Last 5 times to NW.....

[LaJolla Lion]

23-21 Loss
34-24 Win
34-13 Win
34-29 Win
17-7 Loss

Yeah...the 31-7 Win while being ranked #4 and getting their best shot wasn't all that bad. I think Jo Mo can still stay on as the OC.

 

[demlion]

23-21 Loss
34-24 Win
34-13 Win
34-29 Win
17-7 Loss

Yeah...the 31-7 Win while being ranked #4 and getting their best shot wasn't all that bad. I think Jo Mo can still stay on as the OC.

But you mean when Matt Millen said the OL stinks he was wrong?

 

[bxle]

Receivers wide open all over the field. Took what was there. I enjoyed watching.

 

[Bob78]

The game reminded me of a few other B1G road games from back in the 90s, when we went up against an over-matched opponent (e.g. Iowa, Illinois) and came away with the same kind of win, roughly 31-7, never really challenged, the D was stifling, the O was more or less one-dimensional (except then with the OL opening up the run game), ho-hum routine win for us fans, etc.

Let's hope the era of being able to fairly easily win certain ho-hum road mismatches is back for good.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

But you mean when Matt Millen said the OL stinks he was wrong?

The OL play hasn't been lights out, but it's a team sport and this team is pretty damn good overall. It is as if some people think other teams should fold up shop or PSU cannot lose a game this year or they suck. Bama didn't destroy A&M at night on the road. Clemson lost to Pitt and should have lost to NC State last year, but they won a MNC instead. Was Dabo stupid for those games and somehow just got smart for the final 2?

 

[Bob78]

The OL play hasn't been lights out, but it's a team sport and this team is pretty damn good overall. It is as if some people think other teams should fold up shop or PSU cannot lose a game this year or they suck. Bama didn't destroy A&M at night on the road. Clemson lost to Pitt and should have lost to NC State last year, but they won a MNC instead. Was Dabo stupid for those games and somehow just got smart for the final 2?

It's been more and more true almost every season since about 1980 or whenever they opened up the rules to favor the offense and encouraged more passing (e.g. extending the arms allowed for blocking).... it is damn hard to go unbeaten in any given season. And when the number of scholarships was restricted year-by-year and in total, parity reinforced that.
Now, imo, it is an amazing feat whenever a P5 team can do it. A one-loss National Champ will be more common than not.
And, again imo, is the most compelling reason to open the playoffs (aka invitational!) to at least 6 teams, and more preferably 8.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

It's been more and more true almost every season since about 1980 or whenever they opened up the rules to favor the offense and encouraged more passing (e.g. extending the arms allowed for blocking).... it is damn hard to go unbeaten in any given season. And when the number of scholarships was restricted year-by-year and in total, parity reinforced that.
Now, imo, it is an amazing feat whenever a P5 team can do it. A one-loss National Champ will be more common than not.
And, again imo, is the most compelling reason to open the playoffs (aka invitational!) to at least 6 teams, and more preferably 8.

Exactly. It's hard to win on the road. Look at what we have after the bye. Home against UM, then @OSU, and @MSU. If PSU gets out of that 2-1 they still may be in the playoff picture at the end of the year. If they win all 3...they will certainly be unless they have a MAJOR slip up after that.

 

[BoulderFish]

The OL play hasn't been lights out, but it's a team sport and this team is pretty damn good overall. It is as if some people think other teams should fold up shop or PSU cannot lose a game this year or they suck. Bama didn't destroy A&M at night on the road. Clemson lost to Pitt and should have lost to NC State last year, but they won a MNC instead. Was Dabo stupid for those games and somehow just got smart for the final 2?

Yep. The OL has plenty of room for improvement -- so let's be clear that we all agree on that -- but as long as we have Barkley, and we run this style of offense, people are going to have to get used to the offensive line looking bad -- especially against lesser teams that really have to overplay to stop our running game.

This is a different style of offense that gives and takes relative to the offense that that we're used to, and asks for something very different than what we're used to from the offensive lineman.

The sooner people understand and accept that, the sooner they'll be able to enjoy all this success -- and opportunity for enjoyment -- that said offense is providing us.

 

[michnittlion]

The game was honestly like being at a July summer picnic.

Nice weather, easy-going, lots of room to spread out, and nothing to really worry about.

Any time that a road game goes like THAT --- that's a good thing.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Yep. The OL has plenty of room for improvement -- so let's be clear that we all agree on that -- but as long as we have Barkley, and we run this style of offense, people are going to have to get used to the offensive line looking bad -- especially against lesser teams that really have to overplay to stop our running game.

This is a different style of offense that gives and takes relative to the offense that that we're used to, and asks for something very different than what we're used to from the offensive lineman.

The sooner people understand and accept that, the sooner they'll be able to enjoy all this success -- and opportunity for enjoyment -- that said offense is providing us.

OSU couldn't do squat last year against a good defense. UM's offense is awful this year. MSU isn't much better. Bama didn't put up 40 at night against A&M. I think Clemson only managed 28 versus Wake this week too. People need to peek outside the PSU box once in a while and get a GD clue to what is going on in college football. This myth that every other offense and defense is dominant is a joke.

 

[SR108]

Receivers wide open all over the field. Took what was there. I enjoyed watching.

Yep, best game yet for Trace IMO. Key to Michigan, can our wide receivers beat man coverage. There won't be a 12 yard cushion vs Michigan. However, Michigan will be fortunate to score 20 on our defense.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Yep, best game yet for Trace IMO. Key to Michigan, can our wide receivers beat man coverage. There won't be a 12 yard cushion vs Michigan.

Can UM's CB's deal with PSU's size and speed at WR all day in man coverage. Not to mention their heads will be turned the wrong way so when and if Trace does release to run the ball due to pressure...he may have some big gains.

 

[SR108]

Can UM's CB's deal with PSU's size and speed at WR all day in man coverage. Not to mention their heads will be turned the wrong way so when and if Trace does release to run the ball due to pressure...he may have some big gains.

I think we beat them, our D is good enough to keep the game close and we are more explosive. They are very good defensively but can they do it every play against Barkley, Trace and our receivers?

 

[psuno1]

Receivers wide open all over the field. Took what was there. I enjoyed watching.

JoMo needs to spread the field with three wide and the TE if they are going to stack the box. Nobody in the BIG10 can check PSU wideouts and TE. Just ask Wisky about that.

 

[mn78psu83]

23-21 Loss
34-24 Win
34-13 Win
34-29 Win
17-7 Loss

Yeah...the 31-7 Win while being ranked #4 and getting their best shot wasn't all that bad. I think Jo Mo can still stay on as the OC.

You Pollyanna types sicken me. You, you, you ...

 

[BisbeeMike]

23-21 Loss
34-24 Win
34-13 Win
34-29 Win
17-7 Loss

Yeah...the 31-7 Win while being ranked #4 and getting their best shot wasn't all that bad. I think Jo Mo can still stay on as the OC.

"Franklin can't beat Fitz". That's all we heard all week long. Then, after the game, everyone just forgot that they even said it.

Comical.