Like many on this board, I sat dejected after the 4th and 5 play. Have had time to reflect quite a bit since the end of the game and I'm both happy and sad.
Happy that we went toe to toe with the undisputed heavyweight of the B1G. Yes, OSU is the cream of the Big Ten crop and has been, overall, for many years. But PSU gave as good as they got for the entire game. There were several plays, IMO, that, had they gone slightly differently, could have changed the outcome to a Penn State win. There is NOT a significant gap between the 2 teams - players, coaching, anything. In fact, if one were to dream, if PSU had Buchholz, Brown and Bowen, I think the outcome would not have been as close, but they no longer wear Blue and White, so we move on.
Sad because I truly believe this team is playoff caliber and, unless something truly unforeseen happens, it will not be in the final 4 at the end of the season. Not saying we'd win the natty if we made the playoff, but you've got to get there to have a shot. I know many on this board think the team will be even better next year (and I hope that is the case), but without Trace leading the O I think we either take a small step backwards or maybe maintain our position. It will be hard without a senior, game-tested, baller like Trace leading the O, making everyone on the sideline think we have a chance as long as he has the ball in his hands and there is time on the clock.
Obviously it takes many things to win a national championship - players, coaches, intangibles and a few breaks (or call it luck if you want). Saquon and Trace last year, and Trace this year, bring the intangibles that, in my opinion, are crucial to that kind of success. Players that can singlehandedly take over a game and will their team to victory. I just don't see anyone stepping into that role next year (although I will be the first to happily admit I was wrong if it happens), and (unless you're Alabama) chances like this don't come along every year.
Final thoughts. Who among us thinks that if PSU had hung on to beat OSU last year that the Lions would then have turned around and lost to MSU? I'd bet anything they would have steamrolled the Spartans and made the playoff and then, as OSU showed in 2014, anything can happen. I actually expect PSU to win out this season going forward, but we don't control our own destiny even if we do and that just plain sucks.
Happy that we went toe to toe with the undisputed heavyweight of the B1G. Yes, OSU is the cream of the Big Ten crop and has been, overall, for many years. But PSU gave as good as they got for the entire game. There were several plays, IMO, that, had they gone slightly differently, could have changed the outcome to a Penn State win. There is NOT a significant gap between the 2 teams - players, coaching, anything. In fact, if one were to dream, if PSU had Buchholz, Brown and Bowen, I think the outcome would not have been as close, but they no longer wear Blue and White, so we move on.
Sad because I truly believe this team is playoff caliber and, unless something truly unforeseen happens, it will not be in the final 4 at the end of the season. Not saying we'd win the natty if we made the playoff, but you've got to get there to have a shot. I know many on this board think the team will be even better next year (and I hope that is the case), but without Trace leading the O I think we either take a small step backwards or maybe maintain our position. It will be hard without a senior, game-tested, baller like Trace leading the O, making everyone on the sideline think we have a chance as long as he has the ball in his hands and there is time on the clock.
Obviously it takes many things to win a national championship - players, coaches, intangibles and a few breaks (or call it luck if you want). Saquon and Trace last year, and Trace this year, bring the intangibles that, in my opinion, are crucial to that kind of success. Players that can singlehandedly take over a game and will their team to victory. I just don't see anyone stepping into that role next year (although I will be the first to happily admit I was wrong if it happens), and (unless you're Alabama) chances like this don't come along every year.
Final thoughts. Who among us thinks that if PSU had hung on to beat OSU last year that the Lions would then have turned around and lost to MSU? I'd bet anything they would have steamrolled the Spartans and made the playoff and then, as OSU showed in 2014, anything can happen. I actually expect PSU to win out this season going forward, but we don't control our own destiny even if we do and that just plain sucks.
