POLL: What was the best team Penn State faced in a bowl game?

[john4psu]

What was the best team Penn State faced in a bowl game?

The choices (and feel free to write-in any you see fit to)

1. 1968 Kansas - Orange Bowl; #6 ranked with a 9-1 record. Finished the season 9-2 and ranked #7. Penn State 15 Kansas 14
2. 1969 Missouri - Orange Bowl; #6 ranked with a 9-1 record. Finished the season 9-2 and ranked #6. Penn State 10 Missouri 3
3. 1972 Oklahoma - Sugar Bowl; #2 ranked with a 10-1 record. Finished the season 11-1 and
ranked #2. Oklahoma 14 Penn State 0
4. 1975 Alabama - Sugar Bowl; #4 ranked with a 10-1 record. Finished the season 11-1 and ranked #3. Alabama 13 Penn State 6
5. 1978 Alabama - Sugar Bowl; #2 ranked with a 10-1 record. Finished the season as national champions with a 11-1 record. Alabama 14 Penn State 7
6. 1982 Georgia - Sugar Bowl; #1 ranked with an 11-0 record. Finished the season 11-1 and ranked #4. Penn State 27 Georgia 23
7. 1985 Oklahoma - Orange Bowl; #3 ranked with a 10-1 record. Finished the season as national champions with a 11-1 record. Oklahoma 25 Penn State 10
8. 1986 Miami - Fiesta Bowl; #1 ranked with an 11-0 record. Finished the season with an 11-1 record and ranked #2. Penn State 14 Miami 10
9. 2008 USC - Rose Bowl; #4 ranked with an 11-1 record. Finished the season with a 12-1 record and ranked #3. USC 38 Penn State 24
10. 2016 USC - Rose Bowl; #9 ranked with a 9-3 record. Finished the season with a 10-3 record and ranked #3. USC 52 Penn State 49

 

[LionJim]

1986 Miami, easily.

 

[Mister Magoo]

1986 Miami, easily.

We've got no chance against them!

 

[PrtLng Lion]

We've got no chance against them!

Did the Japanese have dinner with the Pearl Harbor before bombing them?

Who was it that then said something like Hey Jerome how did the Japanese end up? Was that Trey Bauer?

 

[Nitt1300]

We've got no chance against them!

They are loaded with first round picks, we're overmatched

 

[Chris92]

Did the Japanese have dinner with the Pearl Harbor before bombing them?

Who was it that then said something like Hey Jerome how did the Japanese end up? Was that Trey Bauer?

Not Bauer, but our late punter, John Bruno.
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archives/article_86401bb9-57ab-5328-87ea-186ef405e9e6.html

 

[JosephNit]

1986 Miami, easily.

Totally agree.

Well, maybe not "easily," but that Miami team was considered dominant -- some "experts" called it the best college football team of the decade -- and we were given no chance to win.

To this day, that remains, in my mind, the best football moment of all time and the high point of Joe's years.

 

[joeparules]

Totally agree.

Well, maybe not "easily," but that Miami team was considered dominant -- some "experts" called it the best college football team of the decade -- and we were given no chance to win.

To this day, that remains, in my mind, the best football moment of all time and the high point of Joe's years.

I believe it is still the highest viewed CFB game of all time. I was fortunate to be in Tempe for that game!

 

[mrtailgate]

Totally agree.

Well, maybe not "easily," but that Miami team was considered dominant -- some "experts" called it the best college football team of the decade -- and we were given no chance to win.

To this day, that remains, in my mind, the best football moment of all time and the high point of Joe's years.

Ask Art Kehoe, Miami guy with PA lineage. To this day, still can't accept that U team lost.

 

[BTMurphy]

Not even close... Miami. I didn't even look at the other options- just looked for the Miami choice.

 

[wex18]

Three months after the game, I got off a small plane near Mount Cook in New Zealand. About 10 people were waiting at the fence to board. The first guy in line was smiling and wearing a Canes cap. I was wearing a PSU shirt.

As I approached him, he saw my shirt and his expression changed. I yelled out "intercepted Giftopolous!" and kept walking. A very satisfying moment.

 

[BTMurphy]

In fact, I'll go a step further and say that Miami team may be the best team ever that P.S. played.... I'll leave it to others here with greater depth of knowledge than I to challenge

 

[wex18]

In fact, I'll go a step further and say that Miami team may be the best team ever that P.S. played.... I'll leave it to others here with greater depth of knowledge than I to challenge

The 1966 unbeaten Michigan State team (that was tied by Notre Dame in the season finale) was pretty good. Spartans beat PSU 42-8. Four of the first eight NFL draft picks played on that team: No. 1 DE Bubba Smith, No. 2 RB Clinton Jones, No. 5 LB George Webster and No. 8 WR Gene Washington. Of course, they gave the national title to 8-0-1 Notre Dame instead of 9-0-1 Michigan State.

 

[kijanacat]

While the media types all favored Miami, I believe the actual sports betting line (Vegas) favored Penn State.

 

[PSU65]

Miami 1986. We don't have a chance.

 

[PSUcup1]

While the media types all favored Miami, I believe the actual sports betting line (Vegas) favored Penn State.

Incorrect

 

[nittany119]

I believe it is still the highest viewed CFB game of all time. I was fortunate to be in Tempe for that game!

Me too. While being at the sugar bowl when we won the first MNC was unrivaled, because it was the first, the satisfaction of beating Miami that night was something I'll never forget. I think we would lose to them most nights, but not that night. They still haven't gotten over ut

 

[PSU65]

While the media types all favored Miami, I believe the actual sports betting line (Vegas) favored Penn State.

It opened with us being 7 point dogs. Couldn't find anything else.

 

[royboy]

In fact, I'll go a step further and say that Miami team may be the best team ever that P.S. played.... I'll leave it to others here with greater depth of knowledge than I to challenge

Well, the competition for that designation might be the 2001 Miami team that came into a hyped up Beaver Stadium (return of Adam T., etc.) and blew out Penn State 33-7. The 2001 Miami team finished 12-0 national champs and had a ton of NFL talent up and down the lineup. 38 players on that roster were drafted by the NFL.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Miami_Hurricanes_football_team#NFL_Draft_selections

**edit to add... In all, an extraordinary 17 players from the 2001 Miami football team were drafted in the first-round of the NFL Draft (5 in the 2002 NFL Draft: Buchanon, McKinnie, Reed, Rumph, and Shockey; 4 in 2003: Johnson, Joseph, McDougle, and McGahee; 6 in 2004: Carey, Taylor, Vilma, Wilfork, Williams, and Winslow; 1 in 2005: Rolle; and 1 in 2006: Kelly Jennings)

 

[anon_1eeb2b426hv3y]

What was the best team Penn State faced in a bowl game?

The choices (and feel free to write-in any you see fit to)

1. 1968 Kansas - Orange Bowl; #6 ranked with a 9-1 record. Finished the season 9-2 and ranked #7. Penn State 15 Kansas 14
2. 1969 Missouri - Orange Bowl; #6 ranked with a 9-1 record. Finished the season 9-2 and ranked #6. Penn State 10 Missouri 3
3. 1972 Oklahoma - Sugar Bowl; #2 ranked with a 10-1 record. Finished the season 11-1 and
ranked #2. Oklahoma 14 Penn State 0
4. 1975 Alabama - Sugar Bowl; #4 ranked with a 10-1 record. Finished the season 11-1 and ranked #3. Alabama 13 Penn State 6
5. 1978 Alabama - Sugar Bowl; #2 ranked with a 10-1 record. Finished the season as national champions with a 11-1 record. Alabama 14 Penn State 7
6. 1982 Georgia - Sugar Bowl; #1 ranked with an 11-0 record. Finished the season 11-1 and ranked #4. Penn State 27 Georgia 23
7. 1985 Oklahoma - Orange Bowl; #3 ranked with a 10-1 record. Finished the season as national champions with a 11-1 record. Oklahoma 25 Penn State 10
8. 1986 Miami - Fiesta Bowl; #1 ranked with an 11-0 record. Finished the season with an 11-1 record and ranked #2. Penn State 14 Miami 10
9. 2008 USC - Rose Bowl; #4 ranked with an 11-1 record. Finished the season with a 12-1 record and ranked #3. USC 38 Penn State 24
10. 2016 USC - Rose Bowl; #9 ranked with a 9-3 record. Finished the season with a 10-3 record and ranked #3. USC 52 Penn State 49

86 Miami or 75 bama

 

[PSU73]

I figured most would opt for Miami, so I went with 1985 Oklahoma , mostly to see if anyone else remembers that game. Two very stout defenses. Penn State had its chances in that game. Two questionable personal foul penalties (aren't they all) and 4 Schaffer int's figured in to OK's success. The back breaker was our DB (he was great but my old timer's is blocking me right now) went out injured and OK burned our sub as Keith Jackson caught a 71 yard pass from Jamelle Hollieway.

 

[nittany119]

I figured most would opt for Miami, so I went with 1985 Oklahoma , mostly to see if anyone else remembers that game. Two very stout defenses. Penn State had its chances in that game. Two questionable personal foul penalties (aren't they all) and 4 Schaffer int's figured in to OK's success. The back breaker was our DB (he was great but my old timer's is blocking me right now) went out injured and OK burned our sub as Keith Jackson caught a 71 yard pass from Jamelle Hollieway.

Was at that one. Very sad evening. First play out, the sub got burned. I believe you are referring to Ray Isom

 

[sunshinedynomite]

I figured most would opt for Miami, so I went with 1985 Oklahoma , mostly to see if anyone else remembers that game. Two very stout defenses. Penn State had its chances in that game. Two questionable personal foul penalties (aren't they all) and 4 Schaffer int's figured in to OK's success. The back breaker was our DB (he was great but my old timer's is blocking me right now) went out injured and OK burned our sub as Keith Jackson caught a 71 yard pass from Jamelle Hollieway.

Shafers only collegiate loss correct?

 

[The Song Remains the Same]

https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pen...state-football-jimmy-johnson-1987-fiesta-bowl

Former Miami Hurricanes and Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday. And while his career was celebrated for his triumphs, he also took time to note his most bitter defeat.

John Walters of The Daily:

"The most devastating loss for me, college or pro, was the loss to Penn State," said Johnson of the 14-10 shocker in the '87 Fiesta Bowl, the de facto national championship game that season. "I just went back into the locker room and was completely devastated. That '86 Miami team was the best I ever had."

 

[PSU73]

Was at that one. Very sad evening. First play out, the sub got burned. I believe you are referring to Ray Isom

Yes. Isom was who I was trying to remember. Thanks.
That loss has always stuck I’m my craw...ugh...Boz.

 

[PSU73]

Shafers only collegiate loss correct?

I really don’t know about that.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I figured most would opt for Miami, so I went with 1985 Oklahoma , mostly to see if anyone else remembers that game. Two very stout defenses. Penn State had its chances in that game. Two questionable personal foul penalties (aren't they all) and 4 Schaffer int's figured in to OK's success. The back breaker was our DB (he was great but my old timer's is blocking me right now) went out injured and OK burned our sub as Keith Jackson caught a 71 yard pass from Jamelle Hollieway.

Also went outside the box and picked 2008 USC. If they hadn't blown it against Oregon State they would have probably (easily) won the National Championship that year. Their defense was nuts - Maualuga, Matthews, Mays, Cushing, Moala, Maiava; and their offense had Sanchez, McKnight, O'Dowd, P. Turner, and S. Johnson. I thought Mays killed Jordan Norwood (who somehow bounced up without a scratch)....Sanchez threw for over 400 yards and had an 80% completion rating that day. They could have score 60 if they wanted.

 

[RU31trap]

I thought that 1985 Oklahoma team was dam good on both sides of the ball.

 

[kijanacat]

It opened with us being 7 point dogs. Couldn't find anything else.

Depends on who is giving odds. There is the general media and the Vegas line which covers the professional sports bets. Not always the same odds.

 

[kijanacat]

Both Oklahoma teams we faced were outstanding. Good top to bottom (remember the Selmon brothers). Miami was great but we had better coaching, hit harder and managed to get into Testaverde's head as well as Jimmy Johnson's haircut. (He made mention of it during pregame interviews when he referred to JoePa as St. Joe.)

 

[Roar More]

I assumed this was a rhetorical question.

Miami.

 

[EPC FAN]

I really don’t know about that.

Shaffer was 23-1 as a starter at Penn State.

 

[Lion78]

'86 Miami had:
the hypesman award winner (Testaverde QB), the Thorpe winner (Bennie Blades S), the Dlineman of the year (Jerome Brown)
3 - 1st team all-Americans - Testaverde, Jerome Brown, Bennie Blades
4 - 2nd team all-Americans - Michael (crocodile arms) Irvin, Dan Stubbs, Dan Sileo, Greg Radoczy
5 - Honorable Mention all-Americans - Bratton and Highsmith at RB, Mira and Moss at LB, and O'Connor at G

This one isn't close.

 

[maxxedout]

Also went outside the box and picked 2008 USC. If they hadn't blown it against Oregon State they would have probably (easily) won the National Championship that year. Their defense was nuts - Maualuga, Matthews, Mays, Cushing, Moala, Maiava; and their offense had Sanchez, McKnight, O'Dowd, P. Turner, and S. Johnson. I thought Mays killed Jordan Norwood (who somehow bounced up without a scratch)....Sanchez threw for over 400 yards and had an 80% completion rating that day. They could have score 60 if they wanted.

Where’s the targeting call!!?

 

[kgilbert78]

The 1966 unbeaten Michigan State team (that was tied by Notre Dame in the season finale) was pretty good. Spartans beat PSU 42-8. Four of the first eight NFL draft picks played on that team: No. 1 DE Bubba Smith, No. 2 RB Clinton Jones, No. 5 LB George Webster and No. 8 WR Gene Washington. Of course, they gave the national title to 8-0-1 Notre Dame instead of 9-0-1 Michigan State.

Yeah, but that wasn't a bowl game...

 

[PSUcup1]

Depends on who is giving odds. There is the general media and the Vegas line which covers the professional sports bets. Not always the same odds.

huh?

that makes no sense

the media doesnt put out odds

we were not a favorite in that game against Miami. at least a 7 point dog IIRC....

 

[BUFFALO LION]

1986 Miami, easily.

Didn't we lose to 86 Miami????

If I remember correctly, we didn't pass Herbie's "eye test." : ^ )

 

[JosephNit]

Great discussion, guys.

Responding to various posts in the thread:

Right, the reaction of Jimmy Johnson and a number of his players, even years later, is priceless. They still can’t believe they lost the game. And it still eats at them. And I feel soooo bad that they remain tormented and can’t let go. NOT!!

Yes, the pointspread opened with Miami giving 7 points. And it pretty much stayed that way the whole week prior to the game. But believe me, ALL the “experts” picked the Canes to win easily. In fact, the large majority were confident that Miami would cover that number with no problem at all. They said it was easy money.

For those who wonder whether Oklahoma’s 1985 edition might be a better team than Miami, well, no, not even close. Miami played Oklahoma for three straight years in the mid-80’s and won each time. The first two games were not even particularly close. Oklahoma had an outstanding team, but Miami’s 1986 squad was clearly superior.

Starting in the 7th grade, continuing through high school and his years at Penn State, John Shaffer never lost a game he started at QB, with the single exception of the 1985 Orange Bowl against Oklahoma. He was, like, 70 wins and 1 loss, or something close to that. He could not throw. He could not run. The only thing he could do, and did do, was win. I could be wrong, but that’s pretty much all you want from a QB.

Regarding the contest itself against Miami, which remains the top-rated college television game of all time, I watched it holding my then 6-month old son on a rocking chair in front of the TV. At some point in the first half, I got it into my head that my kid was a lucky charm of sorts. So I held onto him there the entire game – until my man, Pete Giftopoulos, sealed the deal at the very end.

Like I said, that game, and that play, remain my all-time favorites for any team and any sport. In fact, just a few weeks ago I watched the replay, which is available on YouTube without commercials. The good guys beat the bad. Class defeats bling. It’s all there, and it does a man's heart good to see it -- then, or 30 years later.