game of the decade.

[Obliviax]

this gets thrown around a lot but Saturday's game is the game of the decade for PSU and tOSU.

For CJF, we've got our best team in years and tOSU appears to be struggling despite having natty-level talent. It is a home game on national TV and a cranked-up crowd. We will probably lose a ton of talent after this season and this opportunity won't come around again for a couple of years in all probability. For CJF, is 10-2 the best we can hope for even under the best of circumstances?

For Day and tOSU, they've lost to UM for four years in a row. They haven't been to a natty game. They are all-in on NIL paying out over $20m this year. They have a loss and another would really hurt their chances for a playoff birth and they still have the UM and Indy games on their schedule. The seat is hot for coach Day and he may not survive a loss to PSU and missing out on a natty birth.

The losing team will have to make some fundamental changes or accept mediocrity. either of those paths will affect these teams more than just the 2024 season.

 

[ram2020]

We say it every year, but "if not now, then when?"

We had our best defense in a decade, maybe more, last year and the offense was so bad we couldn't do it. I think the defense has taken a step back this year, but the offense is better. We are going to lose a lot of pieces next year.....time is now if at all. I just want us to be smartly coached and under control this Saturday. Limit big plays on defense, don't need to do anything radical or outside the structure of the offense when we have the ball. Play a little field position with these guys. Think we need to be aggressive in the pass game, gotta back them up, but that doesn't mean crazy HB passes on 3rd and 4. Considering OSU is a little down, let's just play them straight up.

 

[Obliviax]

 

[Hugh Laurie]

this gets thrown around a lot but Saturday's game is the game of the decade for PSU and tOSU.

For CJF, we've got our best team in years and tOSU appears to be struggling despite having natty-level talent. It is a home game on national TV and a cranked-up crowd. We will probably lose a ton of talent after this season and this opportunity won't come around again for a couple of years in all probability. For CJF, is 10-2 the best we can hope for even under the best of circumstances?

For Day and tOSU, they've lost to UM for four years in a row. They haven't been to a natty game. They are all-in on NIL paying out over $20m this year. They have a loss and another would really hurt their chances for a playoff birth and they still have the UM and Indy games on their schedule. The seat is hot for coach Day and he may not survive a loss to PSU and missing out on a natty birth.

The losing team will have to make some fundamental changes or accept mediocrity. either of those paths will affect these teams more than just the 2024 season.

Ohio State will almost always have the better better players on the field and more of the them. It's just the way it is. They just out recruit most everybody year in and year out. That's the difference. Not by a lot but enough to put them over the top.

I think we have a punchers chance in this one depending on whose healthy and whose not so I'm going to sit back relaxed in my seat with no great expectations and hope for the best knowing that if we come up a little short Saturday but win out the rest of the season, we're all but guaranteed a playoff spot and that's something we never had before.

 

[marshall23]

this gets thrown around a lot but Saturday's game is the game of the decade for PSU and tOSU.

For CJF, we've got our best team in years and tOSU appears to be struggling despite having natty-level talent. It is a home game on national TV and a cranked-up crowd. We will probably lose a ton of talent after this season and this opportunity won't come around again for a couple of years in all probability. For CJF, is 10-2 the best we can hope for even under the best of circumstances?

For Day and tOSU, they've lost to UM for four years in a row. They haven't been to a natty game. They are all-in on NIL paying out over $20m this year. They have a loss and another would really hurt their chances for a playoff birth and they still have the UM and Indy games on their schedule. The seat is hot for coach Day and he may not survive a loss to PSU and missing out on a natty birth.

The losing team will have to make some fundamental changes or accept mediocrity. either of those paths will affect these teams more than just the 2024 season.

7-1 would not spell mediocrity. Victory would not be final and defeat would live on in the hearts of fans for decades. Coaches and team will be at work Sunday regardless of outcome.

 

[KCLion]

Ohio State will almost always have the better better players on the field and more of the them. It's just the way it is. They just out recruit pay most everybody year in and year out. That's the difference. Not by a lot but enough to put them over the top.

I think we have a punchers chance in this one depending on whose healthy and whose not so I'm going to sit back relaxed in my seat with no great expectations and hope for the best knowing that if we come up a little short Saturday but win out the rest of the season, we're all but guaranteed a playoff spot and that's something we never had before.

Fixed one thing

 

[Obliviax]

7-1 would not spell mediocrity. Victory would not be final and defeat would live on in the hearts of fans for decades. Coaches and team will be at work Sunday regardless of outcome.

I never used the word "mediocrity". But it is clear that this is our best chance to beat tOSU in almost ten years (2016). If we lose and accept that, we are indeed accepting being on the fringe of college football championships. Is that good enough? We'll see what the University does.

I agree that it won't affect my life. In fact, I'll film it and watch it later. Life is too short to be upset about a college football game as a fan. Regardless, this game will chart the course of these two programs for several years to come.

 

[ryoder1]

this gets thrown around a lot but Saturday's game is the game of the decade for PSU and tOSU.

For CJF, we've got our best team in years and tOSU appears to be struggling despite having natty-level talent. It is a home game on national TV and a cranked-up crowd. We will probably lose a ton of talent after this season and this opportunity won't come around again for a couple of years in all probability. For CJF, is 10-2 the best we can hope for even under the best of circumstances?

For Day and tOSU, they've lost to UM for four years in a row. They haven't been to a natty game. They are all-in on NIL paying out over $20m this year. They have a loss and another would really hurt their chances for a playoff birth and they still have the UM and Indy games on their schedule. The seat is hot for coach Day and he may not survive a loss to PSU and missing out on a natty birth.

The losing team will have to make some fundamental changes or accept mediocrity. either of those paths will affect these teams more than just the 2024 season.

Both teams can lose and still make the playoffs. This is not an elimination game. In fact, I still expect the loser of this game to make the playoffs. This game is a little like a key NFL game among playoff caliber division foes (think Steelers vs Ravens). The battle is for a division title and better seed in the playoffs not to make the playoffs (yeah I know Oregon is out there but you get my point).

Ohio State if they lose will have zero margin for error moving forward and their fan base will be as mad as a wet hen with Day. But if they win out after this game they are definitely in.

Franklin needs to win to get part of this huge OSU monkey off his back and demonstrate that mentally we can win a game like this. A loss is not a killer as I said but the "can't win the big game" rap rears it's ugly head and continues to dog Franklin. Other concern (not huge but possible) is if a loss produces an extended hangover vs Washington a la Sparty in 2018.

 

[Obliviax]

Both teams can lose and still make the playoffs. This is not an elimination game. In fact, I still expect the loser of this game to make the playoffs. This game is a little like a key NFL game among playoff caliber division foes (think Steelers vs Ravens). The battle is for a division title and better seed in the playoffs not to make the playoffs (yeah I know Oregon is out there but you get my point).

Ohio State if they lose will have zero margin for error moving forward and their fan base will be as bad as a wet hen with Day. But if they win out after this game they are definitely in.

Franklin needs to win to get part of this huge OSU monkey off his back and demonstrate that mentally we can win a game like this. A loss is not a killer as I said but the "can't win the big game" rap rears it's ugly head and continues to dog Franklin. Other concern (not huge but possible) is if a loss produces an extended hangover vs Washington a la Sparty in 2018.

I don't agree, actually.

If tOSU loses, they'll have two losses. I think Oregon, PSU and Indiana (ever if they lose to tOSU) will be ahead of them in the B1G. Will the powers that be take FOUR teams from the B1G in their 12 team playoff? I am not so sure.

 

[JR4PSU]

this gets thrown around a lot but Saturday's game is the game of the decade for PSU and tOSU.

For CJF, we've got our best team in years and tOSU appears to be struggling despite having natty-level talent. It is a home game on national TV and a cranked-up crowd. We will probably lose a ton of talent after this season and this opportunity won't come around again for a couple of years in all probability. For CJF, is 10-2 the best we can hope for even under the best of circumstances?

For Day and tOSU, they've lost to UM for four years in a row. They haven't been to a natty game. They are all-in on NIL paying out over $20m this year. They have a loss and another would really hurt their chances for a playoff birth and they still have the UM and Indy games on their schedule. The seat is hot for coach Day and he may not survive a loss to PSU and missing out on a natty birth.

The losing team will have to make some fundamental changes or accept mediocrity. either of those paths will affect these teams more than just the 2024 season.

I agree with everything except the "mediocrity" statement. Both of these teams, PSU and OSU, are anything but mediocre. No team that consistently finishes in the top 25 year after year could be considered mediocre. And the result of this game isn't about to shove either team into that category.

And, yes, you did use the word "mediocrity".

 

[royboy]

I never used the word "mediocrity". But it is clear that this is our best chance to beat tOSU in almost ten years (2016). If we lose and accept that, we are indeed accepting being on the fringe of college football championships. Is that good enough? We'll see what the University does.

I agree that it won't affect my life. In fact, I'll film it and watch it later. Life is too short to be upset about a college football game as a fan. Regardless, this game will chart the course of these two programs for several years to come.

The losing team will have to make some fundamental changes or accept mediocrity. either of those paths will affect these teams more than just the 2024 season.

 

[JR4PSU]

I don't agree, actually.

If tOSU loses, they'll have two losses. I think Oregon, PSU and Indiana (ever if they lose to tOSU) will be ahead of them in the B1G. Will the powers that be take FOUR teams from the B1G in their 12 team playoff? I am not so sure.

I would go a little further and say: if tOSU loses to us, I predict they will lose to Indiana, as well. The team will be in a serious funk if they lose to us. A three loss tOSU doesn't make it, for sure. Even if every loss is to an undefeated team.

 

[Obliviax]

Oops......I stand corrected. apologies to @ryoder1 .

I guess my thinking is that "mediocrity" is contextual. Purdue would love to be 10-2. tOSU/Oregon/UM don't find that acceptable. if we lose Saturday, we have a decision to make in that is 10-2, our level of mediocrity, acceptable? Lingering around the low level 12-field playoff is not what I want.

 

[JR4PSU]

Oops......I stand corrected. apologies to @ryoder1 .

I guess my thinking is that "mediocrity" is contextual. Purdue would love to be 10-2. tOSU/Oregon/UM don't find that acceptable. if we lose Saturday, we have a decision to make in that is 10-2, our level of mediocrity, acceptable? Lingering around the low level 12-field playoff is not what I want.

I would replace 'mediocrity' in your statement to 'normal'.

i.e. If we lose Saturday, we have a decision to make in that is 10-2, our level of normal, acceptable?

 

[Waltwam]

Ohio State will almost always have the better better players on the field and more of the them. It's just the way it is. They just out recruit most everybody year in and year out. That's the difference. Not by a lot but enough to put them over the top.

I think we have a punchers chance in this one depending on whose healthy and whose not so I'm going to sit back relaxed in my seat with no great expectations and hope for the best knowing that if we come up a little short Saturday but win out the rest of the season, we're all but guaranteed a playoff spot and that's something we never had before.

We've had a punchers chance in a number of these contests! But we've blown 4th qtr leads at there place a few times. I live in Ohio and hate eating crow from these guys! Just win.

 

[ryoder1]

I don't agree, actually.

If tOSU loses, they'll have two losses. I think Oregon, PSU and Indiana (ever if they lose to tOSU) will be ahead of them in the B1G. Will the powers that be take FOUR teams from the B1G in their 12 team playoff? I am not so sure.

They will take four in the playoff even two loss OSU. OSU is #4 now and may drop to 9 or 10 with a loss then work their way back up buoyed by beating Indiana (assuming it does happen but hoping it doesn't). They benefit from losing to two top 3 teams. The only caveat to this would be if Penn State totally dominates them and beats them by like 3 TDs or 17 points something like that then maybe they slip too far but even at that I don't think it would be enough to knock them out of the playoffs.

 

[Obliviax]

They will take four in the playoff even two loss OSU. OSU is #4 now and may drop to 9 or 10 with a loss then work their way back up buoyed by beating Indiana (assuming it does happen but hoping it doesn't). They benefit from losing to two top 3 teams. The only caveat to this would be if Penn State totally dominates them and beats them by like 3 TDs or 17 points something like that then maybe they slip too far but even at that I don't think it would be enough to knock them out of the playoffs.

they'll struggle to keep tOSU above Indy if Indy ends with one loss and tOSU ends with 2. It may happen but really invalidates the value of having a regular season. And if they take a two loss tOSU, they'll have to defend not taking a two-loss SEC team. At some point, you only have 12 teams.

you may well be correct but they'll take a LOT of heat.