Random Thoughts on Tonight

[mrtailgate]

1- First Clemson is really good. Lose a player like Watson and don't miss a beat. They have impressed me a ton this year. A possible 3 peat of the championship game?

2- Three games in there is work to do. I would first say that PSU has yet to have a receiver step up. Certainly 26 and 88 create a ton of match up problems, but it's clear that PSU misses Godwin. He was a big security blanket for Trace and we have not had a receiver step up into that role yet.

3- Both the O and D have holes. On offense, still no ability to knock people off the ball consistently. Tonight, we had too many loss plays and I've had enough of the stand still handoffs to 26. He has no chance on those plays. Still not comfortable that this offense has the ability to get tough yards in a tough game against a tough team. Way too much reliance on big plays. Still disappointed on the lack of taking the top off D's. Finally a deep ball and it came from Stevens to Saed tonight.

4- D has been disappointing regardless of points given up. The LB'er play IMO has been substandard. Tonight, way too many third down conversions allowed to a terrible team. The back end has been better than I thought it would be so that has been positive.

5- Punting has been very good. Placekicking a bit troublesome. A couple of missed FG's and a kick out of bounds. Return teams and coverage look to be solid do far.

6- Coaching has been interesting. I almost think Jo Mo has been playing it a bit under the radar a bit.

Good test next week in a tough place to play. I expect it to be a tight game ultimately decided by a big play by 26.

 

[CDLionFL]

Teams are going to sell out to stop Barkley. I think that's pretty well-known. The way that the first 3 teams have tried to do it seems to be to blitz up the middle and create a ton of traffic in front of the read-option point and not allow Barkley to get going. Barkley is certainly better when he can get the edge and build up the speed. When he can get through the line, it's more on the quick-hit, trap block type running play.

Defensively, I'd agree that 3 games in, there's stuff to not like, one of which being the allowance of the middle of the field to be open in the running game. Teams that run the read-option, misdirection stuff (OSU, Northwestern to name a couple) will drive us nuts with it. Iowa is more of a straight-ahead pro-style running game so we might get a reprieve from all that crazy ballhandling in the backfield.

 

[NittanyOpp]

Awfully tough on a team who has won 52-0 and 56-0 over patsies and by 19 over an in state rival who stinks.

Nevertheless, you have points about O line, defense and some concerns that are warranted. Need a better push from o line running inside. I do think the big pass play will come as we haven't had to use it much at all right now and JoMo has some tricks up his sleeve, i feel he hasn't thrown the whole sink at anyone yet. The Trace step up in pocket and let launch will be coming soon. I just don't get why Blacknall doesn't play more, did he sleep with Franklins wife or something? Guy is a stud who makes big plays and I fully expected him to be the Godwin of this squad this year. Flashes big plays downfield and showed it again tonight.

 

[Grass]

The lack of a pass rush and the LB play concerns me. I think the offense is being held back intentionally by JF, but I do believe they miss Godwin more than most expected. Why fully open the offense when you are a heavy favorite in the first three games? They are keeping it simple and showing a wrinkle here and there just to give future opponents something to think about.

 

[artsandletters]

Franklin and Joe M may be holding back but that has nothing to do with the O Line's inability thus far to give 26 many opportunities to find a crease.

 

[Nitwit]

We will find out next week what this team is made of. I think we're fine and we will see some new rinkles next week. We have talent all over the field.

 

[srg1]

We will find out next week what this team is made of. I think we're fine and we will see some new rinkles next week. We have talent all over the field.

I cannot find anything regarding why Cam Brown did not play tonight. Anybody? Also Bowen looked like he was being checked out for a concussion or something else. They took his helmet away and he went into the locker room. It was after I believe he forced a turnover. Torrence Brown looked gimpy on the sidelines in street clothes. Why did Barkley go into the doctor's tent in the first half?

I also thought it was strange that Zembiec did not play. He also did not appear to join some of the huddles. He never came close to removing his baseball cap. He did not look bothered at all. Injury?

 

[psuro]

We. Are. Doomed.

 

[LionJim]

We. Are. Doomed.

I gotta get off the board for the day.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

The lack of a pass rush and the LB play concerns me. I think the offense is being held back intentionally by JF, but I do believe they miss Godwin more than most expected. Why fully open the offense when you are a heavy favorite in the first three games? They are keeping it simple and showing a wrinkle here and there just to give future opponents something to think about.

Does anybody recall the games last season where Godwin was a total non factor. I guess not. He was one of the best ever at unreal catches and was McSorley's go to guy....had a unreal work ethic and attitude but I am afraid we overlook the significant contributions of Thompkins, Blacknall, Gesicki and Ham ... in many games last season..all are still here. I think you nailed it with why fully open the offense. With JJ, Charles and Polk in the mix Time, of course, will tell.

 

[emrtmakesshiteup]

1- First Clemson is really good. Lose a player like Watson and don't miss a beat. They have impressed me a ton this year. A possible 3 peat of the championship game?

2- Three games in there is work to do. I would first say that PSU has yet to have a receiver step up. Certainly 26 and 88 create a ton of match up problems, but it's clear that PSU misses Godwin. He was a big security blanket for Trace and we have not had a receiver step up into that role yet.

3- Both the O and D have holes. On offense, still no ability to knock people off the ball consistently. Tonight, we had too many loss plays and I've had enough of the stand still handoffs to 26. He has no chance on those plays. Still not comfortable that this offense has the ability to get tough yards in a tough game against a tough team. Way too much reliance on big plays. Still disappointed on the lack of taking the top off D's. Finally a deep ball and it came from Stevens to Saed tonight.

4- D has been disappointing regardless of points given up. The LB'er play IMO has been substandard. Tonight, way too many third down conversions allowed to a terrible team. The back end has been better than I thought it would be so that has been positive.

5- Punting has been very good. Placekicking a bit troublesome. A couple of missed FG's and a kick out of bounds. Return teams and coverage look to be solid do far.

6- Coaching has been interesting. I almost think Jo Mo has been playing it a bit under the radar a bit.

Good test next week in a tough place to play. I expect it to be a tight game ultimately decided by a big play by 26.

Your #3! SB is great for this offense, however, as far as utilizing SB's rushing potential, the offense is not so great for him. I assume the I is a dying breed, but TM sees the field so efficiently that we'd be racking passing and rushing yards up with a TE, two WR or one and slot man and two backs. The TB or FB can still be utilized in the passing game. Last but not least indeed, great backs have been neutralized even with a good FB, however, that FB can still take on that first man in the box giving a SB a chance for a yard or so. Having said this, hard to nock 56 points!

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

The lack of a pass rush and the LB play concerns me. I think the offense is being held back intentionally by JF, but I do believe they miss Godwin more than most expected. Why fully open the offense when you are a heavy favorite in the first three games? They are keeping it simple and showing a wrinkle here and there just to give future opponents something to think about.

You've got to be kidding me.

 

[fkkkjm]

I cannot find anything regarding why Cam Brown did not play tonight. Anybody? Also Bowen looked like he was being checked out for a concussion or something else. They took his helmet away and he went into the locker room. It was after I believe he forced a turnover. Torrence Brown looked gimpy on the sidelines in street clothes. Why did Barkley go into the doctor's tent in the first half?

I also thought it was strange that Zembiec did not play. He also did not appear to join some of the huddles. He never came close to removing his baseball cap. He did not look bothered at all. Injury?

I think that Bowen got blasted by friendly fire. Appeared that he got hit by Shaka toney when they converged on the quarterback and Bowen took the worst of it. Back in the day we'd say it looks like he got his bell rung. In today's speak - probably in a concussion protocol.

 

[NJPSU]

My takeaway from last night was that we have some serious depth on this team. Some of those young guys, particularly on the DL and in the secondary look as explosive as some of our starters.

I guess that's what happens when you consistently recruit as well as Franklin does.

How about that Miles Sanders run? Nobody can replace Barkley but Sanders does seem to get going a hair quicker out of a standstill than Barkley does.

 

[VaNtyLion]

My takeaway from last night was that we have some serious depth on this team. Some of those young guys, particularly on the DL and in the secondary look as explosive as some of our starters.

I guess that's what happens when you consistently recruit as well as Franklin does.

How about that Miles Sanders run? Nobody can replace Barkley but Sanders does seem to get going a hair quicker out of a standstill than Barkley does.

Agree with this a lot - that run was incredible with his speed and acceleration - a great way for Sanders to gain some confidence and put some of the struggles behind. This team is going to need him and important for the kid to enjoy some success

 

[Lionguy32]

Disagree with your comment about the receivers. It's not that nobody is stepping up. It's more like we are ridiculously balanced. This is probably the 2nd best group of receivers ever at PSU. The top was last year with Godwin.