So What If?

[psuro]

Just a couple thoughts as I am waiting for my flight out of Mexico City….


Where would Penn State football program be if

1. OBrien had stayed up to now
or
2. PSU would have made the playoff is 2016 or 2017 or 2019? (Or all three)
or
3. CJF had taken off elsewhere after a successful 2016 year?
or
4. PSU would have run the gauntlet and won the NC after 2017 and/or 2018?

 

[Midnighter2]

Just a couple thoughts as I am waiting for my flight out of Mexico City….


Where would Penn State football program be if

1. OBrien had stayed up to now
or
2. PSU would have made the playoff is 2016 or 2017 or 2019? (Or all three)
or
3. CJF had taken off elsewhere after a successful 2016 year?
or
4. PSU would have run the gauntlet and won the NC after 2017 and/or 2018?

Unlike USC, I think PSU is a resilient program that as shown, can withstand the worse sanctions in the history of the sport (USC basically collapsed when Kiffin took over and many people don't realize they too had pretty harsh sanctions). The fan and institutional support isn't there in the same way as it was for PSU. We go out and get a home run hire in OB, and if he actually follows through on his promise to give his all to the PSU job, and stuck around longer than two years, we're likely slightly ahead of where we are now IMO. He proved he has the mettle to be a successful college HC, and his disdain for recruiting likely stems from having to do so while under sanctions. CJF took the baton and went full force and we're in a great spot today. For how awful we think our administration is, OB and CJF are two absolute home run hires - and back to back. I trust we would have hired someone equally as good if (and when, if ever) CJF decides to leave.

If we win a NC in 2017 and/or 2018 we don't probably don't miss out on Fleming and Bresee.

 

[AWS1022]

Just a couple thoughts as I am waiting for my flight out of Mexico City….


Where would Penn State football program be if

1. OBrien had stayed up to now
or
2. PSU would have made the playoff is 2016 or 2017 or 2019? (Or all three)
or
3. CJF had taken off elsewhere after a successful 2016 year?
or
4. PSU would have run the gauntlet and won the NC after 2017 and/or 2018?

I don’t think we will ever be Bama or OSU level regardless of the coach unless our administration changes and our university philosophy (for lack of a better word) changes. We would also need to bring the steel industry back to improve the talent pool in PA and that ain’t happening. I think where we’ve been the last five years is our ceiling. So had Franklin left, we would be where we’re at now or worse, but not better.

 

[Nitt1300]

I'm not sure OBs offense could ever have been all that great in college- yeah, if you have Tom Brady at QB and real talent on the line and at receiver it's great- but that's not an easy place to get to.

 

[BrucePa]

I don’t think we will ever be Bama or OSU level regardless of the coach unless our administration changes and our university philosophy (for lack of a better word) changes. We would also need to bring the steel industry back to improve the talent pool in PA and that ain’t happening. I think where we’ve been the last five years is our ceiling. So had Franklin left, we would be where we’re at now or worse, but not better.

Forget the steel industry. Pennsylvania should be killing it in the tech industry. With Carnegie Mellon, Pitt, Penn State, Temple, Penn, Lehigh, Bucknell, and all the Div 3 schools, there is no reason Penn State shouldn't be a force in tech. California (obviously), Washington, Texas, Virginia, Georgia....all killing it in tech.

 

[lurkerlion]

I'm not sure OBs offense could ever have been all that great in college- yeah, if you have Tom Brady at QB and real talent on the line and at receiver it's great- but that's not an easy place to get to.

I always thought the RPO is good for college because you don’t have time to develop a qb who can run the pro style offense. Not all guys with good arms learn to make the reads through the receivers. RPO only requires a run read and usually only one pass read.

with that said, if BOB stays he could have become a pro style QB whisperer and attracted the elite pro style guys. PSU could have become the place to go for the traditional Brady types. Of course he would have had to get help recruiting other positions.

 

[AWS1022]

Forget the steel industry. Pennsylvania should be killing it in the tech industry. With Carnegie Mellon, Pitt, Penn State, Temple, Penn, Lehigh, Bucknell, and all the Div 3 schools, there is no reason Penn State shouldn't be a force in tech. California (obviously), Washington, Texas, Virginia, Georgia....all killing it in tech.

But the tech industry isn’t going to result in the tough, gritty kids who want to play football to get to college like PSU used to be able to recruit. We could have a hell of a chess team though.

 

[AWS1022]

I always thought the RPO is good for college because you don’t have time to develop a qb who can run the pro style offense. Not all guys with good arms learn to make the reads through the receivers. RPO only requires a run read and usually only one pass read.

with that said, if BOB stays he could have become a pro style QB whisperer and attracted the elite pro style guys. PSU could have become the place to go for the traditional Brady types. Of course he would have had to get help recruiting other positions.

Like Harbaugh has tried to do?

 

[lurkerlion]

Like Harbaugh has tried to do?

But do it well. And be less of a jerk. Since there is a learning curve, you can’t expect success the first year of every players development. Collins and Blackledge were only consistently good one year.

 

[BobPSU92]

If O’Brien had stayed, PSU would have won three NATTYS. by now. As a result, we’d actually have smart kids coming to PSU, and we would be ranked ahead of Harvard academically. Also, COVID would never have happened.

 

[KCLion]

If O’Brien had stayed, PSU would have won three NATTYS. by now. As a result, we’d actually have smart kids coming to PSU, and we would be ranked ahead of Harvard academically. Also. COVID would never have happened.

Smart and a bunch of f****ers, lol!

 

[marshall23]

None of this would have changed by life a bit....so ..
I might not have remained a psu fan for 55 years, cause I thought BOB was hard to take. Didn't like him, don't like him...just my opinion.

 

[marshall23]

A better thread would be what if Franklin leaves....do we become Tennessee or Nebraska?

 

[Wallace Breen]

Just a couple thoughts as I am waiting for my flight out of Mexico City….


Where would Penn State football program be if

1. OBrien had stayed up to now
or
2. PSU would have made the playoff is 2016 or 2017 or 2019? (Or all three)
or
3. CJF had taken off elsewhere after a successful 2016 year?
or
4. PSU would have run the gauntlet and won the NC after 2017 and/or 2018?

Internally, everyone around the football program expected the team to compete for a national title in 2014. They already knew that the NCAA's unjustified sanctions were not going to be place. The defense was there and the offense would have been a great compliment. The 2015 season would have been nearly as good. It is hard to project 2016 under O'Brien but the core offensive players and Barkley, Godwin, Hamilton and Gesicki would have been upper classmen. The majority of the key defensive players would have been there as well.

 

[marshall23]

Internally, everyone around the football program expected the team to compete for a national title in 2014. They already knew that the NCAA's unjustified sanctions were not going to be place. The defense was there and the offense would have been a great compliment. The 2015 season would have been nearly as good. It is hard to project 2016 under O'Brien but the core offensive players and Barkley, Godwin, Hamilton and Gesicki would have been upper classmen. The majority of the key defensive players would have been there as well.

No one internally or out expected PSU to compete for a National title. You just make shit up.

 

[BobPSU92]

A better thread would be what if Franklin leaves....do we become Tennessee or Nebraska?

I thought if we run Franklin out of town, we become bama.

 

[marshall23]

I thought if we run Franklin out of town, we become bama.

Only if the BWI CAC give up their day jobs and run the program by committee.

 

[AvgUser]

A better thread would be what if Franklin leaves....do we become Tennessee or Nebraska?

Those are the same teams. 🤨

 

[McCloudersportLion]

Wut if Gandalf the Red creeped thru ya pond wit out a wand and said "The FUK you starin at little orky dork!?"

 

[Connorpozlee]

If O’Brien stayed in charge the local Safelite franchise would be able to buy naming rights to Beaver Stadium.
Honestly, I think his race was run when he left. I don’t think he’s a great coach and would not have gotten the program as far as Franklin has.

 

[Wallace Breen]

No one internally or out expected PSU to compete for a National title. You just make shit up.

Except it is 100% true.

 

[Wallace Breen]

A better thread would be what if Franklin leaves....do we become Tennessee or Nebraska?

There is the possibility but it is also very possible we would bring in someone like Ruhle or Campbell and immediately win a national championship. I realized some time ago that Franklin is is not good enough of a coach to win a national championship in State College but good enough of a recruiter for who ever succeeds him to in the first year.

 

[marshall23]

There is the possibility but it is also very possible we would bring in someone like Ruhle or Campbell and immediately win a national championship. I realized some time ago that Franklin is is not good enough of a coach to win a national championship in State College but good enough of a recruiter for who ever succeeds him to in the first year.

Again anything is possible. They can bring in you and win a natty. How many NC's did Rhule and Campbell win combined? How many playoff appearances? Dream on.

 

[Wallace Breen]

Again anything is possible. They can bring in you and win a natty. How many NC's did Rhule and Campbell win combined? How many playoff appearances? Dream on.

Both have done more with less talent than Franklin.

 

[marshall23]

Both have done more with less talent than Franklin.

Your opinion. Take it and $3 and buy a cup of coffee.

 

[psuro]

Those are the same teams. 🤨

Tennebraska?
Or
Nebessee?

 

[Vic Vaselino]

Just a couple thoughts as I am waiting for my flight out of Mexico City….


Where would Penn State football program be if

1. OBrien had stayed up to now
or
2. PSU would have made the playoff is 2016 or 2017 or 2019? (Or all three)
or
3. CJF had taken off elsewhere after a successful 2016 year?
or
4. PSU would have run the gauntlet and won the NC after 2017 and/or 2018?

What if I went back in time and killed your grandfather before he met your grandmother? think about that.

 

[sluggo72]

Unlike USC, I think PSU is a resilient program that as shown, can withstand the worse sanctions in the history of the sport (USC basically collapsed when Kiffin took over and many people don't realize they too had pretty harsh sanctions). The fan and institutional support isn't there in the same way as it was for PSU. We go out and get a home run hire in OB, and if he actually follows through on his promise to give his all to the PSU job, and stuck around longer than two years, we're likely slightly ahead of where we are now IMO. He proved he has the mettle to be a successful college HC, and his disdain for recruiting likely stems from having to do so while under sanctions. CJF took the baton and went full force and we're in a great spot today. For how awful we think our administration is, OB and CJF are two absolute home run hires - and back to back. I trust we would have hired someone equally as good if (and when, if ever) CJF decides to leave.

If we win a NC in 2017 and/or 2018 we don't probably don't miss out on Fleming and Bresee.

Or Dom Bragalone

 

[psuro]

What if I went back in time and killer your grandfather before he met your grandmother? think about that.

I have thought about it.

He would have shot you before you drew you weapon cut you up in pieces and fed you to the jackals. And you wouldn’t be here to respond inanely to simple questions.

So now you know.

 

[horace19040]

Forget the steel industry. Pennsylvania should be killing it in the tech industry. With Carnegie Mellon, Pitt, Penn State, Temple, Penn, Lehigh, Bucknell, and all the Div 3 schools, there is no reason Penn State shouldn't be a force in tech. California (obviously), Washington, Texas, Virginia, Georgia....all killing it in tech.

Does tech produce a lot of 5* football recruits?

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

I don’t think we will ever be Bama or OSU level regardless of the coach unless our administration changes and our university philosophy (for lack of a better word) changes. We would also need to bring the steel industry back to improve the talent pool in PA and that ain’t happening. I think where we’ve been the last five years is our ceiling. So had Franklin left, we would be where we’re at now or worse, but not better.

Ohio HS football isn’t what it once was either, and yet tosu still manages to recruit at a high level. Penn State could absolutely reach the highest tier if, as you suggested, it so desired. To this point, they haven’t decided to go all in, so you’re probably correct that we’re about where we should be.

 

[AWS1022]

Ohio HS football isn’t what it once was either, and yet tosu still manages to recruit at a high level. Penn State could absolutely reach the highest tier if, as you suggested, it so desired. To this point, they haven’t decided to go all in, so you’re probably correct that we’re about where we should be.

Ohio’s high school football is light years ahead of PA’s at this point.

 

[Aardvark86]

Yeah, I was chuckling at the image of a bunch of skinny pants coders on the ol.

 

[LMTLION]

If O’Brien had stayed, PSU would have won three NATTYS. by now. As a result, we’d actually have smart kids coming to PSU, and we would be ranked ahead of Harvard academically. Also, COVID would never have happened.

You had me convinced until your covid comment. 🤪

 

[psuro]

If O’Brien had stayed, PSU would have won three NATTYS. by now. As a result, we’d actually have smart kids coming to PSU, and we would be ranked ahead of Harvard academically. Also, COVID would never have happened.

Covid would have happened, but O'Brien would have been able to defend it.

 

[ouirpsu]

No matter how good a school might be now, they’ve all had their down years, including Bama and ND. Hell, Clemson was nothing until about 10 years ago, and it looks like they’re about to go through a “rough” patch. It’s almost impossible in college football to consistently play at the highest level (I would have included basketball, too, but Duke, so…)

 

[Obliviax]

In retrospect, the two hires were homeruns. BO'B had the chip on the shoulder "come get me" attitude needed for the program to survive. CJF is just a great ambassador of the school.

1. OBrien had stayed up to now. I think we'd be a hard-nosed Iowa-like team. We'd be competitive because he's a great X and O coach. He'd not be able to recruit as well so I think we'd be less talented. However I see us still being second in the east to tOSU.
or
2. PSU would have made the playoff is 2016 or 2017 or 2019? (Or all three) We'd have lost in the first round.
or
3. CJF had taken off elsewhere after a successful 2016 year? We would have had another good coach. PSU is a destination school. It is a good place to live and raise a family. IDK who would be our HC but we'd have gotten a good one. But we'd be behind a half step from where we are today with CJF.
or
4. PSU would have run the gauntlet and won the NC after 2017 and/or 2018? I think CJF would still be at PSU and he'd be considered one of the top four HCs in all the land. We'd be Clemson or GA.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Ohio’s high school football is light years ahead of PA’s at this point.

By which metric? I don’t doubt you’re assumption, but I’d wager Ohio is closer to PA in talent than it is to the perennial front-runners (ie Texas, CA, and FL). According to 247, they weren’t even a top 10 state last year. Yet tosu continues to thrive in recruiting. PSU has the resources to recruit on that level, they just don’t appear to want to.

 

[AWS1022]

By which metric? I don’t doubt you’re assumption, but I’d wager Ohio is closer to PA in talent than it is to the perennial front-runners (ie Texas, CA, and FL). According to 247, they weren’t even a top 10 state last year. Yet tosu continues to thrive in recruiting. PSU has the resources to recruit on that level, they just don’t appear to want to.

I think we want to, we’re just not getting those level recruits for whatever reason and I don’t think any coach short of Saban would be able to get those recruits to come to PSU. Franklin is recruiting as well or better than any other coach would here. Our glory days were far before any of these kids were even thought of. We’re obviously still a big deal in PA, but PA is a weird state when it comes to colleges. Growing up there I had more friends that were ND fans than PSU fans….there were also plenty of Pitt fans, Ohio State fans, even some Michigan fans. Go to most other states and a huge percentage of their state supports the main team (Ohio is mostly OSU fans, WV is almost all WVU fans, Kentucky is almost all UK fans, etc)….for whatever reason PA (at least where I lived) is not like that.