Was Penn State elite this year?

[SheldonJoe2215]

To be "elite" as a program in this era is really tough
Michigan won a title but that's not an elite program. Is Alabama without Saban an elite program?
Right now, it's probably only Ohio State and UGa. And they both can't beat one team (Michigan and Bama)

It will be interesting to see what happens with these elite teams now that revenue sharing is institutionalized. I've already seen fans of some SEC teams complaining that they are losing talent because of the lack of playing time.

Hopefully, there will be some leveling of the playing field between the haves and have nots.

I know you disagree with this, but I personally don't see a lot of value/fun in a superconference of 36 teams comprised mainly on the SEC and the B1G. At that point, why not just watch the NFL.

 

[LandoComando]

It will be interesting to see what happens with these elite teams now that revenue sharing is institutionalized. I've already seen fans of some SEC teams complaining that they are losing talent because of the lack of playing time.

Hopefully, there will be some leveling of the playing field between the haves and have nots.

I know you disagree with this, but I personally don't see a lot of value/fun in a superconference of 36 teams comprised mainly on the SEC and the B1G. At that point, why not just watch the NFL.

Because it's a high end developmental league for the NFL, just like college football is today, with the change being that we don't have to watch Penn State vs Kent State. You get better games. And I want 48 teams--4 divisions of 12--top 3 in each make the playoffs. Division change every two years--rotation of 12 pods of 4 (three combined). You play 11 games against your conference--that way all games actually matter.

I know and get the love of the history of the game--things evolve and change. College football has to in order to survive.

Also, the NFL is for Sundays--still need football to watch on Saturdays

 

[SLUPSU]

A synonym for elite is "best." In any given season, the only team worthy of being described as elite/best is the national champion.

 

[MacNit2.0]

“Flashes” of being elite.Closer to elite than last year. —We’re trending upward, not downward.

Willing to wait another 10 years? 20? We are treading water.

 

[MacNit2.0]

It will be interesting to see what happens with these elite teams now that revenue sharing is institutionalized. I've already seen fans of some SEC teams complaining that they are losing talent because of the lack of playing time.

Hopefully, there will be some leveling of the playing field between the haves and have nots.

I know you disagree with this, but I personally don't see a lot of value/fun in a superconference of 36 teams comprised mainly on the SEC and the B1G. At that point, why not just watch the NFL.

NFL with less talent…that’s where this is all headed…last domino will be kids will not need to be enrolled in school…that is closer than many believe.

 

[lazydave841]

NFL with less talent…that’s where this is all headed…last domino will be kids will not need to be enrolled in school…that is closer than many believe.

Wait until the kids fight for entering the draft when they want to, being draft eligible, but undrafted then returning to college football (NIL greater payday than UDFA signees).

 

[johnmpsu]

I don't care if they are elite, good, average, or mediocre.

I just want to believe they have a chance against a team perceived to be better than them! They don't have to win. I just want to think they might.

 

[bdgan]

OSU is only the 4th team in history to beat 4 top five teams in a year

That's what a $20 million payroll will get you. Next year it's going to be more than a $40 million payroll.

 

[rrdd2021]

That's what a $20 million payroll will get you. Next year it's going to be more than a $40 million payroll.

Where did you get the $40 million from? Oh, and they'll still trail Oregon, Texas and a couple of others

 

[Colorado Lion]

Exactly. You can’t go 0-3 against teams with a pulse and be considered elite.

Also, what elite team has had their WRs go an entire game with zero receptions.

Penn State has a good team but they are nowhere near being elite.

If they start beating big boy programs, then we can revisit the elite question. For now, forget about it.

That's fair.

 

[cyrizzle]

PSU was so close to beating teams in the playoffs. A play here or there and they would be in the championship game against an "elite team". But that "elite" team lost to Oregon and Michigan, so what qualifies as elite. I guess you have to beat OSU, but Michigan did and they are not elite this year.
I'm thinking they were playing with all the elite teams this year, just have to do it every year and beat OSU and we might be happy lol.

We made the national semifinals, should finish the season ranked in the top 5, and had THE MOST WINS IN PSU HISTORY IN A SINGLE SEASON!!! So the answer to me is a resounding YES! As painful as Thursday night was, this was truly a special and elite season!!!

 

[NittanyIllinois]

That's what a $20 million payroll will get you. Next year it's going to be more than a $40 million payroll.

Ironically, they just beat two teams with larger payrolls.

 

[YeOldeCup]

Franklin and Tomlin are similar. Watching the Steelers muddle through a playoff game at Baltimore. They can both give the fans just enough to stay, but neither are title contenders or elite coaches.

 

[blair10]

Franklin and Tomlin are similar. Watching the Steelers muddle through a playoff game at Baltimore. They can both give the fans just enough to stay, but neither are title contenders or elite coaches.

Not sure why you felt the need to compare Franklin with Tomlin. Tomlin has taken his team to 2 Super Bowls and won a Super Bowl. You are comparing apples with oranges.

 

[MacNit2.0]

I don't care if they are elite, good, average, or mediocre.

I just want to believe they have a chance against a team perceived to be better than them! They don't have to win. I just want to think they might.

Do you?

 

[YeOldeCup]

Not sure why you felt the need to compare Franklin with Tomlin. Tomlin has taken his team to 2 Super Bowls and won a Super Bowl. You are comparing apples with oranges.

NOPE. Tomlin rode Cowher's rosters and coattails. He took over in 2007 with Cowher's players. They won the SB (with Roethlisberger) in 2009, and lost in 2011. He (and the franchise) hasn't come close since.


Edit: interesting playoff stats:

Chuck Noll: 24 16 8 .667
Bill Cowher: 21 12 9 .571
Mike Tomlin: 18 8 10 .444 (with another loss coming tonight)

Like I said, just enough to keep some money flowing, but not a contender.

 

[blair10]

NOPE. Tomlin rode Cowher's rosters and coattails. He took over in 2007 with Cowher's players. They won the SB (with Roethlisberger) in 2009, and lost in 2011. He (and the franchise) hasn't come close since.

Did you think the same of golden boy wonder Jon Gruden when he rode the coattails of Tony Dungy and won a Super Bowl with a roster built by Tony Dungy? Just curious.

 

[YeOldeCup]

Did you think the same of golden boy wonder Jon Gruden when he rode the coattails of Tony Dungy and won a Super Bowl with a roster built by Tony Dungy? Just curious.

See my edit of my original post. I'm posting as a PA native, and have no interest in other teams.

 

[LandoComando]

Did you think the same of golden boy wonder Jon Gruden when he rode the coattails of Tony Dungy and won a Super Bowl with a roster built by Tony Dungy? Just curious.

Gruden did--see his career after that
The difference is Cowher had actually won before

 

[johnmpsu]

Do you?

Yes. Has he provided any evidence that hope is reasonable? The record sure doesn't show that.