Superior talent and depth matters

[tboyer]

People are focused too much on game coaching and tactics. PSU's tactics were fine. They ran out of bodies. Losing Buchholtz was huge, PSU just doesn't have enough depth at that spot. (they will in a couple years). The D got worn down and DE was the biggest part of it.

Then losing Bates -- well losing your left tackle is going to be bad for any team, fatal for a lot of teams, but PSU was already short of tackles ready to play.

Anyway this game was won by the team that has top 5 recruiting classes every year. Yeah they had the home field, they have a great coaching staff just like PSU does. But the game hinged on slightly better depth and athletes on the tOSU side.

PSU did really well, it's heartbreaking PSU had such a good shot at winning the game. But look at the yardage, look at the play along the LOS. The only reason OSU wasn't winning this game was their own sloppiness. When they got serious and started playing well in the 4th quarter, PSU was gassed on both sides of the ball and that was it. Just like the Rose Bowl.

I don't think people should be this depressed about it. If Franklin can keep the program rising, PSU's recruiting will inch closer to OSU recruiting every year. But it takes time.

It would have been incredible for this team to go undefeated, but as far as I'm concerned, the recovery of PSU football is still way ahead of schedule. A lot of us didn't expect PSU to be competing with the likes of Ohio State and Michigan until 2018 or later.

It's going to be a great season. Beating Michigan State is going to be super tough but I think this team can do it, and playoffs are still at least a faint possibility.

But beyond this season, the future is bright because the recruiting is Top 10 caliber and the coaching is terrific. The team is only going to get better.

 

[CF LION]

Good post. Exactly the way I feel.

 

[Big 0]

OSU has a better quantity of quality.

 

[joeparules]

People are focused too much on game coaching and tactics. PSU's tactics were fine. They ran out of bodies. Losing Buchholtz was huge, PSU just doesn't have enough depth at that spot. (they will in a couple years). The D got worn down and DE was the biggest part of it.

Then losing Bates -- well losing your left tackle is going to be bad for any team, fatal for a lot of teams, but PSU was already short of tackles ready to play.

Anyway this game was won by the team that has top 5 recruiting classes every year. Yeah they had the home field, they have a great coaching staff just like PSU does. But the game hinged on slightly better depth and athletes on the tOSU side.

PSU did really well, it's heartbreaking PSU had such a good shot at winning the game. But look at the yardage, look at the play along the LOS. The only reason OSU wasn't winning this game was their own sloppiness. When they got serious and started playing well in the 4th quarter, PSU was gassed on both sides of the ball and that was it. Just like the Rose Bowl.

I don't think people should be this depressed about it. If Franklin can keep the program rising, PSU's recruiting will inch closer to OSU recruiting every year. But it takes time.

It would have been incredible for this team to go undefeated, but as far as I'm concerned, the recovery of PSU football is still way ahead of schedule. A lot of us didn't expect PSU to be competing with the likes of Ohio State and Michigan until 2018 or later.

It's going to be a great season. Beating Michigan State is going to be super tough but I think this team can do it, and playoffs are still at least a faint possibility.

But beyond this season, the future is bright because the recruiting is Top 10 caliber and the coaching is terrific. The team is only going to get better.

I initially didn't think losing Buchholtz would be a big deal based on the "depth" at DE, but then saw Toney, Simmons and YGM get eaten up by OSU's line. I was more concerned that an LB or two would get hurt. People think that soon as the sanctions were lifted that all would be well, but it takes 4-5 years of high level recruiting to build the quality depth needed in a game like yesterday. CJF is getting them there and by the time PSU plays in the Shoe again it should be much more even in that department.

 

[Cold Smoke]

Good post. Exactly the way I feel.

ditto

 

[tboyer]

Yes, good stuff. Toney is a wonderful talent and will be great for PSU but he will never be able to do what Buchholtz can do. He's a situational player.

Simmons is right on schedule but he's not the player he's going to be in 2 years. (I'd compare him to Rashaun Gary who is also going to be really good player in another season or two).

And Matos -- true freshman playing against Ohio State in a game of this magnitude..... he's going to take his lumps.

For all three of these players, this experience is just invaluable going forward, but for PSU's chances of winning last night, there was definitely a price to be paid, and they paid it.

I initially didn't think losing Buchholtz would be a big deal based on the "depth" at DE, but then saw Toney, Simmons and YGM get eaten up by OSU's line. I was more concerned that an LB or two would get hurt. People think that soon as the sanctions were lifted that all would be well, but it takes 4-5 years of high level recruiting to build the quality depth needed in a game like yesterday. CJF is getting them there and by the time PSU plays in the Shoe again it should be much more even in that department.