Great season........

[LaJolla Lion]

Let’s be really honest though. Passing game is awful compared to LSU, OSU, and Clemson. Not even close. They are night and day better.

PSU has no intermediate passing game. Screens or bombs. I think the Frosh need to make an impact next year at WR and Rahne needs to pick apart himself if he is lucky enough to come back. Friends or not, CJF wants a title and next year could be a year to make a run,,,,,,but this passing game needs help. Levis looked atrocious out there today.

 

[LionDeNittany]

Let’s be really honest though. Passing game is awful compared to LSU, OSU, and Clemson. Not even close. They are night and day better.

PSU has no intermediate passing game. Screens or bombs. I think the Frosh need to make an impact next year at WR and Rahne needs to pick apart himself if he is lucky enough to come back. Friends or not, CJF wants a title and next year could be a year to make a run,,,,,,but this passing game needs help. Levis looked atrocious out there today.

OMG you are such a whiner.

10-2 be happy.

LdN

 

[WestSideLion]

Follow LSU’s blueprint. Find a top passing game coach and hire him. I suspect Rahne’s number is up, though. He’s had two subpar seasons to improve.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

The Rahne issue may become FSU’s issue.

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

Let’s be really honest though. Passing game is awful compared to LSU, OSU, and Clemson. Not even close. They are night and day better.

PSU has no intermediate passing game. Screens or bombs. I think the Frosh need to make an impact next year at WR and Rahne needs to pick apart himself if he is lucky enough to come back. Friends or not, CJF wants a title and next year could be a year to make a run,,,,,,but this passing game needs help. Levis looked atrocious out there today.

You’re such a Negative Nellie. 2020 is PSU’s year.

 

[Ian]

Franklin needs to make changes on Defense, too. Pry should be looking for a head coaching spot somewhere. I suspect a few other coaches will be gone. You can clearly see Franklin’s frustration. Rutgers moved the ball on them! WTF... no excuses for that. None.

 

[PennState_one]

Follow LSU’s blueprint. Find a top passing game coach and hire him. I suspect Rahne’s number is up, though. He’s had two subpar seasons to improve.

Franklin is extremely loyal, so it will be interesting to see how he handles this offseason.

 

[sluggo72]

Follow LSU’s blueprint. Find a top passing game coach and hire him. I suspect Rahne’s number is up, though. He’s had two subpar seasons to improve.

Huh? LSU top passing game guy??
Well their passing game coordinator was a GA AT PSU like 3 yrs ago
And their current OC sounds like RR. TE coach moved to OC

Now in his ninth year with the Tigers, Ensminger spent the majority of his career on the LSU staff coaching tight ends and being a big part of the Tigers recruiting efforts before the promotion to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2018.

 

[JoeBot409]

Let’s be really honest though. Passing game is awful compared to LSU, OSU, and Clemson. Not even close. They are night and day better.

PSU has no intermediate passing game. Screens or bombs. I think the Frosh need to make an impact next year at WR and Rahne needs to pick apart himself if he is lucky enough to come back. Friends or not, CJF wants a title and next year could be a year to make a run,,,,,,but this passing game needs help. Levis looked atrocious out there today.

Rahne should not be back and whole offense stunk against top opponents. Season was ok, they got destroyed by Minnesota

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Franklin is extremely loyal, so it will be interesting to see how he handles this offseason.

Loyal, but not to a fault. He’s already pulled the plug before. Let’s see.

 

[BrianS]

Let’s be really honest though. Passing game is awful compared to LSU, OSU, and Clemson. Not even close. They are night and day better.

PSU has no intermediate passing game. Screens or bombs. I think the Frosh need to make an impact next year at WR and Rahne needs to pick apart himself if he is lucky enough to come back. Friends or not, CJF wants a title and next year could be a year to make a run,,,,,,but this passing game needs help. Levis looked atrocious out there today.

You're right LaJolla! We never see a good SCREEN play, and our draws are BRUTAL! And I"m sick and tired of our "sideways" plays! They never, ever get positive yardage.

 

[danvillenit]

Let’s be really honest though. Passing game is awful compared to LSU, OSU, and Clemson. Not even close. They are night and day better.

PSU has no intermediate passing game. Screens or bombs. I think the Frosh need to make an impact next year at WR and Rahne needs to pick apart himself if he is lucky enough to come back. Friends or not, CJF wants a title and next year could be a year to make a run,,,,,,but this passing game needs help. Levis looked atrocious out there today.

As I keep pointing out. Those three teams have potential #1 draft picks at QB and multiple top receivers. Levis was ranked like

Let’s be really honest though. Passing game is awful compared to LSU, OSU, and Clemson. Not even close. They are night and day better.

PSU has no intermediate passing game. Screens or bombs. I think the Frosh need to make an impact next year at WR and Rahne needs to pick apart himself if he is lucky enough to come back. Friends or not, CJF wants a title and next year could be a year to make a run,,,,,,but this passing game needs help. Levis looked atrocious out there today.

of course those three teams have potential #1 draft picks at QB. You think that would make a difference?

 

[danvillenit]

of course those three teams have potential #1 draft picks at QB. You think that would make a difference?[/QUOTE]

 

[Mixolydian]

Let’s be really honest though. Passing game is awful compared to LSU, OSU, and Clemson. Not even close. They are night and day better.

PSU has no intermediate passing game. Screens or bombs. I think the Frosh need to make an impact next year at WR and Rahne needs to pick apart himself if he is lucky enough to come back. Friends or not, CJF wants a title and next year could be a year to make a run,,,,,,but this passing game needs help. Levis looked atrocious out there today.

The offense has SERIOUS issues that must be corrected if this team is ever going to progress to the next level. For me the most disappointing thing is that Rahne’s offenses do not seem to improve as seasons progress. If anything they stagnate or regress. If that is as good as you can prepare your backup QB (who has been in the program two full years) to play against that level of competition, there is something wrong with your QB coach/OC. But I know I’m not allowed to say that so I will show myself out.

 

[NittanyIllinois]

OMG you are such a whiner.

10-2 be happy.

LdN

I mean, he's right.

I'm thrilled with 10-2 and a likely Rose Bowl. THRILLED.

But we have some serious work to do on offense if we're going to contend next year. The offensive scheme is not even close to the top teams in the country. And for the second year in the row, this offense stalled down the stretch and struggled to score points.

Talent/personnel, coaches, execution. Whatever it is, we've got a ways to go to get to where we all want to be.

In the meantime, it's insane to be anything but happy with a 10-2 season.

 

[bvillebaron]

The offense has SERIOUS issues that must be corrected if this team is ever going to progress to the next level. For me the most disappointing thing is that Rahne’s offenses do not seem to improve as seasons progress. If anything they stagnate or regress. If that is as good as you can prepare your backup QB who has been in the program two full years, there is something wrong with your QB coach/OC. But I know I’m not allowed to say that so I will show myself out.

Say whatever you want. You sure as hell haven’t been bashful in the past. Seriously did you ever play any sport in your life? This was Levis’ first start. Reps in practice can’t replicate playing in a game. Maybe Levis is simply not that good at throwing. Does anyone have any questions about why Clifford is the starter any more?

 

[LaJolla Lion]

The offense has SERIOUS issues that must be corrected if this team is ever going to progress to the next level. For me the most disappointing thing is that Rahne’s offenses do not seem to improve as seasons progress. If anything they stagnate or regress. If that is as good as you can prepare your backup QB (who has been in the program two full years) to play against that level of competition, there is something wrong with your QB coach/OC. But I know I’m not allowed to say that so I will show myself out.

Where is the intermediate passing game? Is this the best we can do with a backup against RU? Really?

 

[LaJolla Lion]

You're right LaJolla! We never see a good SCREEN play, and our draws are BRUTAL! And I"m sick and tired of our "sideways" plays! They never, ever get positive yardage.

You have to mix it up. Where is the intermediate passing attack? We just out talented RU, but hot Schiller on both sides. Very bad performance.

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

Where is the intermediate passing game? Is this the best we can do with a backup against RU? Really?

Stop being Debbie “Overt Racist” Downer. We have the Rose Bowl and 2020 to fix some things.

 

[KSLion]

Let’s be really honest though. Passing game is awful compared to LSU, OSU, and Clemson. Not even close. They are night and day better.

PSU has no intermediate passing game. Screens or bombs. I think the Frosh need to make an impact next year at WR and Rahne needs to pick apart himself if he is lucky enough to come back. Friends or not, CJF wants a title and next year could be a year to make a run,,,,,,but this passing game needs help. Levis looked atrocious out there today.

From where I sit, Levis looked green as grass which, obviously, is exactly what he is. Which means he will at times play poorly and make the mistakes which inevitably accompany inexperience. Allowing him to begin his journey up the learning curve against a weak, outmanned opponent and accepting those mistakes as a natural by-product of the decision was a risk worth taking to allow the starter to be 100% physically for this year's Bowl.

It would be interesting to know just how much of the playbook sat on the bench with Clifford today.

 

[danvillenit]

I mean, he's right.

I'm thrilled with 10-2 and a likely Rose Bowl. THRILLED.

But we have some serious work to do on offense if we're going to contend next year. The offensive scheme is not even close to the top teams in the country. And for the second year in the row, this offense stalled down the stretch and struggled to score points.

Talent/personnel, coaches, execution. Whatever it is, we've got a ways to go to get to where we all want to be.

In the meantime, it's insane to be anything but happy with a 10-2 season.

It’s not insane when you are an armchair expert and can determine which plays didn’t work after the fact.

 

[lionpride90]

Interesting season. We won some games in which we were outplayed. On the flip side we didn't lose any we should have won. Sort of regressed along the way. I think the offensive anemia ultimately impacted the defense. Rutgers for the last game is a joke. Every other elite or semi-elite team played a meaningful game. Combined with the speculation about JF to Florida State added some to the lack of enthusiasm in our house.

 

[4rosco]

Where is the intermediate passing game? Is this the best we can do with a backup against RU? Really?

That's the big play philosophy. They want 40 yard plays not long drives that keep moving the chains

 

[LaJolla Lion]

From where I sit, Levis looked green as grass, which is obviously what he is. It would be interesting to know just how much of the playbook sat on the bench with Clifford today.

That was the worst team on the schedule. The worst. By far, the worst. He had 32 yards in 3 quarters. That was bad, really bad. No doubt he is the better runner, but we now know why Clifford starts.

 

[WestSideLion]

Huh? LSU top passing game guy??
Well their passing game coordinator was a GA AT PSU like 3 yrs ago
And their current OC sounds like RR. TE coach moved to OC

Now in his ninth year with the Tigers, Ensminger spent the majority of his career on the LSU staff coaching tight ends and being a big part of the Tigers recruiting efforts before the promotion to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2018.

We can’t argue with the results.

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

That was the worst team on the schedule. The worst. By far, the worst. He had 32 yards in 3 quarters. That was bad, really bad. No doubt he is the better runner, but we now know why Clifford starts.

I hate fans like you that can’t enjoy a win for what it is...a Win.

 

[Mixolydian]

Say whatever you want. You sure as hell haven’t been bashful in the past. Seriously did you ever play any sport in your life? This was Levis’ first start. Reps in practice can’t replicate playing in a game. Maybe Levis is simply not that good at throwing. Does anyone have any questions about why Clifford is the starter any more?

Yeah I played sports and my son is currently a D1 athlete, but spare me that irrelevant BS. I’m not putting this on Levis. We didn’t even really try to pass against a crap defense. We had no intermediate passing game all season and no reliable WRs after Hamler and Dotson. If the backup QB isn’t ready to run the offense at some reasonable level 11 games into the season, that is on the QB coach/OC.

 

[sluggo72]

That's the big play philosophy. They want 40 yard plays not long drives that keep moving the chains

Yet that’s what they got and needed vs Indiana

 

[lionpride90]

We will finish top 25 in overall offensive stats, but except for the Indy game did not score more than 30 after the first week in October. Most of those stats were skewed by Idaho and Maryland. Building a passing game on "explosive play" metrics is great, but that does not mean we should be completely unable to establish a rhythm passing game or create route trees that touch the middle of the field.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I mean, he's right.

I'm thrilled with 10-2 and a likely Rose Bowl. THRILLED.

But we have some serious work to do on offense if we're going to contend next year. The offensive scheme is not even close to the top teams in the country. And for the second year in the row, this offense stalled down the stretch and struggled to score points.

Talent/personnel, coaches, execution. Whatever it is, we've got a ways to go to get to where we all want to be.

In the meantime, it's insane to be anything but happy with a 10-2 season.

The bigger, more jagged pill to swallow is we're likely in the CFP with a win over Minny and things shake out the way they did today (assuming OSU reams Wisconsin again). Ah well.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

You have to mix it up. Where is the intermediate passing attack? We just out talented RU, but hot Schiller on both sides. Very bad performance.

Need to recruit better at QB. Levis is no doubt a great athlete, and Clifford has shown things from time to time, but need a legit bluechip at QB which is something Franklin hasn't had to date (noting he's had two bail after committing).

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Need to recruit better at QB. Levis is no doubt a great athlete, and Clifford has shown things from time to time, but need a legit bluechip at QB which is something Franklin hasn't had to date (noting he's had two bail after committing).

Yeah, something tells me we are in Indy with Fields at QB. Tough pill to swallow but he gave it a go for him. JoMo leaving killed that deal, it happens.

 

[bvillebaron]

From where I sit, Levis looked green as grass, which is obviously what he is. It would be interesting to know just how much of the playbook sat on the bench with Clifford today.

A ton.

 

[Nitt1300]

you play to win the game

 

[4rosco]

Yet that’s what they got and needed vs Indiana

So one drive.
Listen to Franklin's press conferences he is always talking about the big plays and how that is one of the key metrics they look at

 

[bvillebaron]

Yeah I played sports and my son is currently a D1 athlete, but spare me that irrelevant BS. I’m not putting this on Levis. We didn’t even really try to pass against a crap defense. We had no intermediate passing game all season and no reliable WRs after Hamler and Dotson. If the backup QB isn’t ready to run the offense at some reasonable level 11 games into the season, that is on the QB coach/OC.

Whatever. Really easy from an armchair isn’t it. Time will tell, but I’m wondering if Levis just isn’t that good of a thrower and that’s unlikely to change regardless of how much coaching he gets. But hey it’s always the coaches’ fault right?

 

[Mixolydian]

Whatever. Really easy from an armchair isn’t it. Time will tell, but I’m wondering if Levis just isn’t that good of a thrower and that’s unlikely to change regardless of how much coaching he gets. But hey it’s always the coaches’ fault right?

The coaches recruit, develop and prepare them, so yes it is. I never said it was easy. From your armchair your happy with the offense, from mine I’m not. Whatever.

 

[NittanyIllinois]

Whatever. Really easy from an armchair isn’t it. Time will tell, but I’m wondering if Levis just isn’t that good of a thrower and that’s unlikely to change regardless of how much coaching he gets. But hey it’s always the coaches’ fault right?

It's probably true that Levis is challenged in the passing game -- at least at this stage. He threw a few nice balls, but he didn't really throw enough to get a great idea one way or the other. Perhaps that's because the staff knows he's challenged, and designed a friendly scheme to take advantage of his legs.

Whatever the case, the plays we called in the passing game were unimaginative. Again. There's very little in the passing game underneath.......it's either short yardage out on the edge (hoping to use blockers in front to get Hamler some space), or we take shots down the field. We rarely connect on crossing routes or quick slants or any variety of passing plays that most top-15 type teams can execute.

Now, is it because we simply lack the WRs? Perhaps. But there's not a lot of imagination in our scheme.

 

[delcoLion]

Preseason, I predicted 8-4, I thought that the graduation losses, portal losses, and QB replacement would drag down the record. I was wrong and it turned out to be a very good season. If they can win their bowl game, then it will be a great season.

I always mention that I'm not a coach, just a fan. It seems to me that PSU has to get more physical on both lines. I'm more concerned about the defense, in contrast to most of my fellow posters, I think defense is the #1 priority. That's not to say that the offense is OK. If Clifford improves, which should happen, the offense will look better.

 

[Mister Magoo]

We can only work with what we have. Our wr’s need to spend more time with the Juggs machine.

Sean has a lot of tools. If he works on climbing the pocket, he can become a very good qb. Give him more responsibility at LOS too.

87 is back. Muy bueno.

If KJ comes back, we have to find a way to free him up better. Psst. Call Josh McDaniels and look at what Pats do with Edelman.

I like Levis package. Don’t be afraid to use him.

OL has to decide if they’re ok going 10-2, or do they want to be great. A lot of talent there if everyone comes back.