I am happy about the Cotton Bowl..

[SUPERTODD]

for a number of reasons.

1) I really don’t give a damn about the Rose Bowl at all. Most years it is not a better bowl than the Cotton, because the Big and PAC representatives, especially in the CFP era, are never clearly better than the teams in the rest of the country. Its “prestige” is a product of hype.

2) Because we are obsessive fans of Penn State we overestimate the value of beating a “name” team over just winning a bowl game. Recruits are going to see we won 11 games. That will keep the recruiting progress going which will in turn keep us closer to closing the gap on the top 4 or 5 programs. We have a better chance to beat Memphis than Oregon. All that matters is the 11 wins. What recruit knows who we played two years ago in a bowl?

3) Playing against a new opponent is cool.

4) We haven’t played in the Cotton Bowl since the 1970s. I am going to go get a cool new T Shirt.

5) **** the Big. Hope Wiscy gets motor boated by Oregon and O$U humiliated by Clemson. All I care about is We Are.

 

[lionville]

for a number of reasons.

1) I really don’t give a damn about the Rose Bowl at all. Most years it is not a better bowl than the Cotton, because the Big and PAC representatives, especially in the CFP era, are never clearly better than the teams in the rest of the country. Its “prestige” is a product of hype.

2) Because we are obsessive fans of Penn State we overestimate the value of beating a “name” team over just winning a bowl game. Recruits are going to see we won 11 games. That will keep the recruiting progress going which will in turn keep us closer to closing the gap on the top 4 or 5 programs. We have a better chance to beat Memphis than Oregon. All that matters is the 11 wins. What recruit knows who we played two years ago in a bowl?

3) Playing against a new opponent is cool.

4) We haven’t played in the Cotton Bowl since the 1970s. I am going to go get a cool new T Shirt.

5) **** the Big. Hope Wiscy gets motor boated by Oregon and O$U humiliated by Clemson. All I care about is We Are.

I guarantee you if Michigan had PSU’s record and finished 2nd in the East they would be going to Pasadena. That’s what angers many people.

 

[1PSUfootball1]

Some valid points there Todd. I just worry about the team getting up to play a team like Memphis (See last year). Also I'm tire of getting hosed. It seems like the goal posts always get moved when it comes to our team.

 

[1PSUfootball1]

I guarantee you if Michigan had PSU’s record and finished 2nd in the East they would be going to Pasadena. That’s what angers many people.

No doubt about that! NONE

 

[WichitaKid]

Do not underestimate Memphis. I have watched several of their games this year. They will likely score somewhere in the high 20's or low 30's. PSU needs to be ready for a high-power offense.
I am not at all disappointed in not going to the Rose Bowl. From Kansas, attendance at the game and parade would run us well into the thousands. We can drive down to Dallas from Wichita in 5-6 hours. Already ordered our tickets and booked our hotel.

 

[Art]

Do not underestimate Memphis. I have watched several of their games this year. They will likely score somewhere in the high 20's or low 30's. PSU needs to be ready for a high-power offense.
I am not at all disappointed in not going to the Rose Bowl. From Kansas, attendance at the game and parade would run us well into the thousands. We can drive down to Dallas from Wichita in 5-6 hours. Already ordered our tickets and booked our hotel.

Enjoy. Hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[Lion-skier]

for a number of reasons.

1) I really don’t give a damn about the Rose Bowl at all. Most years it is not a better bowl than the Cotton, because the Big and PAC representatives, especially in the CFP era, are never clearly better than the teams in the rest of the country. Its “prestige” is a product of hype.

2) Because we are obsessive fans of Penn State we overestimate the value of beating a “name” team over just winning a bowl game. Recruits are going to see we won 11 games. That will keep the recruiting progress going which will in turn keep us closer to closing the gap on the top 4 or 5 programs. We have a better chance to beat Memphis than Oregon. All that matters is the 11 wins. What recruit knows who we played two years ago in a bowl?

3) Playing against a new opponent is cool.

4) We haven’t played in the Cotton Bowl since the 1970s. I am going to go get a cool new T Shirt.

5) **** the Big. Hope Wiscy gets motor boated by Oregon and O$U humiliated by Clemson. All I care about is We Are.

You would care about the Rose Bowl if you were playing or attending. The Rose bowl is a reward for a team and fan base. The Cotton Bowl is a punishment. Have you ever attended a Rose Bowl? If you have then you know it's called the "Grand Daddy" because the history and events that have shaped the Bowl game for 100 years. The Cotton Bowl is not even close.

It would be a much better challenge and stepping stone for next years playoffs run to have played Oregon than Memphis. I have seen some of the players tweets about the Cotton Bowl and I do not have a good feeling about this game now. It's all about motivation with these young players. How can you say this is a (good situation) after last year's Kentucky effort and this year's player sentiment?

Power five teams playing in bowl games against non-power five teams have absolutely nothing to gain and have performed poorly. Just look at the history. Unfortunately this appears to be a clear lose-lose situation.

 

[nits74]

Do not underestimate Memphis. I have watched several of their games this year. They will likely score somewhere in the high 20's or low 30's. PSU needs to be ready for a high-power offense.
I am not at all disappointed in not going to the Rose Bowl. From Kansas, attendance at the game and parade would run us well into the thousands. We can drive down to Dallas from Wichita in 5-6 hours. Already ordered our tickets and booked our hotel.

I'd rather spend my 5-6 hours in Wichita watching reruns of Gunsmoke than going to that game.

 

[lionville]

Do not underestimate Memphis. I have watched several of their games this year. They will likely score somewhere in the high 20's or low 30's. PSU needs to be ready for a high-power offense.
I am not at all disappointed in not going to the Rose Bowl. From Kansas, attendance at the game and parade would run us well into the thousands. We can drive down to Dallas from Wichita in 5-6 hours. Already ordered our tickets and booked our hotel.

Maybe CJF can hire their OC and bring that high powered offense to state college.

 

[Cosmos]

I guarantee you if Michigan had PSU’s record and finished 2nd in the East they would be going to Pasadena. That’s what angers many people.

^^^ this ^^

 

[HazletonLion]

Cotton Bowl is better than no bowl at all, yeah as a fan i felt we got screwed by the talking heads, the team has to get it together, grow up and show up. Franklin knows deep down what he has to do, right now it's about prepping for next year more than finishing this year. I used to be one of those fans wishing the Big would do well , now screw them all.

 

[Cosmos]

You would care about the Rose Bowl if you were playing or attending. The Rose bowl is a reward for a team and fan base. The Cotton Bowl is a punishment. Have you ever attended a Rose Bowl? If you have then you know it's called the "Grand Daddy" because the history and events that have shaped the Bowl game for 100 years. The Cotton Bowl is not even close.

It would be a much better challenge and stepping stone for next years playoffs run to have played Oregon than Memphis. I have seen some of the players tweets about the Cotton Bowl and I do not have a good feeling about this game now. It's all about motivation with these young players. How can you say this is a (good situation) after last year's Kentucky effort and this year's player sentiment?

Power five teams playing in bowl games against non-power five teams have absolutely nothing to gain and have performed poorly. Just look at the history. Unfortunately this appears to be a clear lose-lose situation.

^^ This, too. ^^

 

[PennSt8er]

Very few eyeballs will be on this game. And any effort will be forgotten in the hype of the others. This is what happens when you lose games you should win.

 

[TheBumble]

I think a lot of the angst from fans is coming from fear. Fear of losing to a team like Memphis. Same with the Pitt series. People bashed that series to the point you could tell they were just scared of the possibility of losing. Easier to just not play the game.

 

[canuckhal]

It would be a much better challenge and stepping stone for next years playoffs run to have played Oregon than Memphis. I have seen some of the players tweets about the Cotton Bowl and I do not have a good feeling about this game now. It's all about motivation with these young players. How can you say this is a (good situation) after last year's Kentucky effort and this year's player sentiment?

Following your logic and another way of looking at it: what should motivate the team and staff is the fact that 2 losses do not get you into the final 4. And losing to MN doesn't get you to the Rose Bowl. A young team with loads of returning players can use this as motivation. Have to take care of business each and every week.

 

[We Are . . .]

A winter “vacation” in central Texas.

I’m guessing there might be a worse location for a Bowl Game...... Detroit comes to mind..... but it’s got to be in the running for one of the worst.

Central Texas??? Maps. Maps are good.

 

[SUPERTODD]

I guarantee you if Michigan had PSU’s record and finished 2nd in the East they would be going to Pasadena. That’s what angers many people.

I get that. I really do, but refuse to allow the BIG clowns to rent any more space in my brain than necessary. And we don’t lose any money. The bowl money is split. It really only screws the conference. The third best team in the BIG has less of a chance of beating Oregon than we do. We get an easier game and the fourth best team in the conference who “we got lucky to beat” is going to get obliterated by Bama. If the conference thinks they got one over on us, they didn’t.

 

[fairfaxlion2]

I get that. I really do, but refuse to allow the BIG clowns to rent any more space in my brain than necessary. And we don’t lose any money. The bowl money is split. It really only screws the conference. The third best team in the BIG has less of a chance of beating Oregon than we do. We get an easier game and the fourth best team in the conference who “we got lucky to beat” is going to get obliterated by Bama. If the conference thinks they got one over on us, they didn’t.

It could easily be a situation where only PSU and Minnesota come out of this with wins.

BTW, Minnesota got screwed worse than PSU. Why the F is Michigan ahead of them?

 

[NittPicker]

It could easily be a situation where only PSU and Minnesota come out of this with wins.

BTW, Minnesota got screwed worse than PSU. Why the F is Michigan ahead of them?

My guess is because a Michigan-Alabama match up has more brand appeal than Minnesota-Alabama. Certainly not fair to the Gophers.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Yes. They are .

Or, just take a ****ing look out your window

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Texas


And central Texas, in late December, sucks.

Not in Austin - the heart of Centex. Other than Christmas cedar allergies, it’s awesome

 

[Lion-skier]

Following your logic and another way of looking at it: what should motivate the team and staff is the fact that 2 losses do not get you into the final 4. And losing to MN doesn't get you to the Rose Bowl. A young team with loads of returning players can use this as motivation. Have to take care of business each and every week.

I think one of the things that Paterno did better than any coach was getting his team ready to play a bowl game. It seems like a long time ago because I don't think many of the current top coaches can adequately prepare and motivate their team to play a lower tier team in a bowl game.

I think we took care of business as much as Wisconsin and didn't get two chances at OSU. The resumes are about equal but we bring more to the table for Rose Bowl tourism and TV revenue. Since college football is all about the money anymore than why should we be used for our revenue and following to salvage a Bore-ass Cotton Bow! We would be getting a much better bowl game match-up with the old bowl system when we had 3 or 4 losses. Players do not seem motivated enough to play unknown commodities like Memphis and Kentucky. I hope we knock the snot out of Memphis and take the momentum into next season for a playoff run but based on recent history this seems less likely.

 

[trz103]

If we just gave our coach a huge extension and are worried about the team getting pumped for a bowl game we have SERIOUS problems. This is absurd.

 

[OhioLion]

I’m guessing that I’ll get a “burp” from @stormingnorm with this post.
Let’s say the team (and we know from tweets they are) is p@ssed off with their bowl placement.
Coaching staff is upset with being overlooked. They rally with the idea they will prepare and practice as well as they possibly can. Look to d@ck-slap Memphis. Have a great game and set the tone for offseason workouts and 2020 season.
Ok. Fire away, I can handle it.


OL

 

[psu00]

I think a lot of the angst from fans is coming from fear. Fear of losing to a team like Memphis. Same with the Pitt series. People bashed that series to the point you could tell they were just scared of the possibility of losing. Easier to just not play the game.

I don’t think so. I think the angst started with Klatt lobbying for Wisky last night.....with his selective memory.....apparently followed by Herbstreit today. A 10-2 season and you’re relegated to Arlington, Texas on December 28 to play a non P5 team. (All while Wisky, Minny, and Michigan got much better matchups with Oregon, Auburn, and Alabama).

Memphis is having their best year ever (IIRC) and is a very talented team, but they aren’t a name team you look forward to playing in bowl season. They certainly could beat PSU, especially if Penn St shows the same lack of effort as against Kentucky last year, but I don’t think that’s why people are frustrated.

 

[GregInPitt]

A winter “vacation” in central Texas.

I’m guessing there might be a worse location for a Bowl Game...... Detroit comes to mind..... but it’s got to be in the running for one of the worst.

Good grief.

 

[MtNittany]

A winter “vacation” in central Texas.

I’m guessing there might be a worse location for a Bowl Game...... Detroit comes to mind..... but it’s got to be in the running for one of the worst.

An ice storm could send it skyrocketing to the top of the list.

 

[Cpeplion]

My guess is because a Michigan-Alabama match up has more brand appeal than Minnesota-Alabama. Certainly not fair to the Gophers.

Well, can you imagine how bad it would look when Minny beat Bama? Losing to Mich wouldn’t hurt their brand as much.

 

[WarrentonLion]

Yes. They are .

Or, just take a ****ing look out your window

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Texas


And central Texas, in late December, sucks.

You are an indiot. First of all, the game will be played in Arlington, which is halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth in North Texas. Central Texas is generally considered Waco, which is 90 minutes south of the Metroplex. The Stadium and the new Texas Live entertainment complex right across the street make for a very attractive game atmosphere/experience. Not to mention plenty to do in both Dallas and Fort Worth.

 

[psu00]

I’m guessing that I’ll get a “burp” from @stormingnorm with this post.
Let’s say the team (and we know from tweets they are) is p@ssed off with their bowl placement.
Coaching staff is upset with being overlooked. They rally with the idea they will prepare and practice as well as they possibly can. Look to d@ck-slap Memphis. Have a great game and set the tone for offseason workouts and 2020 season.
Ok. Fire away, I can handle it.


OL

I hope you’re right, but if last year is any indication (as well as an 11am start), PSU will come out disinterested and asleep for most of the game. Memphis is good enough to make Penn St pay for not taking them seriously and could give the pass D fits all game long.

I think the next few days will give an insight to how it’ll go. They’re disappointed today but can they focus that into anger for the game to avoid a Kentucky repeat? Some tweets and press comments over the next few days might give an better idea how this will go.

 

[83wuzme]

I am hoping this pisses off the staff and team to the point they become very motivated.
It would be some measure of justice to win the conference next season and have the chance to say “ thanks for nothing ! “ to the conference.

 

[OhioLion]

I hope you’re right, but if last year is any indication (as well as an 11am start), PSU will come out disinterested and asleep for most of the game. Memphis is good enough to make Penn St pay for not taking them seriously and could give the pass D fits all game long.

I think the next few days will give an insight to how it’ll go. They’re disappointed today but can they focus that into anger for the game to avoid a Kentucky repeat? Some tweets and press comments over the next few days might give an better idea how this will go.

My hope is they use last year’s result as part of their prep for this bowl game.
Hope...

OL

 

[lein]

for a number of reasons.

1) I really don’t give a damn about the Rose Bowl at all. Most years it is not a better bowl than the Cotton, because the Big and PAC representatives, especially in the CFP era, are never clearly better than the teams in the rest of the country. Its “prestige” is a product of hype.

Sure, in the years the Cotton isn't stuck with the non-P5 team. The Wisconsin-Western Michigan game a few years ago was quite a stinker.

I wish they would eliminate all tie-ins and just have the bowls bid like some sort of auction. Highest bid gets the first 2 picks, next highest the next two picks. The bowls will want interesting games for the tv viewer ship and we won't get clunkers like Memphis and UVa taking prize spots.

 

[WarrentonLion]

Have a great time!
Where ya’ gonna’ be staying in Dallas?

https://travel.usnews.com/Dallas-Fort_Worth_TX/When_To_Visit/

December through February in Dallas:
“If you don't mind bundling up, you can save big on a wintertime DFW vacation.”



There is - obviously - a reason why Dallas is such a high demand destination for winter vacations.
Thank goodness the team doesn’t have to succumb to two weeks in SoCal and a game against a legit P5 opponent. That would suck!

I imagine I will be staying in my home which is a 20 minute drive from the stadium. By the way, it is not always cold in December. We have averaged at least 65 degrees the entire week and it was 70+ today. It is Jekyll and Hyde. Plus, the stadium is guaranteed to be a comfy 72 degrees. Our beer is cold. The women are beautiful. And people are very friendly. People are moving here in droves from California. Lower taxes, much better employment prospects, cheaper cost of living. I visited SoCal last year. Spent most of my time fighting traffic. Gas was like $5/gallon and everything was expensive. But to each his own.

 

[lein]

I am hoping this pisses off the staff and team to the point they become very motivated.
It would be some measure of justice to win the conference next season and have the chance to say “ thanks for nothing ! “ to the conference.

You know, that seems to be the think missing with Franklin teams. You just don't see them come out of the gate and kick ass for a full 60 minutes when the team is slighted.

 

[Zone-Blitz]

I hope you’re right, but if last year is any indication (as well as an 11am start), PSU will come out disinterested and asleep for most of the game. Memphis is good enough to make Penn St pay for not taking them seriously and could give the pass D fits all game long.

I think the next few days will give an insight to how it’ll go. They’re disappointed today but can they focus that into anger for the game to avoid a Kentucky repeat? Some tweets and press comments over the next few days might give an better idea how this will go.

They absolutely should be motivated for this game. All this talk about “elite”, well....go out and show it. Take care of Memphis, add another trophy to the case and springboard into next year

 

[psu00]

They absolutely should be motivated for this game. All this talk about “elite”, well....go out and show it. Take care of Memphis, add another trophy to the case and springboard into next year

I hear ya...... but then I think of the Kentucky game last year when the same was true. I really hope they learned a lesson from that and we’ll see the benefit of that this year.

 

[LMTLION]

This will be a good steppingstone game for next season. Remember, we have a good shot at a playoff run next year. A victory against a good Memphis team building momentum for opening the season against a good ooc slate including Virginia Tech will do wonders for a program that over performed for record in 2019 but had obvious weaknesses as well.

 

[Zone-Blitz]

I hear ya...... but then I think of the Kentucky game last year when the same was true. I really hope they learned a lesson from that and we’ll see the benefit of that this year.

If Trace hits a wide-open Friermuth for a sure TD, we have a completely different view of that game

 

[83wuzme]

The Cotton Bowl hasn’t meant anything since the 1970’s. This was a big “ Up Yours “ from the conference.
Let us take this occasion to again remind ourselves that the only reason we are in the BIG is money and money alone.

 

[bvillebaron]

I think a lot of the angst from fans is coming from fear. Fear of losing to a team like Memphis. Same with the Pitt series. People bashed that series to the point you could tell they were just scared of the possibility of losing. Easier to just not play the game.

People bashed the Pitt series for a number of valid reasons none of which involved “fear of losing”. I have cited many of them here in the past troll.