Penn State absolutely can win this game.
31-17 PSU is my prediction.
31-17 PSU is my prediction.
Game Day and not much confidence around here?
- Thread starter royboy
- Start date
We can win but it's not the likely outcome--we all know our history in "big games" under Franklin
Lanning is battle tested especially with his time at Georgia
I just don't see how anyone truly believes we're going to win. There's only 3 teams in the country I wouldn't pick us to beat--we just happen to be playing one of them.
Pretty simple formula. PSU has to be able to run the football. I am worried about Oregon getting pressure on Allar if PSU is forced to throw. Can also hurt Oregon throwing to backs out of the backfired.
Confidence, like respect, is something that must be earned ...
James Franklin W/L record at Penn State against:
Top 25: 13 - 25
Top 10: 3 - 17
Top 5: 1 - 13
That is the W/L expectation of a team in the 15 to 25 range, not even close to Top 10 much less "elite" in the Top 5.
Anyone picking PSU today is merely doing so to root for the team, which is fine. I will be rooting likewise. But it is not a serious prediction unless one is clairvoyant.
James Franklin W/L record at Penn State against:
Top 25: 13 - 25
Top 10: 3 - 17
Top 5: 1 - 13
That is the W/L expectation of a team in the 15 to 25 range, not even close to Top 10 much less "elite" in the Top 5.
Anyone picking PSU today is merely doing so to root for the team, which is fine. I will be rooting likewise. But it is not a serious prediction unless one is clairvoyant.
PSU 27 - Oregon 21. I truly think we win this game. They have not seen anyone at the level of Warren and Carter.
And have we seen anyone the level of Dillon?
Remember on defense they only have to focus on Warren. If we win this, a WR is going to have to step up and not sure why anyone has confidence in that. Oregon did face the likely Heisman runner-up this year so they've faced a huge offensive weapon like Warren. Carter's great but he can be double/chipped to be neutralized. I'm way more concerned about our ability to protect Allar than their ability to protect Dillon.
We absolutely can win this game--but you're all thinking with your heart here--Oregon winning is the most likely outcome.
I don’t have confidence in a win, but matching up against Lanning is definitely not one of the factors.
For as much as some enjoy mocking Franklin for certain outcomes, he’s always had the underdog in the games. In his short time, Lanning has lost with the favored team on more than one occasion.
For as much as some enjoy mocking Franklin for certain outcomes, he’s always had the underdog in the games. In his short time, Lanning has lost with the favored team on more than one occasion.
I mean...he lost to Washington and Oregon State his first year as a HC but doesn't have a bad loss other than that. All his other losses (all 3 of them) were to top 10 teams.
He's also only 38 and just went 12-0 beating Ohio State and Boise State
Not sure if you're heard much from Lanning but he's the reason they're doing so well with recruiting--I'd send my kids there is a second.
Lando told you we would lose because Lando is a psychotic weirdo who hates Penn State with so much passion that he posts more than any single poster on this board and pretends to be a Penn State fan, yet he can't name one single professor, class, dorm room, or University landmark at his supposed "alma mater".
The formula to beat Penn State is to have DBs who are skillful enough to blanket our awful wide receivers one on one. Spy Warren with the very best DB Oregon has. If so, then put the other 7 defenders in the box and stop the run. The path for us to win the game is for our normally putrid wide receivers to somehow get open and make some catches so that the running game can come alive.
Have faith. Remember, the "experts" said OSU would crush Michigan. Nobody really knows when 2 good teams play.
+1000....You are right on the money. Against good defenses PSU has really struggled to run the ball. Out leading rushers against PSU were Allar and Warren which was pathetic with the rb's we have.
If one of the first plays is a handoff to Singleton and he gets stopped at the LOS, I hate to say it, but we will be in for a long night. If Trautwein can not get this OL ready to run block after all this time, and AK can't come up with a game plan to move the ball on the ground, we will not have a chance.
Remember the 1987 championship game. We were underdogs against the most formidable team assembled - Alonzo Highsmith, Testaverde. Bennie Blades, etc.
WE WON!! Remember 1982, Georgia with Herschel Walker. We WON!!
Right we can win but those were upsets--the outcome wasn't the expected outcome
There's a difference between believing we can win and saying we will win
Works the other way as well, which ever team stops the run, and is able to Run IMO wins. Oregon has a good back, if he runs wild it will set the table for their passing game.
This is a very interesting game for us today on multiple levels. We are matched up with the uncontested #1 team. A win would be huge. A close loss would be acceptable and further proof that we can do damage in the playoff.
Lanning is doing a great job, but beating OSU was his first "beat a better team" type of win. I'm hopeful that whatever voodoo is involved with 8 straight Buckeye losses doesn't rear its head today.
What I'm looking for:
1. Can our offense move the ball? Or does it look like pulling teeth to even get a 1st down.
2. Can we slow the Oregon offense down? 2nd best WRs we've faced behind OSU. Gabriel a better QB than Howard.
We need to answer "yes" twice to have a chance to win this game.
Lanning is doing a great job, but beating OSU was his first "beat a better team" type of win. I'm hopeful that whatever voodoo is involved with 8 straight Buckeye losses doesn't rear its head today.
What I'm looking for:
1. Can our offense move the ball? Or does it look like pulling teeth to even get a 1st down.
2. Can we slow the Oregon offense down? 2nd best WRs we've faced behind OSU. Gabriel a better QB than Howard.
We need to answer "yes" twice to have a chance to win this game.
14-10 good guys,Pete Giftopoulos comes out of the stands to make the game winning int
Because a loss today doesn't end our season.
Heck, we've won 11 games this year and you haven't accepted winning all year. That is ridiculous.
This--today's game is simply about seeding--win or lose we move on. And losing may give us an easier path in the playoff--may
The answer to both of your questions is a ball control type of passing game with our tight ends and backs, keeping the Oregon offense off the field.
I would not waste many downs trying to run the ball in the traditional manner. Get Singleton in space with swing and screen passes. Use the wheel route. Play at least two tight ends. Tie up Oregon with pass defense near the LOS. That might break an RB free for an occasional run.
Last thing we need on offense is to think we are going to "establish the run." Sure way for a lot of 3 and outs.
Last thing we need to do on defense is to think we're going to beat Oregon by sacking Gabriel on first or second down. He will just beat us on 3rd and long. Would be better to play for interceptions.
Turnovers is the way PSU can win this game.
Both will be tough to do. Gabriel has only been sacked 12 times; intercepted 6 times.
A hot start for us would be huge, but that has happened even less frequently. This teams DNA has been close, gritty games. I don't expect any less today.
Call me Clair.
Oregon hasn’t really impressed. Weak schedule. Played Mich first game when the skunk bears were trying to figure out how to replace 15 NFL draftees. Barely beat Buckeyes. Barely beat Wisky. And the Ducks don’t travel well. Bunch of homers…..
Allar had looked really comfortable lately. Defense is great. Lions 27-17.
I’ll add this / rewatching the OU/OSU game today, Ryan Day lost that game. You are st the Ducks 28 yard line (FG position) 1st down, under 1 minute and you continue throwing the ball. Offensive PI and your are out of FG range.
Believe you have Texas and Oregon confused here.
Oregon played Michigan mid-to-late season. Michigan had multiple losses already. Oregon won comfortably.
Your Texas analysis was spot on though! 😆
