Jones and Flounders both pick Auburn

[jimarnp]

How are the LBs and front 4 so far 'good' to 'excellent' in your assessment? Seems a little overly positive. Our FG kicking is still shaky, which is no surprise. We will see vs Auburn truly the better areas on this team, which have taken steps, and which still need a ton of work. I do agree with most of the analysts consensus throughout this week that we have a better roster top to bottom, but Auburn's power football style and controlling the LOS is a great equalizer and is opposite to our style. This is why it should be a fun matchup as these two different world's collide.

In my view, the LB‘s and DL have shown themselves to be good , until proven otherwise. The individuals in those positions are largely extremely athletic, and appear “football smart” . There are clearly players who are young, and will make mistakes, but their learning curve should be short. The QB’s and RB’s appear very good and should get better quickly. The secondary has been intermittently excellent.
—-Injuries can throw a quick monkey wrench into things, but as they stand now, they have shown me that they deserve that assessment. They will only get better, IMO

 

[bcspsu]

Our fanbase needs to come to the realizationt that those two guys find satisfaction in needling us. They salivate all offseason thinking of different ways to get under our skin.

I can understand that they believe that Auburn will win because it isn't exactly an outlandish prediction. Also, I neither expect nor want the media who cover this program to be cheerleaders like what happens with certain other programs. However, I've always thought that a lot of the media who cover PSU, and especially the ones from the Central part of the state, are very negative in their attitudes toward this program, which is the exact opposite of the Ohio media who cover OSU.

 

[marshall23]

Exactly.

Having been a fan of PSU Football, I have rarely felt better than I did leaving Jerry's World after the Cotton Bowl. Since then Micah declared, Journey suffered a rare condition and Noah Cain got hurt on the seasons first series.......and Indiana did not score.
That being said, this team can right the ship and if you can't appreciate the young talent displayed last Saturday.....well you just like being sour.

 

[marshall23]

those two people are simply white noise

Perhaps Joe dismissed them as the "shave tails" they are.....and they never recovered.

 

[marshall23]

I can understand that they believe that Auburn will win because it isn't exactly an outlandish prediction. Also, I neither expect nor want the media who cover this program to be cheerleaders like what happens with certain other programs. However, I've always thought that a lot of the media who cover PSU, and especially the ones from the Central part of the state, are very negative in their attitudes toward this program, which is the exact opposite of the Ohio media who cover OSU.

I never pay any attention to them. Nor to Cory Geiger. They know less than nothing....and that's about what they get paid. While we have dozens of couch coaches here who think they know more than division one coaches......I will acknowledge that they likely know more than these 3 slackers.
They don't even groom themselves respectfully.

 

[Texas Lion]

Having been a fan of PSU Football, I have rarely felt better than I did leaving Jerry's World after the Cotton Bowl. Since then Micah declared, Journey suffered a rare condition and Noah Cain got hurt on the seasons first series.......and Indiana did not score.
That being said, this team can right the ship and if you can't appreciate the young talent displayed last Saturday.....well you just like being sour.

I as well!! I remember driving two hours home from the Cotton Bowl on Cloud 9. Three months later COVID hits and really this team hasn't been the same. The Indiana Game was a total joke and let to a joke of a year, including not going to a bowl game. Then last year, we had it rolling including 2 games we might have lost in 2020, only to watch Cliff get hurt and the curse of Roberson began.

I am hoping a big win tomorrow could lead to a 1 or 2 (at most) loss season and get a return trip to the Cotton Bowl to erase the curse.

I still blame my wife a little for the curse. She had a little bit to drink and when the team was walking off the field she was yelling at Micah.....except it was Daniel George!!

 

[Jerry]

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I gotta say I disagree with them. Thoughts?

This is no walk in the park. The anticipation has been building down there, so the stadium will be rocking, and Auburn's players will be high as kites.

Also, Auburn has a couple excellent running backs, a solid OL, and a decent defense.

But my pick is Penn State to win. Not gonna predict a score. I'll be happy as a clam no matter the margin.

Auburn's coach is under pressure and appears to be on the hot seat. Their QB situation is unsettled, and their passing game sucks. I hope we load up against the run, play man in the secondary, and force Auburn to beat us through the air. I don't think they can.

On the other side of the ball, I think this is going to come down to Sean Clifford. He doesn't have to pass for 400 yards, but we need a solid game with no turnovers and enough production from the running game to keep Auburn honest.

It's a great intersectional match-up. Can't wait.

 

[ryoder1]

Also, nobody asked (to my knowledge) about a status update on Izzard and Vilbert. I believe both are probably out long term, anyways. But, I agree with you, Carter and Jacobs are your two most athletic LB's, they have to be on the field at the same time as much as possible. I just don't see much from Elsdon, and Sutherland makes me nervous. He never really excelled as a DB, and transitioning him to LB I think is a way of keeping veteran leadership on the field. At the end of the day, the LB really need help from the front 4. We need to see sacks, TFL's out of the Dline to put Auburn off schedule and allow the LB's and the defense to play down hill. Last year, we were fortunate to have Ebeketie who could win a 1:1 matchup all the time; even Luketa was a very physical presence as well. This is game 3...at this point, someone(s) has to flash up front and get to the qb and bring him down. We've seen it from Chop, but he can't be the only one. We have an abundance of young guys up front...having one or a couple breakthrough is critical. JF always talks about needing game wreckers up front (like OSU has had with the Bosa's, Young), that is still something we haven't had to that level, or anywhere close. Hopefully in success by numbers with all the young guys we have, that will be our formula.

The LOS play will be critical. On offense we have to try to get Singleton going. At least somewhat to open up the passing game. If we can do that then our offense could roll. If we cannot then well we have seen that before. All on Clifford then, he may force things and the offense gets stagnant. The other key thing I'm looking for is utilizing the tight ends. I hope Johnson plays. All three can give Auburn fits. The tight ends also need to block!

On D, we have to stop their run game as everyone knows. Easier said than done. I am hoping Mustipher shows up. I knew he would be rusty coming back from the injury but he needs to make an impact. Basically our key guys like Isaac, Robinson and Mustipher have to come to play on our D-Line. Diaz will sell out on the run trusting the secondary to be one on one most of the time and bringing the LBs up and that is the right move. We absolutely cannot let them get chunks of yards on the ground. They will have success running but we need to limit that success and make crucial stops.

I think we need to get Carter and Jacobs on the field together. It has to work and get your best talent on the field. They both are playmakers and are our best bet to make a game changing disruptive play. I don't hink their QB is all that good so if we can pressure and/or confuse him or put them in 3rd and long or 2nd and long that will be big for us. That is why I think we will be okay with one on one coverage, furthermore I don't think they have any special WRs.

Also, gotta tackle well, Bigsby is a load and he will run over/through you.

Obviously no big mistakes like costly turnovers and it would be huge if we could get a pick or 2. Not that confident in our kicker if we need a game winning FG so let's win it before it comes to that.

If and this is a big if we can get up early on them say 10-0 or 14-0 and start forcing them out of their power ground attack then that will be a big advantage for us. Don't see them passing their way to a comeback.

 

[Obliviax]

The LOS play will be critical. On offense we have to try to get Singleton going. At least somewhat to open up the passing game. If we can do that then our offense could roll. If we cannot then well we have seen that before. All on Clifford then, he may force things and the offense gets stagnant. The other key thing I'm looking for is utilizing the tight ends. I hope Johnson plays. All three can give Auburn fits. The tight ends also need to block!

On D, we have to stop their run game as everyone knows. Easier said than done. I am hoping Mustipher shows up. I knew he would be rusty coming back from the injury but he needs to make an impact. Basically our key guys like Isaac, Robinson and Mustipher have to come to play on our D-Line. Diaz will sell out on the run trusting the secondary to be one on one most of the time and bringing the LBs up and that is the right move. We absolutely cannot let them get chunks of yards on the ground. They will have success running but we need to limit that success and make crucial stops.

I think we need to get Carter and Jacobs on the field together. It has to work and get your best talent on the field. They both are playmakers and are our best bet to make a game changing disruptive play. I don't hink their QB is all that good so if we can pressure and/or confuse him or put them in 3rd and long or 2nd and long that will be big for us. That is why I think we will be okay with one on one coverage, furthermore I don't think they have any special WRs.

Also, gotta tackle well, Bigsby is a load and he will run over/through you.

Obviously no big mistakes like costly turnovers and it would be huge if we could get a pick or 2. Not that confident in our kicker if the we need a game winning FG so let's win it before it comes to that.

If and this is a big if we can get up early on them say 10-0 or 14-0 and start forcing them out of their power ground attack then that will be a big advantage for us. Don't see them passing their way to a comeback.

How much do you want to bet that Auburn comes out in a two-tight end set and tries to go all Illinois on us?

 

[scrivener]

The LOS play will be critical. On offense we have to try to get Singleton going. At least somewhat to open up the passing game. If we can do that then our offense could roll. If we cannot then well we have seen that before. All on Clifford then, he may force things and the offense gets stagnant. The other key thing I'm looking for is utilizing the tight ends. I hope Johnson plays. All three can give Auburn fits. The tight ends also need to block!

On D, we have to stop their run game as everyone knows. Easier said than done. I am hoping Mustipher shows up. I knew he would be rusty coming back from the injury but he needs to make an impact. Basically our key guys like Isaac, Robinson and Mustipher have to come to play on our D-Line. Diaz will sell out on the run trusting the secondary to be one on one most of the time and bringing the LBs up and that is the right move. We absolutely cannot let them get chunks of yards on the ground. They will have success running but we need to limit that success and make crucial stops.

I think we need to get Carter and Jacobs on the field together. It has to work and get your best talent on the field. They both are playmakers and are our best bet to make a game changing disruptive play. I don't hink their QB is all that good so if we can pressure and/or confuse him or put them in 3rd and long or 2nd and long that will be big for us. That is why I think we will be okay with one on one coverage, furthermore I don't think they have any special WRs.

Also, gotta tackle well, Bigsby is a load and he will run over/through you.

Obviously no big mistakes like costly turnovers and it would be huge if we could get a pick or 2. Not that confident in our kicker if the we need a game winning FG so let's win it before it comes to that.

If and this is a big if we can get up early on them say 10-0 or 14-0 and start forcing them out of their power ground attack then that will be a big advantage for us. Don't see them passing their way to a comeback.

Every single point is spot on....great post! I'm supremely worried about the OL, except for Olu, who has graded out very well. Wormley has done a solid job at times, too. Caedan Wallace still doesn't look good, and Hall from Auburn is a great pass rusher and super athlete. Some of our guards haven't pass protected well either based on those PFF grades. If Cliff is scrambling for his life and can't step into throws, it could get ugly. Agreed..our kicking game is annual mess and don't want it to come down to that. I'm also disappointed that PJ and the front haven't yet to really make a dent or major impact...obviously that has to change big time tomorrow. If this becomes a LOS game, it will be a long Saturday. If we can minimize the damage up front on both sides of the LOS, and it becomes an athletes in space game, that plays well for what JF et al likes to do.

 

[PSU20]

This is no walk in the park. The anticipation has been building down there, so the stadium will be rocking, and Auburn's players will be high as kites.

Also, Auburn has a couple excellent running backs, a solid OL, and a decent defense.

But my pick is Penn State to win. Not gonna predict a score. I'll be happy as a clam no matter the margin.

Auburn's coach is under pressure and appears to be on the hot seat. Their QB situation is unsettled, and their passing game sucks. I hope we load up against the run, play man in the secondary, and force Auburn to beat us through the air. I don't think they can.

On the other side of the ball, I think this is going to come down to Sean Clifford. He doesn't have to pass for 400 yards, but we need a solid game with no turnovers and enough production from the running game to keep Auburn honest.

It's a great intersectional match-up. Can't wait.

Last year's Auburn game may have been Clifford's best overall. He was something like 28/32 with a couple TD's. He really used the TE's which I hope he does again tomorrow.

 

[bcspsu]

Last year's Auburn game may have been Clifford's best overall. He was something like 28/32 with a couple TD's. He really used the TE's which I hope he does again tomorrow.

I’ve been watching PSU since 1975, and that was one of the best games that I’ve ever seen a PSU qb play.

 

[ryoder1]

Every single point is spot on....great post! I'm supremely worried about the OL, except for Olu, who has graded out very well. Wormley has done a solid job at times, too. Caedan Wallace still doesn't look good, and Hall from Auburn is a great pass rusher and super athlete. Some of our guards haven't pass protected well either based on those PFF grades. If Cliff is scrambling for his life and can't step into throws, it could get ugly. Agreed..our kicking game is annual mess and don't want it to come down to that. I'm also disappointed that PJ and the front haven't yet to really make a dent or major impact...obviously that has to change big time tomorrow. If this becomes a LOS game, it will be a long Saturday. If we can minimize the damage up front on both sides of the LOS, and it becomes an athletes in space game, that plays well for what JF et al likes to do.

If we regress back to last year then we are in trouble. I don't think we have to be flawless though either. In other words we don't need the O- line to play their best game ever by a wide margin in order to win. We need to show steady improvement and be serviceable. Eliminate the big mistakes such as giving up a lot of sacks and not being able to get any push. We have playmakers on offense so we need the O-Line to do enough to let those guys shine. Decent
protection for Clifford and a little room for the backs. Even if we cannot run I still think we have a shot with decent pass protection. We have superior athletes in the skill positions so we can do damage to them. Sure with no run game it makes it more difficult but still plausible to win.

 

[marshall23]

If we regress back to last year then we are in trouble. I don't think we have to be flawless though either. In other words we don't need the O- line to play their best game ever by a wide margin in order to win. We need to show steady improvement and be serviceable. Eliminate the big mistakes such as giving up a lot of sacks and not being able to get any push. We have playmakers on offense so we need the O-Line to do enough to let those guys shine. Decent
protection for Clifford and a little room for the backs. Even if we cannot run I still think we have a shot with decent pass protection. We have superior athletes in the skill positions so we can do damage to them. Sure with no run game it makes it more difficult but still plausible to win.

I'm sure the coaches have been reminding Singleton that bouncing plays outside will not meet with the same success that he saw last week. Quality teams will string those plays out. Taking plays outside designed to go off tackle and catching the defense bunched inside is akin to a player hitting a home run and then swinging for the fences each and every time up.
If a RB can get 3-5 yards as designed consistently, he can catch the player with assigned outside leverage cheating.....then its a foot race.

 

[jbenedict]

Also, nobody asked (to my knowledge) about a status update on Izzard and Vilbert. I believe both are probably out long term, anyways. But, I agree with you, Carter and Jacobs are your two most athletic LB's, they have to be on the field at the same time as much as possible. I just don't see much from Elsdon, and Sutherland makes me nervous. He never really excelled as a DB, and transitioning him to LB I think is a way of keeping veteran leadership on the field. At the end of the day, the LB really need help from the front 4. We need to see sacks, TFL's out of the Dline to put Auburn off schedule and allow the LB's and the defense to play down hill. Last year, we were fortunate to have Ebeketie who could win a 1:1 matchup all the time; even Luketa was a very physical presence as well. This is game 3...at this point, someone(s) has to flash up front and get to the qb and bring him down. We've seen it from Chop, but he can't be the only one. We have an abundance of young guys up front...having one or a couple breakthrough is critical. JF always talks about needing game wreckers up front (like OSU has had with the Bosa's, Young), that is still something we haven't had to that level, or anywhere close. Hopefully in success by numbers with all the young guys we have, that will be our formula.

Sutherland been around longer than Clifford and will never play in the NFL. Probably a great young man with great hair but is a detriment. Always chasing. Time for him to go.

 

[CbusLion10]

Two solid teams, good environment, tough to call but should be a fun game.

But these two jokers should have different jobs, I'm actually surprised they're in their positions. Jones is a decent writer but both of these guys have zero charisma in front of a camera and zero interesting perspective on Penn State football. I soak up whatever Penn State content I can get so have seen plenty of these guys and have literally never learned anything from their videos. And comb your hair 🤣

 

[Texas Lion]

Is there something wrong with Flounders lip or does he always have a dip in?

 

[LionDeNittany]

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I gotta say I disagree with them. Thoughts?

Can neither of these guys afford a web cam and a proper stand for it?

Using the webcam on a laptop is pathetic.

 

[Parkerdam555]

Sutherland been around longer than Clifford and will never play in the NFL. Probably a great young man with great hair but is a detriment. Always chasing. Time for him to go.

Watch him recover 2 fumbles now..lol

 

[Texas Lion]

Sutherland been around longer than Clifford and will never play in the NFL. Probably a great young man with great hair but is a detriment. Always chasing. Time for him to go.

He is 100% a college athlete. Probably Cliff as well. But hell yeah for them. Could you imagine being able to play PSU Football for 6 years, get 2 or 3 degrees, bang A ton……I’ll stop there.

what a great life those two have had. If there is a God PSU will win the natty this year.

 

[PSUALREADYKNOW]

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I gotta say I disagree with them. Thought

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I gotta say I disagree with them. Thoughts?

Dave Jones is a huge piece of sh.it. MASSIVE. Wish he didn't exist.

 

[PSUALREADYKNOW]

I have never understood why Flounders always looks like he just woke up 5 minutes ago after a bender. Maybe he is who he is and I have learned to accept it. But I genenerally like these 2 as they do not act like homers and I think they are more objective than most of the Penn State media. But, yes, as a fan, it can come across as negative. And they do not typically have any inside information.

Nice guy, but yeah-shmuck city.

 

[jbenedict]

Watch him recover 2 fumbles now..lol

I hope so.

 

[Obliviax]

Back in the day poster, _Tom predicted an Auburn win as well (for 247)

 

[jbenedict]

He is 100% a college athlete. Probably Cliff as well. But hell yeah for them. Could you imagine being able to play PSU Football for 6 years, get 2 or 3 degrees, bang A ton……I’ll stop there.

what a great life those two have had. If there is a God PSU will win the natty this year.

Good point.

 

[bdgan]

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I gotta say I disagree with them. Thoughts?

I pick PSU but I'm concerned about our OL/run game and our LBs. I can't blame others for having similar concerns.

 

[Parkerdam555]

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I gotta say I disagree with them. Thoughts?

Well well well....

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

They'll probably spend most of their time poo-pawing how good Auburn is.... tell us how bad Auburn is.... blah, blah, blah

 

[PSUEngineer89]

I as well!! I remember driving two hours home from the Cotton Bowl on Cloud 9. Three months later COVID hits and really this team hasn't been the same. The Indiana Game was a total joke and let to a joke of a year, including not going to a bowl game. Then last year, we had it rolling including 2 games we might have lost in 2020, only to watch Cliff get hurt and the curse of Roberson began.

I am hoping a big win tomorrow could lead to a 1 or 2 (at most) loss season and get a return trip to the Cotton Bowl to erase the curse.

I still blame my wife a little for the curse. She had a little bit to drink and when the team was walking off the field she was yelling at Micah.....except it was Daniel George!!

Franklin gets 100% of blame for Covid reaction.

A typical football coach says, “Rub some dirt on it”

 

[Parkerdam555]

They'll probably spend most of their time poo-pawing how good Auburn is.... tell us how bad Auburn is.... blah, blah, blah

Yep.

 

[PSU2UNC]

This is no walk in the park. The anticipation has been building down there, so the stadium will be rocking, and Auburn's players will be high as kites.

Also, Auburn has a couple excellent running backs, a solid OL, and a decent defense.

But my pick is Penn State to win. Not gonna predict a score. I'll be happy as a clam no matter the margin.

Auburn's coach is under pressure and appears to be on the hot seat. Their QB situation is unsettled, and their passing game sucks. I hope we load up against the run, play man in the secondary, and force Auburn to beat us through the air. I don't think they can.

On the other side of the ball, I think this is going to come down to Sean Clifford. He doesn't have to pass for 400 yards, but we need a solid game with no turnovers and enough production from the running game to keep Auburn honest.

It's a great intersectional match-up. Can't wait.

Counterpoint. This was a walk in the park.

 

[Cletus11]

 

[NC2017]

About Jones and Flounders, I forgot to add:​

• contaminated
• crummy
• disheveled
• dusty
• filthy
• greasy
• grimy
• messy
• muddy
• murky
• nasty
• polluted
• sloppy
• stained
• unkempt
• bedraggled
• begrimed
• defiled
• disarrayed
• foul
• fouled
• smudged
• spattered
• spotted
• sullied
• cruddy
• dreggy
• dungy
• grubby
• grungy
• icky
• lousy
• mucky
• scummy
• scuzzy
• slatternly
• slimy
• slovenly
• sooty
• squalid
• straggly
• undusted
• unhygienic

 

[Jerry]

Counterpoint. This was a walk in the park.

It was...but almost nobody thought it would be.

I also noted in the same post that Auburn's QB situation was unsettled, their passing game sucked, and if we shut down their running attack, they couldn't beat us through the air...therefore, "my pick is Penn State to win"...all of which was right on the money.

 

[NC2017]

Nice guy, but yeah-shmuck city.

If Flounders truly is a nice guy, someone should tell him to get as far away from Dave Jones as he can.

 

[BullrunLion]

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I gotta say I disagree with them. Thoughts?

Wish Jones would leave and go back and cover his Ohio State team. Nothing like having the enemy posing as a journalist covering your team!

 

[heckmans]

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I gotta say I disagree with them. Thoughts?

If nobody watches or comments on Dave Jones, does he exist?

 

[Gitzit]

Will be interesting to watch the eating crow video.

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

Will be interesting to watch the eating crow video.

They won't do the manly thing and eat crow - these two little weasels will spend all their bloviating talking down Auburn and telling us how bad Auburn is.... PSU is still a huge question mark.... etc., etc., etc....

 

[marshall23]

They won't do the manly thing and eat crow - these two little weasels will spend all their bloviating talking down Auburn and telling us how bad Auburn is.... PSU is still a huge question mark.... etc., etc., etc....

Mea culpa!