nab one or two key catches. Maybe a key 3rd and 7 type play.
Yep, besides some on the OL needing to do better at run blocking, the WRs and TEs definitely have to do their jobs, which includes blocking.
You make some excellent points.
I still don’t think it will be the year as I do not believe we will be able to score enough (offense has been a big disappointment on the road). O$U simply has more playmakers (Singleton being able to do something surely would help the good guys) and PSU’s OLine has continued to underachieve.
Hope you are right…I am thinking next year.
No doubt...the overall run blocking (despite stats that some throw out there) has been underwhelming. That includes WRs and TEs, as u mentioned.
Miles Sanders getting stopped was offensive coordinator hubris. "I'll fool 'em and I'll be the headline in tomorrow's papers." Trace Mcsorley owned the night and they took the ball away from him and went home. That was as pissed off as I have ever been watching PSU football, dating back to 1959
