If we aren't 6-0 going into Columbus, I'll be disappointed.
- Thread starter PennStateNate
- Start date
It would be disappointing but not the end of the world. Have to be realistic that the roster is still building and particularly earlier in the year there will be some issues to work out. Yes, the schedule is weak but I don't think we have the gap in talent to say we can win by showing up and going through the motions.
I still think 8-4 or 9-3 is a great year for this team ....and yeah, that would probably mean dropping a game early but if we're a better team in November than we were in September and still manage to get to 8 or 9 W's, it's progress. We're not contending for the conference or national title this year so progress is what I'm most interested.
I still think 8-4 or 9-3 is a great year for this team ....and yeah, that would probably mean dropping a game early but if we're a better team in November than we were in September and still manage to get to 8 or 9 W's, it's progress. We're not contending for the conference or national title this year so progress is what I'm most interested.
Yeah, especially if we have the same officials as last year's game, and they spot OSU 10 points again.
Va, I agree with 9-3, but be honest if we aren't 6-0 going into Columbus you wouldn't be disappointed?
We have better staffs and more talent then Indiana, Army, Buffalo, Temple, San Diego, Rutgers.
We should win all these games by double digits.
We have better staffs and more talent then Indiana, Army, Buffalo, Temple, San Diego, Rutgers.
We should win all these games by double digits.
I said it would be disappointing, but if we're trying to be realistic about where the roster is at and where it needs to be, we still have a gap to close for sure. As such, it wouldn't surprise me if we dropped a game early. On paper, we're still a better team than any of those first 6 opponents but can't discount that the opponents will play us very tough. Consider:
- We've been winning ugly vs. Temple (particularly at the Linc) for a while now (even before the sanctions). Given the number of starters they return, I'd expect that to be closer than most.
- PSU is Rutgers Super Bowl. Can't play like we did against them last year and expect to win again.
- SDSU is an unknown but most I've read have them winning their division in the MWC...so not exactly a bottom feeder, and coming a week after Rutgers at night could be an issue.
- Army under Monken is playing more like Navy, which creates a big headache in preparation.
- Indiana is making strides but probably takes a step back this year. Regardless, since the sanctions were put in place we've had to scratch and claw for every inch against them.
So yeah, while 6-0 looks within grasp heading into the Shoe, we'll still have to work hard to get there.
Huh? What are you basing this on?
The oddsmakers - you know, the guys who do this for a living - have PSU as 5 point favorites vs. Temple... and that was before the announcement that the best receiver we've had maybe ever will be returning to the team.
Many of the less knowledgeable PSU fans (basically, 95% of this board) are in for a big surprise come 9/5...
I remember when Wayne Hardin was supposed to beat us--he came close (and he was well respected as a coach), but in the end did not. That *was* 40 years ago.
Even back in the late 70's and early 80's we had far superior teams to Temple and they gave us a tough game. I expect the same from them this year.
In fact their defense maybe the best we play until we get to tOSU. I think we get an early sign of how far the offense has come with their performance against Temple's D.
Rutgers best chance to beat Us was last season. In front of 107k at night I think we will pound them, especially if their coach talks a lot.
The others won't be close games.
Again, what are you basing this on?? Certainly not reality.
If you feel so confident, Vegas is more than happy to take your money at PSU -5. Considering that, in your opinion, the game "won't be close", this is easy money for you at -5.
That said, you better get your bets in soon; because if Robby Anderson is able to suit up for the Owls on 9/5, this game will be close to a pick'em.
This is likely the best Temple team since Hardin roamed the sidelines for TU.
You cannot possibly say that Temple fans have expected to beat Penn State each time they've played for the last 40 years.
It's been claimed often enough *during* those 40 years. But we'll find out on the field.
No but I think a lot of Temple fans expected to beat PSU when Golden was your HC and especially the last 3 seasons.
We should be favored in every game but not by much in some. Let's look at the probabilities of winning each game:
@ Temple 60/40
Buffalo 90/10
Rutgers 60/40
SD State 70/30
Army 80/20
Indy 60/40
This gives us an expected outcome of only 4.2 wins even though we will be favored in all of them. You might think I'm pessimistic so let's change Temple, Rutgers, and Indy to 70/30. That only gets us to 4.5 wins. The point is 6-0 is not assured or even probable. I think we'll drop one of those games and be 5-1. I just hope it's not against Temple because that would be a lot of negative momentum.
