Looking at this year's line up...just a few questions to be honest (LONG)

[Obliviax]

Twitter is saying Johnathan Thomas has indeed moved to LB from RB. at 5' 11" 224, he is shorter than what you would prefer at OLB (in cover

I noticed the same thing with McSorely's passes.

Thing people quite often forget about Hack is that even in high school he was extremely average for a comp %, and in his best year under BOB with ARob and those stud TEs he was still under 60%.. Great downfield passer but always struggled with what should have been the easiest throws.

McSorely may not have Hack's arm or size but if he can distribute those balls from the line of scrimmage to 10 yds out we'll be in great shape in staying out of 3rd and long. That just opens up a lot more options with this skill position stable of WRs and RBs.

two different QB's with two different skill sets. Hack did indeed suffer on short passes. (drops at TE didn't help) But his skill set is throwing down field. This wasn't going to happen when the got pressure bringing 3 & 4 (and once 2). So the O wasn't primed for what Hack could do.

Trace brings a totally different skill set. And his skill set appears to be better suited for this offense. If PSU has to throw downfield, that will be a problem. However, with the college roles (clock stops on a first down), throwing for ten is as good as throwing for 30.

We also have to understand that GA wasn't defending McSorley because they prepared for Hack. Secondly, the blue white game was with no real sacks. Like Mike Tyson said, everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face.

 

[Obliviax]

Moorhead's "Read-Option Westcoast Spread Attack" is designed to breakdown "attack defenses". Impossible for most defenses to "Load the Box" when you have both WRs (e.g., the guys lined up on the LOS to make 7 on the LOS with 5 OL), and the other three eligible receivers "flanked out". There would literally be uncovered receivers (7 in the box would have 4 covering 5 and 8 in the box would have 3 covering 5 receivers) -- IOW, not possible for a defense to "load the box" against many formations that can be run from Moorhead's version of the Read-Option unless the opposing D-Coordinator is bent on suicide.

right...these offenses aren't trying to stretch the defense deep, they are trying to stretch the defense in terms of width.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

I never said he got a lot of carriers, I said he was used. When you take one 4th quarter carry for 40 yards you were still in the game. He was that good. Regardless, my question was would Barkley be in the game in the late 3rd or 4th if we're up 20 points, and the mood seems to be no.

If the lead is only 20, Barkley will be playing, no doubt about that. 20 is not a big enough lead to be taking the starters out.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

If the lead is only 20, Barkley will be playing, no doubt about that. 20 is not a big enough lead to be taking the starters out.

Again PSU has options at RB and if they can still move the chains he will not have to carry the load for the entire game this year. PSU has good depth and RB's that can play behind him.

 

[jason21psu]

Numbers don't lie:
In 2016 PSU finished 125th out of 127 teams in offensive 3rd down conversion percentage.
That's how not to win football games: offense can't convert and the defense has to defend a short field most of the time.

Has there been enough improvement with the o-line that when you add a running QB to the mix this unit can move into the top 50 in terms of third down conversions on offense? If we have a better punter (I know he is a frosh) than this team will be in the thick of most games.

I sure hope you meant 2015 and you're not returning from the future with that stat

 

[BBrown]

If I remember correctly, LJ needed something like 230 yards in the MSU game to hit the 2000 mark. I am pretty sure he got that in the first half. PSU was up big, and Joe put him for just one carry at the beginning of the 2nd half, just so he could take him out again to a standing O. Curtain call.

I think you are remembering it better than I did.

 

[artsandletters]

If I remember correctly, LJ needed something like 230 yards in the MSU game to hit the 2000 mark. I am pretty sure he got that in the first half. PSU was up big, and Joe put him for just one carry at the beginning of the 2nd half, just so he could take him out again to a standing O. Curtain call.

I think LJ got 270+ in the first half. Wasn't it a 68 yarder that got him over 2000?

 

[bsmith51]

Twitter is saying Johnathan Thomas has indeed moved to LB from RB. at 5' 11" 224, he is shorter than what you would prefer at OLB (in cover


two different QB's with two different skill sets. Hack did indeed suffer on short passes. (drops at TE didn't help) But his skill set is throwing down field. This wasn't going to happen when the got pressure bringing 3 & 4 (and once 2). So the O wasn't primed for what Hack could do.

Trace brings a totally different skill set. And his skill set appears to be better suited for this offense. If PSU has to throw downfield, that will be a problem. However, with the college roles (clock stops on a first down), throwing for ten is as good as throwing for 30.

We also have to understand that GA wasn't defending McSorley because they prepared for Hack. Secondly, the blue white game was with no real sacks. Like Mike Tyson said, everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face.

True. But most of TM's big throws that day were from the pocket. And it is not like GA had not seen a QB that could move all year (it was their 13th game). I think the change might have caught them off guard for a series or two but they can adjust--especially with the freak athletes GA had across its entire defense. GA has the #1 pass defense in the country for a reason so I am sure they have the capability to defend a pure pocket passer as well as a dual threat.

 

[PhillipintheValley]

The thing that intrigues me about this team is how it will change over the course of the season. This won't be the same team in game 12 as it was in game 1. This team, more than most in recent memory, should have a lot of moving parts and room for growth due to new systems, new coaches, many positions without established starters, and more talent in the underclass ranks than upper-class. This will be a work in progress, and barring significant injuries at key positions, I expect the team to be much better later in the year than at the beginning.

DL: three of four positions in question
LB: starters not in question
DB: starters not in question, though Golden and nickel probably are in reality
QB: in question
OL: three, maybe four (if you count center) are in question - Bates is locked in, but he's still a question mark
TE: one in question (counting as one position as far as staters go)
WR: one is in question (similar to Bates, Blacknall is the starter but but he is still a question
ST: all but long snapper in question (for purposes of this discussion let's say 5 out 6 positions in question)

That puts us at 15 out of 28 positions in question.

 

[LemonEars]

But they are some pretty BIG ones. Guys will be in pads in less than a month so I figured we can start talking about 2016.

QB - Trace or Tommy. Trace will get the nod and he appears to win football games. Hopefully that translates into his college career. A pretty good 1-2 option as both can use their feet and hopefully both stay healthy to let Jake Z grow up for a year. New offense for all so there will be some bumps in the road. Question marks postion.

RB - Barkley, A Rob, Sanders, and Allen. No way around this....just a very talented deep group. Barkley is pretty damn big this year and there is some nice depth behind him this year. He will be able to take a break and PSU should still be able to produce on the ground. No questions. Top 5 talent at RB.

WR - Godwin, Hamilton, Blacknall (forgot initially) Polk, Thompkins, J Johnson, and Charles. Another deep and talented group. Polk and Thomkins provide some speed while Godwin is just a flat out stud. He may not be the fastest, but I'm not sure many are tougher than he is. Hamilton is also very steady. It will be interesting to see what the twin towers bring to the table this year. Both were highly recruited and both will see the field this year. No questions.

TE - Mike G, Bowers, Holland, Dalton - Boom or bust is the best way to describe this position. It is certainly one spot that is a question mark. Mike G is a freak of an athlete at 6-6 and can run. This year is his make or break year and I do expect much more production from him this year. Bowers also has some explosiveness, but this position is certainly one that can really accelerate the growth of this offense this year. Question marks postion.

OL - Nelson, Bates, Gaia, Mahon/DD, Beh/Palmer - Experience is there, but this OL has yet to perform consistently. Depth has been an issue here, but at least you're starting to see a 2 deep full of players on ship. We have to hope Limegrover and Moorhead really make an impact here. It's time to s**t or get off the pot and let the young kids take their lumps. HUGE QUESTION MARKS HERE.

DE - Sickels, Schwann, Brown, Buchholz, Miller, and Simmons (Joseph maybe?). Sickels needs to take that big step up this year and assert himself as a big time player. Schwann believe it or not has testing numbers that are freakish, but nothing has translated on the field. Brown, Miller, Buchholz, Simmons, and Joseph will all have the opportunity to earn PT. The depth is very young and very raw and you aren't going to see lightening strike twice with another Nassib. This unit will have to all pitch in to make an impact. HUGE QUESTION MARKS HERE.

DT - White, Cothren, Givens, Windsor, Cothran, Thrift, and possibly Chavis. No returning starters and comign out of the spring it looks like the most effect DT may be an undersized Givens. This position will have to really step up and make plays. Depth is a little better than we anticpated, but is it quality? HUGE QUESTION MARKS HERE.

LB's - NWW, Bell, Cabinda, Cooper, Bowen, Toney, Brown, Thomas (maybe Farmer again?) - Starting 3 are very solid and proven. This unit just lacks real depth and is very green beyond the starters. Cooper and Bowen will see some time, but Toney and Brown are both a full year away and not typical LB's. I know Toney stated he wants to be a DE, but he is under 200 lbs and the depth chart alone kind of dictates he starts out at LB. Question marks postion most due to depth, starters are very solid if they can stay healthy.

CB's - Reid, Haley, Campbell, Taylor, Amani O, Johnson, McPherson - Again the starters look to be very solid and even the reserves have seen some time. PSU for the last 10-15 years was not very strong at CB, but this is one of the better units they have had. No questions.

Safety - Allen, Golden, Apke, Monroe, Miller, Petrishen, and Farmer maybe. Solid set of safties, but no AA's in the bunch. Some young guys could push for PT, but it's a solid group that actually has a bit of depth. Allen needs to play under control and he will take a step forward this year IMO. No questions. Some may disagree here...get that, but it's not a bad unit overall.

K/P, need Babir and Gilliken to upgrade this position. Huge upgrade if they can perfrom. Question marks for sure.

Bottom line this season will revolve around both lines. No way around it.

The receivers are so solid that Franklin should consider using a tight end with major blocking ability. I doubt that the tight end will play a big role in the passing game anyway.

 

[KPG55]

Yeah, but for once PSU really does have some legit skill position weapons. It's been a while since PSU has had the skill position talent they have this year.

The worst combination in CF is to not rush the passer and not protect the passer. Last year our DL cancelled out that equation. To me the DL is a much bigger unknown. Optimistically we are average at best at OL. DL ?????

 

[BBrown]

The receivers are so solid that Franklin should consider using a tight end with major blocking ability. I doubt that the tight end will play a big role in the passing game anyway.

I disagree I think the TE will play a big part in the passing game, at least from everything I've read and seen of Mooreheads offense.
I'm thinking that this could be Mike G's. breakout year.

 

[81b&w]

Another thing to consider this year is our defense is going to learn a lot going up against this offense in practice. We seemed ill prepared for running QB's in the past, hopefully that will change

 

[dawgduice]

I do NOT think the o-line will be much better this year. BUT, given that we have QBs that can "run away" things should be better for the offense. A running QB can slow down a rush even if the OL is being pushed backwards.
As for our DL I think "quantity" can make the difference. The line should stay fresh throughout the game.

 

[LemonEars]

I disagree I think the TE will play a big part in the passing game, at least from everything I've read and seen of Mooreheads offense.
I'm thinking that this could be Mike G's. breakout year.

I hope you are right, BB. I was just hoping that another solid blocker would really help the running game.

 

[StinkStankStunk]

[

Agree...but this offense can spread the field. think five olinemen and the QB in the shotgun. If they put 8 in the box, they can't cover the perimeter. 7 or 8 in the box with five wide only leave the D with 4 or 3 to cover 5. One broken tackle on a slant to Hamilton or Barkley and "she gone".

You can't "spread the field" with any success if you are not a threat in the downfield passing game

From the looks of things, that could be a problem for PSU.....but, of course, we have only seen snippets thus far.

 

[StinkStankStunk]

Coupel comments.
1. I think RB has question marks, like who will man the FB position?
2. Toney isn't big enough for LB or DE this year, so he will be on the scout team, and enver see the depth chart this year.
3. Marcus Allen could be an AA this year. actually, he will be an AA this year.

I REALLY like Marcus Allen as a safety in this defense - especially playing in this "QB Lacking" conference.

But, for a big-time D1 Safety, he is painfully slow of foot.
All American? No......but I do think he is valuable to this defense.

 

[StinkStankStunk]

The receivers are so solid that Franklin should consider using a tight end with major blocking ability. I doubt that the tight end will play a big role in the passing game anyway.

You seen one of those wearing a blue jersey lately?

LOL

Wilkerson was the best we had (and he was "OK" at best)....and now he is gone.

FWIW, in last years offense I would have DEFINITELY moved one of the back up OL out there (Sorrell, the walk-on kid who took a few snaps out there - and looked good, someone like that) as the second TE

This year, I don't think the Moorehead offense is really congruent with that scheme......but so much yet to discover.

 

[Obliviax]

True. But most of TM's big throws that day were from the pocket. And it is not like GA had not seen a QB that could move all year (it was their 13th game). I think the change might have caught them off guard for a series or two but they can adjust--especially with the freak athletes GA had across its entire defense. GA has the #1 pass defense in the country for a reason so I am sure they have the capability to defend a pure pocket passer as well as a dual threat.

His throws were "from the pocket" because that was the kind of offense we ran last year.

[


You can't "spread the field" with any success if you are not a threat in the downfield passing game

From the looks of things, that could be a problem for PSU.....but, of course, we have only seen snippets thus far.

I don't agree. You line up with three guys wide right and two guys wide left. to cover that, the D will have to put at least two guys left and two guys right to cover then. Perhaps five. That leaves six or seven in the box against six offensive players (QB and five linemen). Now, the offense can run a quick in, or a quick out, or a bubble screen. One broken tackle and its to the house. Good luck covering Hamilton in the slot with a LB. and what if the D plays a nickel? You have Barkley or Sanders in a wide slot and put him in motion to where you can snap it while he's in the backfield (becoming a RB) or let him go to the other sideline where he is a slot on the other side. Good luck defending a zone/read run with Barkley and McSorely in the backfield. And, once the D commits with the personnel, the O runs hurry up and hammers them since they can't substitute unless the offense does. Then, PSU has a great lineup with big WR's, small/fast WR's, big/fast TE's, and Barkley/Sanders coming out of the backfield (run, pass or block). We've got so much flexibility on offense I have no idea how to defend us as long as we execute.

 

[21Guns]

Still think there's a lot of PTSD as it pertains to the OL from the 10 sack Temple game.

Need to step back and consider a lot of fairly sound reasoning to anticipate a better OL this year.

1 - The OL improved last year. As astounding as it is to comprehend, the OL performed fairly well as the season went along. After that opener, PSU gave up just over 2 sacks per game and averaged just under 5 ypc on the ground (and this is while starting 10 different combos due to injuries to some key personnel and with Barkley hampered in the first 1/3rd of the season with the ankle sprain and missing a lot of action.


2 - More depth and more options to plug holes this year on the OL than we've had in 5-6 years.

3 - Better system to make up for OL vulnerabilities. The spread offense with a mobile QB can overcome a lot of deficiences on a suspect (if one believes that is what we have) OL.

No, the offensive line did not, "improve" last year. 2 sacks per game is awful, and the yardage from the ground game came almost exclusively from Barkley doing it on his own.

Regardless of system, you are, what your talent says you are, on the offensive line. We WILL have better talent at 3 of the 5 spots this year, which is an upgrade. We'll see SOME improvement up front this year, but not full improvement until all 5 spots are upgraded.

 

[81b&w]

You can't "spread the field" with any success if you are not a threat in the downfield passing game

From the looks of things, that could be a problem for PSU.....but, of course, we have only seen snippets thus far.

From the looks of what? No threat in the downfield passing game? I have no clue what you're talking about

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Not sure where people think you need a cannon to throw the ball down field. Hell I read here for years MM didn't even have the arm to play at the 1a level and yet he could get the ball downfield from time to time. This idea that McSorely can't chuck the ball is another bad PSU QB myth.

 

[PhillipintheValley]

[


You can't "spread the field" with any success if you are not a threat in the downfield passing game

From the looks of things, that could be a problem for PSU.....but, of course, we have only seen snippets thus far.

There's more than one way to spread the field. This offense is designed to spread the field horizontally more than vertically. The NFL can defend the horizontal offense better because of the athletes they have, but most college defenses cannot. I think we'll have success with the short passing game. What will be interesting is to see what our completion % and YPC stats are compared to a vertical paying game. It's a tradeoff between those two stats.

 

[81b&w]

2 sacks per game is awful

I wouldn't say awful and it would have helped if CH had thrown the ball away instead of taking a lot of those sacks

 

[21Guns]

Godwin is a deep threat. Blacknall is a deep threat. Johnson is a deep threat. Charles is a deep threat. Polk is a deep threat.

That's five deep threats, as opposed to none, so that "argument" should be thrown away now.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

No, the offensive line did not, "improve" last year. 2 sacks per game is awful, and the yardage from the ground game came almost exclusively from Barkley doing it on his own.

Regardless of system, you are, what your talent says you are, on the offensive line. We WILL have better talent at 3 of the 5 spots this year, which is an upgrade. We'll see SOME improvement up front this year, but not full improvement until all 5 spots are upgraded.

Wrong. Different scheme and offense can help the OL out. Not to mention you're only idea is just to replace anyone and that alone makes them better. If they go down to 2 sacks a game, I'll be pretty damn happy. 26 is a wee bit better than 39. They did improve over the course of the year, but part of that was JF keepng JD in check and trying not to let the offense totally screw it up. This O will have their foot on the gas a bit more rather than hovering over the brake.

 

[21Guns]

I wouldn't say awful and it would have helped if CH had RAN WITH THE BALL ONCE IN AWHILE instead of taking a lot of those sacks

Fixed.

 

[81b&w]

okay, I'll agree there

 

[BBrown]

I hope you are right, BB. I was just hoping that another solid blocker would really help the running game.

There was some good info on Mooreheads offense in the Den.
Also there is another poster that went to Fordham and is familiar with his offense and both have said that the TE is
heavily used.
I think the days of the bruising FB are mostly gone (I'm still a fan) but I think we will see more Split Backs (especially if Sanders is everything we are hearing).
And that is something many of us have been begging for anyway. LOL.
If we do need another blocking body I think we'll use either Holland or Bowers or bring one of the OL in like we did last year.

 

[BBrown]

Not sure where people think you need a cannon to throw the ball down field. Hell I read here for years MM didn't even have the arm to play at the 1a level and yet he could get the ball downfield from time to time. This idea that McSorely can't chuck the ball is another bad PSU QB myth.

+1000.
I'd much rather have the QB that complete the 5-20 yard routes than one who is inconsistent at the short routes but ok on the long ball.
If either McSorley or Stevens can get the ball to our WR and RB's in stride and with room look out. That 5 -10 yard pass now becomes a 25-40 yarder.

 

[StinkStankStunk]

Godwin is a deep threat. Blacknall is a deep threat. Johnson is a deep threat. Charles is a deep threat. Polk is a deep threat.

That's five deep threats, as opposed to none, so that "argument" should be thrown away now.

Forgetting about that "minor" element in the process.....the QB

Maybe if we coulda' signed that gunslinger from Polk High.

Alas

 

[StinkStankStunk]

There's more than one way to spread the field. This offense is designed to spread the field horizontally more than vertically. The NFL can defend the horizontal offense better because of the athletes they have, but most college defenses cannot. I think we'll have success with the short passing game. What will be interesting is to see what our completion % and YPC stats are compared to a vertical paying game. It's a tradeoff between those two stats.

When both safeties can play down in the box, and corners can man up on the outside, "spreading the field horizontally" is a non-starter.

I am not saying that is going to be the case for PSU in 2016, but if there is not a threat of having a QB who can rifle the skinny post and the slant-and-go and the other "lid lifters".....you end up with the Northwestern offense with guys like Kain Colter - which isn't hard to defend.

 

[PhillipintheValley]

When both safeties can play down in the box, and corners can man up on the outside, "spreading the field horizontally" is a non-starter.

I am not saying that is going to be the case for PSU in 2016, but if there is not a threat of having a QB who can rifle the skinny post and the slant-and-go and the other "lid lifters".....you end up with the Northwestern offense with guys like Kain Colter - which isn't hard to defend.

What makes you think that TM can't hit the skinny post or the slant and go, both of which, btw, are staples in the new offense and don't have to be thrown 30 yards down field?

 

[SLion]

I think it will be a sideways year. DL and DE were a such strengths last year which kept us in games. Without Zettel and Nassib containing people, you really worry that teams will run on us, putting pressure on unknown, raw LBs. No DE pressure means plenty of time to throw at secondary. People need to step up. On offense, the talent is all there to move ball consistently. Lowering my expectations on Saquon, as he surpised teams last year but will not this year. They will key on him immediately now. Still expecting 1200 yard season. QB play can't be worse than last year so I think it really comes back to Franklin. Did he build a system or not? Does he have a solid playbook or not? We all know Hack struggled terribly last year. Hopefully Trace is comfortable with it as well as Morehead's ideas. ST is also concern as it may be talent problem. Punting killed us last year so needs major improvement. 7-5 probably. Trace may take less sacks but watch fumbles and INTs increase as he has some growing pains.

 

[Obliviax]

When both safeties can play down in the box, and corners can man up on the outside, "spreading the field horizontally" is a non-starter.

I am not saying that is going to be the case for PSU in 2016, but if there is not a threat of having a QB who can rifle the skinny post and the slant-and-go and the other "lid lifters".....you end up with the Northwestern offense with guys like Kain Colter - which isn't hard to defend.

Can't agree. a quick slant in front of the CB and behind the safety off of play action is a TD. Or, you can run the WR deep, with a quick out to the slot. Or, you can run the two WR's left deep and run a RB or TE into the vacant position.

Regardless, by keeping your S in tight, you've lost any kind of prevent. So, a missed tackle by a CB, especially when asked to go one-on-one with three guys split wide, is a big risk.

Would you like to have a mobil, accurate QB that has a strong arm and is a great field general? Of course, but there aren't that many of those guys. In fact, I can't think of one that PSU has had in recent memory.

 

[StinkStankStunk]

What makes you think that TM can't hit the skinny post or the slant and go, both of which, btw, are staples in the new offense and don't have to be thrown 30 yards down field?

I don't know if he can or he can't....none of us know that for sure.

But from what we can see of his physical skills, those throws will be MUCH more difficult for him, than for a guy with the physical skills of a Hackenberg.

That DOES NOT mean that he won't be better than Hackenberg at those throws.....but when you have a 6'-0" guy, without a strong arm (by D1 standards) he has to be VERY much better at all the other stuff - - timing, reads, accuracy, etc etc - to make up for what he does not have.
We shall see, but he will have to EXCEL in all of those areas. It is a lot to overcome
Just based on the odds when you see a QB like that....it is much more likely that you get a Kain Colter than you get a Doug Flutie

Mills had some similar attributes - and he was, for the most part, very accurate and in sync timing-wise - and it was still difficult for him to make those plays
Hackenberg had the physical attributes - not so much of the other stuff (or so it appeared - but there are a slew of other factors to consider in his particular case) - and still had a reasonable level of success with the downfield throws just due to his physical ability.

 

[StinkStankStunk]

Can't agree. a quick slant in front of the CB and behind the safety off of play action is a TD. Or, you can run the WR deep, with a quick out to the slot. Or, you can run the two WR's left deep and run a RB or TE into the vacant position.

Regardless, by keeping your S in tight, you've lost any kind of prevent. So, a missed tackle by a CB, especially when asked to go one-on-one with three guys split wide, is a big risk.

Would you like to have a mobil, accurate QB that has a strong arm and is a great field general? Of course, but there aren't that many of those guys. In fact, I can't think of one that PSU has had in recent memory.

You ever see Penn State play Northwestern?

PSU is 13-5 against those "spread" NW teams....giving up less than 20 ppg - even against some of the most crappy PSU teams ever.

The only times NW won...the PSU offense scored 6, 7, 7, and 10 points...and last year - when the PSU special teams and offense gave up most of NWs 23 points.

A "spread" offense without a downfield threat aint gonna' beat any decent defense.
That DOES NOT say PSU will not have a downfield threat - - - just that one is necessary in order to make that offense "click" into being a point machine

 

[PhillipintheValley]

I don't know if he can or he can't....none of us know that for sure.

But from what we can see of his physical skills, those throws will be MUCH more difficult for him, than for a guy with the physical skills of a Hackenberg.

That DOES NOT mean that he won't be better than Hackenberg at those throws.....but when you have a 6'-0" guy, without a strong arm (by D1 standards) he has to be VERY much better at all the other stuff - - timing, reads, accuracy, etc etc - to make up for what he does not have.
We shall see, but he will have to EXCEL in all of those areas. It is a lot to overcome
Just based on the odds when you see a QB like that....it is much more likely that you get a Kain Colter than you get a Doug Flutie

Mills had some similar attributes - and he was, for the most part, very accurate and in sync timing-wise - and it was still difficult for him to make those plays
Hackenberg had the physical attributes - not so much of the other stuff (or so it appeared - but there are a slew of other factors to consider in his particular case) - and still had a reasonable level of success with the downfield throws just due to his physical ability.

We'll see. Just one reason that this season should be very interesting.

 

[Obliviax]

You ever see Penn State play Northwestern?

PSU is 13-5 against those "spread" NW teams....giving up less than 20 ppg - even against some of the most crappy PSU teams ever.

The only times NW won...the PSU offense scored 6, 7, 7, and 10 points...and last year - when the PSU special teams and offense gave up most of NWs 23 points.

A "spread" offense without a downfield threat aint gonna' beat any decent defense.
That DOES NOT say PSU will not have a downfield threat - - - just that one is necessary in order to make that offense "click" into being a point machine

I know Joe used to hate playing against NW...but I also know that NW typically gets inferior athletes than does PSU or the typical B1G threats. I have noticed tOSU killing the B1G with a similar offense.

 

[StinkStankStunk]

I know Joe used to hate playing against NW...but I also know that NW typically gets inferior athletes than does PSU or the typical B1G threats. I have noticed tOSU killing the B1G with a similar offense.

?????

You ever see OSU play?

They throw the ball deep about as often as any offense in the country.....even without your typical "strong-arm" QB

Their pass game couldn't be any more different from the historical offenses of the NW spread.