This year could he the most exciting Penn State Football team

[Marylovesthelions]

In my 50 years of being an alum. Like Phoenix, the Lions have risen from the ashes and are poised to reenter the elite level of NCAA football. This rebirth is justification for our loyalty to Joe and the many successful men he tutored.

I am not saying they will be the best team in 50 years but that it is most exciting to have another coach who has led us back to the top while embracing the things that made the grand experiment unique. It is exciting to consternate the many people who danced on the supposed grave of Penn State football. Thank you coach Franklin.

I expect the offense to surpass the 1994 team because they will probably get 20% more plays in. We Are!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MontereyLion]

Hard to pass the excitement that was the year 1986. Also our offense last year did not have any more plays then in years past. It was NOT a true hurry up offense, like say Oregons. It is more like a hurry up and wait offense. That being said, with a better Oline, which appears about ready to show up, our O should only get better then last years O. The key to a special year is an improved defense. If that happens....watch out.

 

[KSLion]

Hard to pass the excitement that was the year 1986. Also our offense last year did not have any more plays then in years past. It was NOT a true hurry up offense, like say Oregons. It is more like a hurry up and wait offense. That being said, with a better Oline that appears to be about to show up, our O should only bet better then last years O. The key to a special year is an improved defense. If that happens....watch out.

My guess is that McSorley et al are going to be more comfortable at the LOS from Day One and thus fewer check-with-me's will tend to create a faster pace and more offensive snaps.

 

[Nitt1300]

I do share the enthusiasm for the team.

But I'm sorry to say that my distain for the University has dampened my overall sense of excitement. And really I am sorry to say that.

 

[21Guns]

One game at a time.

BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE
WHITE WHITE WHITE WHITE WHITE

Uncomfortable silence

 

[MontereyLion]

My guess is that McSorley et al are going to be more comfortable at the LOS from Day One and thus fewer check-with-me's will tend to create a faster pace and more offensive snaps.

I hope they do give Trace the keys to the car more often. That would really put pressure on the defense. That would be lots of FUN.

 

[psugisher]

Hopeful they utilize tempo at certain times during a game but I'm ok with them working within the overall team concept and going slower at times to give the d a break. Should be explosive. One play drives make it hard to run clock..

 

[hagberg]

I hope they do give Trace the keys to the car more often. That would really put pressure on the defense. That would be lots of FUN.

I don't even think that's completely necessary. With most of the offense back for a second year of JoM"O", the check-with-me's shouldn't take as long, hopefully resulting in more offensive downs.

 

[marshall23]

The defense needs to be much improved for this team to meet what has become very lofty expectations. Last season may never be duplicated in our lifetimes......in terms of results exceeding expectations. The pressure to produce as a favorite in every game(with perhaps the exception of OSU) is a different kind of challenge. It defies logic that PSU can play inconsistent 1st half football and overcome 14-21 point deficits.
Before everyone jumps all over me......I think the talent is excellent and the recruiting is beyond anything we could have hoped for. However, I think the schedule is challenging and injury can always be a factor.

 

[ram2020]

The defense needs to be much improved for this team to meet what has become very lofty expectations. Last season may never be duplicated in our lifetimes......in terms of results exceeding expectations. The pressure to produce as a favorite in every game(with perhaps the exception of OSU) is a different kind of challenge. It defies logic that PSU can play inconsistent 1st half football and overcome 14-21 point deficits.
Before everyone jumps all over me......I think the talent is excellent and the recruiting is beyond anything we could have hoped for. However, I think the schedule is challenging and injury can always be a factor.

I agree with all of this and I don't think it overly negative or pessimistic. We struggled on defense at points last season and we struggled with sustained offense. Both killed us in the 4th quarter of the Rose bowl. Our formula became get down by a lot in the first half, then chuck and duck and score points in bunches. No Chris Godwin this year will make that formula more difficult. From a talent perspective......im drooling at the prospects. Remember, there were super talented kids redshirting last year. Got to go out and jump on teams from the opening whistle.

 

[marshall23]

I agree with all of this and I don't think it overly negative or pessimistic. We struggled on defense at points last season and we struggled with sustained offense. Both killed us in the 4th quarter of the Rose bowl. Our formula became get down by a lot in the first half, then chuck and duck and score points in bunches. No Chris Godwin this year will make that formula more difficult. From a talent perspective......im drooling at the prospects. Remember, there were super talented kids redshirting last year. Got to go out and jump on teams from the opening whistle.

I admit to being very reserved and perhaps even a pessimist by nature. I am just extremely uncomfortable with some of the lofty expectations I read about on this board. While I can see very good things in the future, other teams have talent and coaching as well. In early Oct. few had anything good to say for JF. I can't help but wonder what will happen if this team finishes 9-3.

 

[ram2020]

I admit to being very reserved and perhaps even a pessimist by nature. I am just extremely uncomfortable with some of the lofty expectations I read about on this board. While I can see very good things in the future, other teams have talent and coaching as well. In early Oct. few had anything good to say for JF. I can't help but wonder what will happen if this team finishes 9-3.

Well, the sun will still come up after the season. I am pessimistic by nature too, but this is football not life a d death. If the team finishes 9-3 I'd hope that some rational thought would prevail and realize how truly blessed we are to even have a 9-3 football team considering where we were 6 years ago. I honestly thought Penn State football was gone forever.....so 9-3 after a big ten championship year and a top recruiting class? Not so bad, even for the most pessimistic of pessimists.

 

[marshall23]

Well, the sun will still come up after the season. I am pessimistic by nature too, but this is football not life a d death. If the team finishes 9-3 I'd hope that some rational thought would prevail and realize how truly blessed we are to even have a 9-3 football team considering where we were 6 years ago. I honestly thought Penn State football was gone forever.....so 9-3 after a big ten championship year and a top recruiting class? Not so bad, even for the most pessimistic of pessimists.

Agree, but I can't believe some of the things I read here. I too made peace with the demise of PSU Football as I knew it. At 66, I feel so blessed to have attended the Rose Bowl in contrast to The (was it Ticket City) bowl that dark day in Dallas. I am so appreciative of how James Franklin represents PSU Football and especially how he has kept academics and character at the center of the program.

 

[ram2020]

Agree, but I can't believe some of the things I read here. I too made peace with the demise of PSU Football as I knew it. At 66, I feel so blessed to have attended the Rose Bowl in contrast to The (was it Ticket City) bowl that dark day in Dallas. I am so appreciative of how James Franklin represents PSU Football and especially how he has kept academics and character at the center of the program.

66? A young buck like you has plenty of good Penn State football to look forward to. Win or lose, it appears we can look forward to great offense with lots of points, transcendently talented athletes, top level coaching and strength training, a modernized beaver stadium, and the same old commitment to education and high character behavior. What more could a fan want? (Don't even get into the BOT or that stuff, just from a football perspective )

 

[Cletus11]

How good is the Oline. We know Barkley is elite and will score TDs if holes are there. We know Trace can find the open WR if given the time. There are enough WRs that somebody will step up and be that #1 guy that replaces Godwin. We know JoeMo can dial up plays. All comes down to the Oline and how good they can be.

 

[MontereyLion]

Well, the sun will still come up after the season. I am pessimistic by nature too, but this is football not life a d death. If the team finishes 9-3 I'd hope that some rational thought would prevail and realize how truly blessed we are to even have a 9-3 football team considering where we were 6 years ago. I honestly thought Penn State football was gone forever.....so 9-3 after a big ten championship year and a top recruiting class? Not so bad, even for the most pessimistic of pessimists.

When the sanctions broke I took a serious look into our football future. I figured if the sanctions stood for the full 5 years as written, there is no way we could be competitive again until about 2020....maybe 2019 at the earliest. I really thought we were looking at a 3-9 record for 7 to 8 years, before we could hope to be back on the national stage again. The demise of the sanctions and two exceptional coaches changed all of that. We all have appreciate that our program was able to survive and prosper with the hand it was dealt. September 2nd can't come soon enought.

 

[marshall23]

66? A young buck like you has plenty of good Penn State football to look forward to. Win or lose, it appears we can look forward to great offense with lots of points, transcendently talented athletes, top level coaching and strength training, a modernized beaver stadium, and the same old commitment to education and high character behavior. What more could a fan want? (Don't even get into the BOT or that stuff, just from a football perspective )

ageed.

 

[LafayetteBear]

I do share the enthusiasm for the team.

But I'm sorry to say that my distain for the University has dampened my overall sense of excitement. And really I am sorry to say that.

I find it helpful to remind myself, continually, that there is a HUGE distinction between the University and the Executive Committee of its Board of Trustees. The incompetence and ethical shortcomings of the latter are disgusting and lamentable, but the University is sufficiently big and good that it is virtually immune to their mismanagement.

 

[lj4heisman1]

1994

 

[Zone-Blitz]

I don't even think that's completely necessary. With most of the offense back for a second year of JoM"O", the check-with-me's shouldn't take as long, hopefully resulting in more offensive downs.

The check with me's have nothing to do with the experience level of the players, they are for JoeMo to have a last second chance to change the play based on what the defense is showing.

 

[JoeLion]

Expectations are unbelievably high. It will be difficult to surpass the excitement of last year. The BIG Ten will be a very difficult challenge to navigate next year as well. I am looking forward to the season.

 

[KSLion]

The check with me's have nothing to do with the experience level of the players, they are for JoeMo to have a last second chance to change the play based on what the defense is showing.

Hopefully, a full year in the system will allow players to better recognize what they need to do against a given defensive set, to mentally make correct, last-second, LOS adjustments based on alignment changes they might see without checking with the OC to have things figured out for them. They probably won't be able to do that all the time, but I'd expect there would be progress in that direction. At any rate, it shouldn't take long to tell whether or not the number of checks is dropping.

 

[bdgan]

I agree with all of this and I don't think it overly negative or pessimistic. We struggled on defense at points last season and we struggled with sustained offense. Both killed us in the 4th quarter of the Rose bowl. Our formula became get down by a lot in the first half, then chuck and duck and score points in bunches. No Chris Godwin this year will make that formula more difficult. From a talent perspective......im drooling at the prospects. Remember, there were super talented kids redshirting last year. Got to go out and jump on teams from the opening whistle.

The questions are at LB and DE. PSU had a nice lead vs. USC before Bell went down with an injury. Without him and Bowen our defense folded.

The offense should be better at almost every position.

 

[TheGLOV]

So you have no response? You just frame the thoughts of somebody else?

 

[PittsburghBuckeye]

If Penn State has a better offense than that 1994 team, it's going to be a long season for the rest of the Big Ten. I've been watching Ohio State since the late 1950s, and your 1994 team was the best offense I've ever seen in the Big Ten. I don't see it, cause the current OL is not even close to that '94 bunch, led by AA Jeff Hartings, an Ohio kid who got away. And, the kid you have at QB is very good, but he's not -- yet at least -- as good as AA Kerry Collins. In any event, buckle it up Nits. A lot of people in Columbus are looking for some payback on Oct. 28. And, there's won't be any White Out in the Shoe, just red worn by a lot of over-the-top fans thirsty for blood. Should be an interesting game. And, welcome back! The Big Ten needs Penn State to be good again in football.

 

[TheGLOV]

If Penn State has a better offense than that 1994 team, it's going to be a long season for the rest of the Big Ten. I've been watching Ohio State since the late 1950s, and your 1994 team was the best offense I've ever seen in the Big Ten. I don't see it, cause the current OL is not even close to that '94 bunch, led by AA Jeff Hartings, an Ohio kid who got away. And, the kid you have at QB is very good, but he's not -- yet at least -- as good as AA Kerry Collins. In any event, buckle it up Nits. A lot of people in Columbus are looking for some payback on Oct. 28. And, there's won't be any White Out in the Shoe, just red worn by a lot of over-the-top fans thirsty for blood. Should be an interesting game. And, welcome back! The Big Ten needs Penn State to be good again in football.

Much better sir.

 

[Mudge1026]

If Penn State has a better offense than that 1994 team, it's going to be a long season for the rest of the Big Ten. I've been watching Ohio State since the late 1950s, and your 1994 team was the best offense I've ever seen in the Big Ten. I don't see it, cause the current OL is not even close to that '94 bunch, led by AA Jeff Hartings, an Ohio kid who got away. And, the kid you have at QB is very good, but he's not -- yet at least -- as good as AA Kerry Collins. In any event, buckle it up Nits. A lot of people in Columbus are looking for some payback on Oct. 28. And, there's won't be any White Out in the Shoe, just red worn by a lot of over-the-top fans thirsty for blood. Should be an interesting game. And, welcome back! The Big Ten needs Penn State to be good again in football.

What are your thoughts regarding Barrett and the Oline? From our vantage point it appears that Barrett's play has regressed. He isnt a great passer, and is not an "explosive" runner like a Braxton Miller. Seems to me that your offense suffers when it lacks an explosive runner at QB. I know it drove us fans crazy when Penn State would defend a play very well only to have someone like Miller take off for a 30 yard gain when we could have gotten the sack. Barrett cant do that, and it puts a lot of pressure on the Oline.

In addition, don't know yet whether your Oline is up to the challenge. Are they good enough to compensate for Barrett's shortcomings? Last year it didnt seem like a typical OSU line. Maybe its because the new starters succeeded what I think was the best Oline I've seen in the BIG since 2000, it was that good. In fact that's what made Barrett most effective as a runner, nothing like a great Oline to make one look good.

Anyway, the OSU-Penn State match-up will be the BIG game of the year. This is one year Penn State is well equpped with with McSorley and Barkley, and a healthy Oline to go into the Shoe, and come out with a big win. What are your thoughts?

 

[PittsburghBuckeye]

Meyer loves Barrett so it doesn't matter what anyone else in Ohio thinks -- JT is the starter -- period!

That said, I've never been all in with Barrett. Like Miller, he's an average passer. Yes, Miller was more explosive. But, I think JT is the more efficient QB. Not as good a runner as Miller was, but Barrett gets the job done with his legs. That's not a problem. The problem is his arm, and it seems once or twice each year the offensive coaching staff has brain cramps in the close games. That disturbs me more than JT's average, at best, arm.

The OL, yes, had an off year. The OL coach, as a result, is gone. The right tackle, Demetrius Knox was a problem (pass protection) all year against the better teams. I read he's been moved to guard, but he's still a starter in spring practice. Pass protection, which was his problem, is a little easier at guard, with the center there to help if needed.

Starting TB Mike Weber is a nice back, but not a game changer like Zeke Elliott was and Barkley is.

But, the thing you must understand about Ohio State is since Meyer arrived they have recruited as well as anyone in ALL of college football, except Alabama.

The talent is ALWAYS there. The problem has been so many guys jumping ship for the draft after one or two years as starter. Case in point, the DBs last year. I go back (earlier actually) to the '68 national championship team, which had three guys (Jack Tatum was the leader) who were All-America at least one of their three years with the varsity. Last's year's group was better, and couple of those guys were really starters for just one full year. Malik Hooker, who started just one year, might have had the best year of any safety in Ohio State history.

So if Knox, Weber or anyone else doesn't cut it, there is always a very talented backup waiting for his turn.

I'm not bragging here, I'm just stating the obvious. And, my account certainly doesn 't mean Ohio will run the table. With Meyer's teams I always remain optimistic. I'm not surprised if they loss a couple and I'm equally not surprised if they make the final four. Either way, it's always exciting football. I go back to Woody's early days and I've seen them all since then, and Urban Meyer is better than any coach at Ohio State in my lifetime.

Bottom Line: Right now, Ohio State is the cream of the Big Ten. Penn State thinks they can do it next season, but Ohio State as done it for several years now under Meyer.

That said, it will be a fun game against Penn State. You have a nice QB and an even better running back. Barkley is as good as anyone in college football. That said, the game is in Columbus and it will most certainly be prime time night. And, Ohio Stadium is not fun for a visiting team during the Urban Meyer era. I'll be surprised if Penn State wins. Meyer doesn't talk about revenge like Woody used to. But, there's no doubt he has the Penn State game circled on his calendar.

Good luck to Penn State. I remember the Penn State games in the 1990s when Joe still had his fastball. Great games usually. '93 was a great win for Ohio in Columbus, and Joe's group blew the doors off John Cooper in '94. I swore all the way home to Pittsburgh after that one, but Ohio State got it's revenge a few years ago, putting up a 60-plus spot on Penn State. Great rivalry, and I sincerely hope Franklin can sustain what he started last year. It's always more fun when Penn State can play, and right now it would appear they once again can play with anyone.

 

[RickinDayton]

In my 50 years of being an alum. Like Phoenix, the Lions have risen from the ashes and are poised to reenter the elite level of NCAA football. This rebirth is justification for our loyalty to Joe and the many successful men he tutored.

I am not saying they will be the best team in 50 years but that it is most exciting to have another coach who has led us back to the top while embracing the things that made the grand experiment unique. It is exciting to consternate the many people who danced on the supposed grave of Penn State football. Thank you coach Franklin.

I expect the offense to surpass the 1994 team because they will probably get 20% more plays in. We Are!!!!!!!!!!

This success we all hope for is contingent on how these players can handle the pressure of being a favorite in most games instead of the underdog. That position is a different dynamic to deal with. I believe the team has strong captains who can help the younger players along.

 

[lionroar88]

This season both excites me and scares the living begeebus out of me! We could be scary good, or we could be mediocre and be a huge disappointment. This is one of the reasons I never bet on games! Last season was a huge surprise, and was therefore a ton of fun. We have to be honest though and if a few plays don't go the way they did - no way we are sitting where we are today. Let the season play out, but don't go in expecting the MNC! Gotta win game 1 first.

 

[I.J.W.T.]

1994

If I did the math correctly, last year's offense yielded 25.6% more yards per game than 1994's team. Logic tells me we gain even more yards this coming season. So although 1994's team was incredible, I think this offense will be the best ever in program history.

 

[lionroar88]

UGH - you can't compare last year to the 1994 team! That team was loaded with Juniors and Seniors. Compare 2016 to 1993 - much fairer comparison. When you do that, you will notice how lights out good 2016's squad was!