Honest feelings...

[PSUisBack2017]

no one cares how I feel, but during today’s game, I was frustrated. The last two games were tough and seeing Barkley get no support from the OL frustrated me.

In reality....we are 8 and 2. Most likely ending 10 and 2. We are so much better off than programs like FLA...Tenn....Baylor....UCLA....FLA ST.....Michigan....

I guess what my feeling is it is good to have high expectations again. NY 6 is nothing to sneeze at...let’s win it this year.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

no one cares how I feel, but during today’s game, I was frustrated. The last two games were tough and seeing Barkley get no support from the OL frustrated me.

In reality....we are 8 and 2. Most likely ending 10 and 2. We are so much better off than programs like FLA...Tenn....Baylor....UCLA....FLA ST.....Michigan....

I guess what my feeling is it is good to have high expectations again. NY 6 is nothing to sneeze at...let’s win it this year.

Except that if you have high expectations, you're told to pump the breaks because this team is ahead of schedule. Which does a disservice to last year's team, who worked like crazy to win the B1G and make it to the Rose Bowl (while getting shafted in the CFP). So, you can look at it two ways - last year was luck, and this year you're seeing the team's 'true' self, but that's not so bad, because help is on the way (if you assume talent is our issue); or last year's team was good, and this year's team isn't as good, likely because our offense isn't as effective for whatever reason (coaching, OL talent), but again, not so bad, because help is on the way (again, if you believe talent is the issue). If you believe coaching is the issue we're boned.

 

[NJPSU]

Except that if you have high expectations, you're told to pump the breaks because this team is ahead of schedule. Which does a disservice to last year's team, who worked like crazy to win the B1G and make it to the Rose Bowl (while getting shafted in the CFP). So, you can look at it two ways - last year was luck, and this year you're seeing the team's 'true' self, but that's not so bad, because help is on the way (if you assume talent is our issue); or last year's team was good, and this year's team isn't as good, likely because our offense isn't as effective for whatever reason (coaching, OL talent), but again, not so bad, because help is on the way (again, if you believe talent is the issue). If you believe coaching is the issue we're boned.

10-2 is boned?

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

10-2 is boned?

No - if you think coaching is the issue ‘we’re boned’ because there aren’t any others coming. That was TIC in case I wasn’t clear.

 

[WDLion]

Except that if you have high expectations, you're told to pump the breaks because this team is ahead of schedule. Which does a disservice to last year's team, who worked like crazy to win the B1G and make it to the Rose Bowl (while getting shafted in the CFP). So, you can look at it two ways - last year was luck, and this year you're seeing the team's 'true' self, but that's not so bad, because help is on the way (if you assume talent is our issue); or last year's team was good, and this year's team isn't as good, likely because our offense isn't as effective for whatever reason (coaching, OL talent), but again, not so bad, because help is on the way (again, if you believe talent is the issue). If you believe coaching is the issue we're boned.

What the fans believe means nothing.

 

[Mister Magoo]

I love Saquon. But, I'm more concerned how the team is doing than
him individually. Betcha he feels the same .

 

[RU31trap]

Alabama, Notre Dame and TCU may lose tonight. I think if you guys win out you may find yourself in the conversation.

 

[fairfaxlion2]

With the way tonight is shaking out, it is very frustrating that PSU did not win one of the previous two games. However, the program has only won 10 games in back-to-back seasons three times since 1985 and Franklin is about to accomplish that feat. That is amazing considering that the program was completely mediocre from 2010-15 and Franklin inherited serious depth problems.

 

[djr4rebs]

Last year's team was unexpected. Expectations remained low through 4 games, primarily due to a blowout loss to what appeared to be the conference champions.

Then, we started to click in the second half of games. OT victory over Minnesota, the Beaver Stadium Block and our utter domination of the Buckeyes in that 4th quarter, revenge wins vs the Terms and Sparty, and an improbable comeback in Indianapolis vs the Badgers to win the conference championship.

We lost a wildly entertaining Rose bowl, but we returned 17, maybe 18 starters and the seed was sewn. Anything less than the playoffs was going to be a disappointment much like anything less than a title is for Bama.

The biggest difference between last year and this is we have had leads in our losses. Hell, we trailed in a lot of our wins last year. It was passing the ball that opened up running lanes and scored points. Had the coaches assessed this after the Iowa game, things could have been different against the Buckeyes and Spartans. The strength of our team is rhythm throwing and Barkley shines when a defense is on their heels. The total destruction of Michigan may have felt redeeming, but it created a false confidence.

Much like last year, we probably are in the playoff with only one loss. It sucks. We want to win em all. The program is only going to get better. We are set to bring in our best class since '91. Things are going to get better.

 

[PSUisBack2017]

Listen, we are far from perfect. Maybe the fact we are even being discussed... considering all the BS we dealt with...does say something

 

[VaNtyLion]

Except that if you have high expectations, you're told to pump the breaks because this team is ahead of schedule. Which does a disservice to last year's team, who worked like crazy to win the B1G and make it to the Rose Bowl (while getting shafted in the CFP). So, you can look at it two ways - last year was luck, and this year you're seeing the team's 'true' self, but that's not so bad, because help is on the way (if you assume talent is our issue); or last year's team was good, and this year's team isn't as good, likely because our offense isn't as effective for whatever reason (coaching, OL talent), but again, not so bad, because help is on the way (again, if you believe talent is the issue). If you believe coaching is the issue we're boned.

Perspective always important. Let's not forget PSU's did not control its own destiny heading into the last weekend of the season for a B1G title game bid. We won a tiebreaker to advance thanks to OSU beating UM. I don't think it's fair to say last year's team worked any harder than this year's team given that this year's team started with a HUGE target on its chest in the form of a top 6 ranking, defending conference champ....yet is a whopping 4 pts from being unbeaten after 10 weeks. Last year's team? They were the hunters, not the hunted.


Coaches don't just turn from being great to sucking and if fans are down on this year its because the staff did such an incredible job last year. Can't say last year was on the players and this year is on the staff. The two are linked.

A few things happening

1 - Opposing teams had 9 months to study up on Moorhead's offense. Like a rookie QB bound for the sophomore slump, I don't think matching last year's production or flow was necessarily realistic.....except that....

2 - PSU actually IS matching its production from last year. They're simply doing it by different means...and while it's not as appealing to the eye or bottom line yardage, the offense is not even remotely as bad as many would suggest (if last year is the standard, anyway).

Just a sampling of offensive metrics from '16 and so far for '17

Points per game:
2016: 37.6 (22nd Nationally)
2017: 38.0 (16th Nationally)

Offensive efficiency (see note below):
2016: 72.6 (22nd Nationally)
2017: 88.0 (8th Nationally)

Points per play run from scrimmage:
2016: 0.55 (8th Nationally)
2017: 0.54 (12th Nationally)


I'm not in any way implying we're without flaws or serious flaws, but I still see a roster that is hampered most importantly by depth to the point the dropoff from the 1s to the 2s (particularly in the trenches) is not where it needs to be yet. Mainly because the 2s are still really young.

_________
Team efficiencies are based on the point contributions of each unit to the team's scoring margin, on a per-play basis. The values are adjusted for strength of schedule and down-weighted for "garbage time" (based on win probability). The scale goes from 0 to 100; higher numbers are better and the average is roughly 50 for all categories. Efficiencies update daily during the season.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

What the fans believe means nothing.

Says you.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Perspective always important. Let's not forget PSU's did not control its own destiny heading into the last weekend of the season for a B1G title game bid. We won a tiebreaker to advance thanks to OSU beating UM. I don't think it's fair to say last year's team worked any harder than this year's team given that this year's team started with a HUGE target on its chest in the form of a top 6 ranking, defending conference champ....yet is a whopping 4 pts from being unbeaten after 10 weeks. Last year's team? They were the hunters, not the hunted.


Coaches don't just turn from being great to sucking and if fans are down on this year its because the staff did such an incredible job last year. Can't say last year was on the players and this year is on the staff. The two are linked.

A few things happening

1 - Opposing teams had 9 months to study up on Moorhead's offense. Like a rookie QB bound for the sophomore slump, I don't think matching last year's production or flow was necessarily realistic.....except that....

2 - PSU actually IS matching its production from last year. They're simply doing it by different means...and while it's not as appealing to the eye or bottom line yardage, the offense is not even remotely as bad as many would suggest (if last year is the standard, anyway).

Just a sampling of offensive metrics from '16 and so far for '17

Points per game:
2016: 37.6 (22nd Nationally)
2017: 38.0 (16th Nationally)

Offensive efficiency (see note below):
2016: 72.6 (22nd Nationally)
2017: 88.0 (8th Nationally)

Points per play run from scrimmage:
2016: 0.55 (8th Nationally)
2017: 0.54 (12th Nationally)


I'm not in any way implying we're without flaws or serious flaws, but I still see a roster that is hampered most importantly by depth to the point the dropoff from the 1s to the 2s (particularly in the trenches) is not where it needs to be yet. Mainly because the 2s are still really young.

_________
Team efficiencies are based on the point contributions of each unit to the team's scoring margin, on a per-play basis. The values are adjusted for strength of schedule and down-weighted for "garbage time" (based on win probability). The scale goes from 0 to 100; higher numbers are better and the average is roughly 50 for all categories. Efficiencies update daily during the season.

Saying last year and this year’s teams are ahead of schedule is disingenuous and implies last year was luck. That is all.

 

[AWS1022]

Except that if you have high expectations, you're told to pump the breaks because this team is ahead of schedule. Which does a disservice to last year's team, who worked like crazy to win the B1G and make it to the Rose Bowl (while getting shafted in the CFP). So, you can look at it two ways - last year was luck, and this year you're seeing the team's 'true' self, but that's not so bad, because help is on the way (if you assume talent is our issue); or last year's team was good, and this year's team isn't as good, likely because our offense isn't as effective for whatever reason (coaching, OL talent), but again, not so bad, because help is on the way (again, if you believe talent is the issue). If you believe coaching is the issue we're boned.

This year we lost close games to OSU and MSU. Last year we got beat by Pitt and got crushed by UM. We have the same record this year through 10 games with the losses not being nearly as bad as last year. So this year's team is definitely as good.

 

[Nittany18]

Should be undefeated right now. Lost two games when victory was in their grasp. That being said, I love the direction Franklin is taking this team and the future is bright. We Are...!!

 

[AWS1022]

Should be undefeated right now. Lost two games when victory was in their grasp. That being said, I love the direction Franklin is taking this team and the future is bright. We Are...!!

We could also have just as easily lost to Iowa, so you have to look at it both ways.

 

[lein]

What is frustrating is how close we lost, 2 last minute losses.

 

[fairfaxlion2]

We could also have just as easily lost to Iowa, so you have to look at it both ways.

Yep. There was also a moment in the Michigan game where it looked like we were about to give them all the momentum.8-2 is good for this group

 

[PSU65]

Except that if you have high expectations, you're told to pump the breaks because this team is ahead of schedule. Which does a disservice to last year's team, who worked like crazy to win the B1G and make it to the Rose Bowl (while getting shafted in the CFP). So, you can look at it two ways - last year was luck, and this year you're seeing the team's 'true' self, but that's not so bad, because help is on the way (if you assume talent is our issue); or last year's team was good, and this year's team isn't as good, likely because our offense isn't as effective for whatever reason (coaching, OL talent), but again, not so bad, because help is on the way (again, if you believe talent is the issue). If you believe coaching is the issue we're boned.

I think maybe the opposing coaches have come up with some effective ways to control our O, which they didn't have last year--we surprised people. We're actually probably better than last year.

 

[Nitwit97]

Last year's team was unexpected. Expectations remained low through 4 games, primarily due to a blowout loss to what appeared to be the conference champions.

Then, we started to click in the second half of games. OT victory over Minnesota, the Beaver Stadium Block and our utter domination of the Buckeyes in that 4th quarter, revenge wins vs the Terms and Sparty, and an improbable comeback in Indianapolis vs the Badgers to win the conference championship.

We lost a wildly entertaining Rose bowl, but we returned 17, maybe 18 starters and the seed was sewn. Anything less than the playoffs was going to be a disappointment much like anything less than a title is for Bama.

The biggest difference between last year and this is we have had leads in our losses. Hell, we trailed in a lot of our wins last year. It was passing the ball that opened up running lanes and scored points. Had the coaches assessed this after the Iowa game, things could have been different against the Buckeyes and Spartans. The strength of our team is rhythm throwing and Barkley shines when a defense is on their heels. The total destruction of Michigan may have felt redeeming, but it created a false confidence.

Much like last year, we probably are in the playoff with only one loss. It sucks. We want to win em all. The program is only going to get better. We are set to bring in our best class since '91. Things are going to get better.[/QUOTE

This is spot on. Expectations were high. I don’t buy the narrative that “we are ahead of schedule”. When you win the Big Ten Title, your schedule needs to be adjusted. Correct, what have we trailed for this year, like 15 to 20 minutes through 10 games. Had they just taken care of business last week, that Ohio St loss would have just been a blip and we would be right in the thick of everything. As it is, the best that can be achieved is staying in the conversation of NY6 bowl and keeping relevant to attract more talent. I will be proud of the team in January, but right now, this season was an opporunity lost.