WE ARE going to be REALLY GOOD this year....and here is why...

[MontereyLion]

Franklin was head coach at Vanderbilt for 3 year...2011 thru 2013. The previous 2 years Vanderbilt went 2-10, both years. They had little talent and what talent they had was all on the first string. Franklin took Vanderbilt to a bowl game all three years he was there. Going 9-4 his last 2 years, as their head coach. All three years he was Vandy's coach they had a little better talent but all of that talent was still on first string. They had no depth of talent to speak of. James then took over the Lions. He took them over at the worst of times. We were still in sanctions, working our way out. Our team had talent but again it was all on the first string. We were so thin that it was hard to have a decent practice. The last thing James wanted to do was injury a starting O or D lineman in practice. We were able to scrape by and go 7-6 his first two years at Penn State. Then came the surprise year in 2016 when we won the Bigten. We did it with some star players and a creative offense. But we still didn't have a lot of depth of talent. Slowly from 2016 thru 2018 our depth improved but very unevenly. At times we had no Oline depth. At other times we had very little Dline depth. In a few games we had to pull linebackers out of the stands to play. This year that all changes. WE ARE deep in talented players through most positions. At least 2 deep and at some positions 3 deep. The 2 positions we might not be considered deep at are O tackle and maybe Safety(but that is to be seen). We are really deep in talent at WR, RB, TE, LB, DE and DB. Even QB I think we are at least 2 deep in talented QBs, maybe 3 deep. Yes this team is young and inexperienced and that is a problem. However the schedule lays out perfectly for a young team. Our first 4 games are like NFL preseason games. Four great games to gain the needed experience our young talented team needs to grow into some thing special. Our 5th game is at home against Purdue. Time for our talented defense to show it's wares. Pundits have said that this could well be the fastest team Penn State has ever had. 26 players have run a 4.5 or better. Other pundits have said this is the best linebacking crew we've had in a decade. Certainly appears that way. How stinking deep are we at talented wide receiver? Our 1994 team had a group of great receivers but I don't think it went this deep in depth of talent. Our interior Oline is really good. Maybe there are a few questions marks at O tackle. But then maybe not. Fries, at RT, has played a lot for Penn State and gotten better as last year went on. I heard one pundit say that redshirt freshman Rasheed Walker, at LT, is the best Olineman Penn State has had in 10 years. Maybe those first four games will help him jell at the position. If our starting QB shines, this offense will surprise. Add that to one hell of a good looking defense and WE ARE going to be REALLY GOOD. Phil says we will go 9-3, maybe 10-2. I have no idea what our win/lose record will be. Just that we will be good AND we will be even better next year. Let's not sleep on this team, this year. Let's enjoy what a truly talented Penn State team looks like. The experience they need will catch up with them and then the rest of the Bigten better look out.
WE ARE....

 

[canuckhal]

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that this year will defined by (a) Rahne as OC and (b) the play at QB.

Expect big improvement on special teams.

 

[schoolie]

Franklin was head coach at Vanderbilt for 3 year...2011 thru 2013. The previous 2 years Vanderbilt went 2-10, both years. They had little talent and what talent they had was all on the first string. Franklin took Vanderbilt to a bowl game all three years he was there. Going 9-4 his last 2 years, as their head coach. All three years he was Vandy's coach they had a little better talent but all of that talent was still on first string. They had no depth of talent to speak of. James then took over the Lions. He took them over at the worst of times. We were still in sanctions, working our way out. Our team had talent but again it was all on the first string. We were so thin that it was hard to have a decent practice. The last thing James wanted to do was injury a starting O or D lineman in practice. We were able to scrape by and go 7-6 his first two years at Penn State. Then came the surprise year in 2016 when we won the Bigten. We did it with some star players and a creative offense. But we still didn't have a lot of depth of talent. Slowly from 2016 thru 2018 our depth improved but very unevenly. At times we had no Oline depth. At other times we had very little Dline depth. In a few games we had to pull linebackers out of the stands to play. This year that all changes. WE ARE deep in talented players through most positions. At least 2 deep and at some positions 3 deep. The 2 positions we might not be considered deep at are O tackle and maybe Safety(but that is to be seen). We are really deep in talent at WR, RB, TE, LB, DE and DB. Even QB I think we are at least 2 deep in talented QBs, maybe 3 deep. Yes this team is young and inexperienced and that is a problem. However the schedule lays out perfectly for a young team. Our first 4 games are like NFL preseason games. Four great games to gain the needed experience our young talented team needs grow into some thing special. Our 5th game is at home against Purdue. Time for our talented defense to show it's wares. Pundits have said that this could well be the fastest team Penn State has ever had. 26 players have run a 4.5 or better. Other pundits have said this is the best linebacking crew we've had in a decade. Certainly appears that way. How stinking deep are we at talented wide receiver? Our 1994 team had a group of great receivers but I don't think it went this deep in depth of talent. Our interior Oline is really good. Maybe there are a few questions marks at O tackle. But then maybe not. Fries, at RT, has played a lot for Penn State and gotten better as last year went on. I heard one pundit say the redshirt freshman Rasheed Walker, at LT, is the best Olineman Penn State has had in 10 years. Maybe those first four games will help him jell at the position. If our starting QB shines, this offense will surprise. Add that to one hell of a good looking defense and WE ARE going to be REALLY GOOD. Phil says we will go 9-3, maybe 10-2. I have no idea what our win/lose record will be. Just that we will be good AND we will be even better next year. Let's not sleep on this team, this year. Let's enjoy what a truly talented Penn State team looks like. The experience they need will catch up with them and then the rest of the Bigten better look out.
WE ARE....

I certainly enjoy reading this assessment more than the usual negative nanny rundowns. I agree that we have lots of talent. I'm not sure I like the "first four game are like NFL preseason games" statement. Wrong way to look at any athletic contest includiing ping pong. But here's to hoping we win 'em all. I think we're capable of doing that if the team gels and gains confidence after hammering through those first four games. It should be an exciting season.

 

[MontereyLion]

I certainly enjoy reading this assessment more than the usual negative nanny rundowns. I agree that we have lots of talent. I'm not sure I like the "first four game are like NFL preseason games" statement. Wrong way to look at any athletic contest includiing ping pong. But here's to hoping we win 'em all. I think we're capable of doing that if the team gels and gains confidence after hammering through those first four games. It should be an exciting season.

If we lose any of our first four games, forget everything I just said. With the talent we have this year that would be a big, big disappointment.

 

[cment]

Not being snide, but if we beat 2 out of 3 of the big boys (OSU,UM,MSU) and Pitt and Purdue, we will be fine and the future will be bright. Defense should be really good and I agree the OC and QB are the top question marks.

 

[NittanyLion15]

Franklin was head coach at Vanderbilt for 3 year...2011 thru 2013. The previous 2 years Vanderbilt went 2-10, both years. They had little talent and what talent they had was all on the first string. Franklin took Vanderbilt to a bowl game all three years he was there. Going 9-4 his last 2 years, as their head coach. All three years he was Vandy's coach they had a little better talent but all of that talent was still on first string. They had no depth of talent to speak of. James then took over the Lions. He took them over at the worst of times. We were still in sanctions, working our way out. Our team had talent but again it was all on the first string. We were so thin that it was hard to have a decent practice. The last thing James wanted to do was injury a starting O or D lineman in practice. We were able to scrape by and go 7-6 his first two years at Penn State. Then came the surprise year in 2016 when we won the Bigten. We did it with some star players and a creative offense. But we still didn't have a lot of depth of talent. Slowly from 2016 thru 2018 our depth improved but very unevenly. At times we had no Oline depth. At other times we had very little Dline depth. In a few games we had to pull linebackers out of the stands to play. This year that all changes. WE ARE deep in talented players through most positions. At least 2 deep and at some positions 3 deep. The 2 positions we might not be considered deep at are O tackle and maybe Safety(but that is to be seen). We are really deep in talent at WR, RB, TE, LB, DE and DB. Even QB I think we are at least 2 deep in talented QBs, maybe 3 deep. Yes this team is young and inexperienced and that is a problem. However the schedule lays out perfectly for a young team. Our first 4 games are like NFL preseason games. Four great games to gain the needed experience our young talented team needs to grow into some thing special. Our 5th game is at home against Purdue. Time for our talented defense to show it's wares. Pundits have said that this could well be the fastest team Penn State has ever had. 26 players have run a 4.5 or better. Other pundits have said this is the best linebacking crew we've had in a decade. Certainly appears that way. How stinking deep are we at talented wide receiver? Our 1994 team had a group of great receivers but I don't think it went this deep in depth of talent. Our interior Oline is really good. Maybe there are a few questions marks at O tackle. But then maybe not. Fries, at RT, has played a lot for Penn State and gotten better as last year went on. I heard one pundit say that redshirt freshman Rasheed Walker, at LT, is the best Olineman Penn State has had in 10 years. Maybe those first four games will help him jell at the position. If our starting QB shines, this offense will surprise. Add that to one hell of a good looking defense and WE ARE going to be REALLY GOOD. Phil says we will go 9-3, maybe 10-2. I have no idea what our win/lose record will be. Just that we will be good AND we will be even better next year. Let's not sleep on this team, this year. Let's enjoy what a truly talented Penn State team looks like. The experience they need will catch up with them and then the rest of the Bigten better look out.
WE ARE....

The amount of talent on this team compared to the last 25 years is overlooked by the media which is a godsend. Penn State hasn't fared very well with preseason hype. Plenty of talent and an unknown at QB?

Sounds a little like 2005, 2008, and 2016

Nice post, don't be afraid to use more than 1 paragraph

 

[Norm Petersin]

I think Parsons,Lbs, and defense really up

 

[PSU.:.]

Talent is there but not sure about the OC.

 

[PSU_Smitty]

And don't forget also that OSU has a new coach and a new QB and Michigan lost alot of starters and they also underachieve every year and I believe this is the year we finally start to demolish Michigan State again regularly, add in getting over those 3 hurdles we have every year to what you just said and I think if we dont make any stupid mistakes, and we get some breaks, it will be a memorable year that sets us up nicely for 2020

 

[baircub1!]

And don't forget also that OSU has a new coach and a new QB and Michigan lost alot of starters and they also underachieve every year and I believe this is the year we finally start to demolish Michigan State again regularly, add in getting over those 3 hurdles we have every year to what you just said and I think if we dont make any stupid mistakes, and we get some breaks, it will be a memorable year that sets us up nicely for 2020

Actually... MSU is the one team I’m very nervous about,, mainly because I think Mark D is the best Coach in the conference. He has done with Sparty what Saban never could do...and somehow gets his players to really rise to the occasion on BIG games..

 

[LaJolla Lion]

I think PSU can be really good this year as well, but they need some luck along the way. @Iowa, @MSU, and @tOSU are no easy outs historically. I love the sheer length, speed, and overall athleticism of this defense. While they are young in a couple spots on defense, they still are experienced as Pry rotates guys and the next man up seems to work out well there. When is the last time you looked at the 2 deep at LB and said.....damn...we have athletes and good LB's across the board there. I think Shane Simmons also has a coming out party this year. He's put in the time, added the mass, and should be ready to go. Toney and Matos along with the freak Oweh really have me liking this DE group...add Jospeh and Tarburton into that mix as well for depth. Windsor, Shelton, PJM, and Hansard provide the beef to hopefully let these fast and long LB's run freely. Saftey has some question marks, but Taylor from game 1 to game 13 last year really got better. Sunderland is the thumper that will cause a fumble or two this year. This defense if they stay healthy will keep PSU in just about ever game I imagine minus a turnover meltdown on O or special teams.

As far as the O goes, I'm not as down on the OL as some are. Gonzo, Menet, and Fries have all played a decent amount of games. In years 3 and 4 OL typically start to really come into their own. The weapons out wide and at TE are pretty damn good, really good. Pat F, Hamler, Dotson...and we get to see what a healthy Shorter can do. Carr could be the X factor here...interested to see how he fits in.

So basically there are a few key factors that will decide if this team is a 8-9 win team or a 10-11 win team. Clifford.....can he avoid the turnovers and manage this offense efficiently. The defense this year should be pretty damn good. Clifford doesn't have to carry PSU to 40 points a game. He needs to make the right reads, take what is given, and get the ball to our playmakers. Rahne needs to realize this as well IMO and keep the sticks moving. Use Slade and that stable of thoroughbreds back there at RB. PSU has recruited crazy well there so use them early on while Clifford is getting his feet wet. The other really big question marks is how long does it take Walker to get up to speed....he basically has 6 weeks with the bye before he's on the road in Iowa playing against an AA DE. If he and Thorpe are firing away by week 6, this team minus a huge run on injuries is pretty damn talented. Nobody expects PSU to win the east, but I'm not so sure they cannot....it's just happens to be the toughest division in college football or 1a to the SEC west.

Late edit....special teams will be improved this year as well. K and P are legit. KO specialist....I like it.

 

[jrd23psu]

I really like our defense. I think we'll have one, if not the top defense in the B1G (along with tOSU) but the offense has so much to prove that I can't say we'll be "really good" this year. I think the team will be good, but I am expecting an 8-4 or 9-3 (if some bounces go our way) year.

 

[gogolion]

I love your enthusiasm, but I loath your lack of paragraphs.

 

[MontereyLion]

I love your enthusiasm, but I loath your lack of paragraphs.

Who needs stinking paragraphs. This isn't a term paper.

 

[lbujoe33]

Who needs stinking paragraphs. This isn't a term paper.

Screw the paragraphs! I think our defense is loaded. Brisker from Lackawanna will really surprise people. Linebackers are fast and there is great depth. In my mind, the offensive line and offensive coaching are our biggest issues.

 

[Option Bob]

So, the national perspective is that there is huge concern over Ricky Rahne as OC but nearly absolute consensus that Josh Gattis -- the guy who lost out as OC to Rahne -- is going to transform mighty Michigan into the powerhouse their fans claim to be every year since World War II.

I've often admitted that I don't know how to evaluate an OC objectively. I remember when Fran Ganter was considered an offensive genius because of 1994. Of course, he hadn't earned that status prior to 1994
and he apparently lost it after that magical season that had among the all-time best QB, RB, WR, TE, and OL in PSU history.

Joe Moorhead got the "genius" tag for 2016-17 when he coached an offense with arguably the best RB in college football in a generation, a QB that many consider better overall than the 1994 guy, 2 WRs who could "go up and catch anything," and a TE who didn't drop a pass in 2 years. JM hasn't quite created similar raves at Mississippi State.

It seems to me that a play-caller is much more intelligent when the plays he calls have a strong-armed, accurate QB; fast and sure-handed WRs; and a 220+, 4.3 sprinter RB.

Maybe we can cut Rahne some slack until he goes through this season with a potentially stud QB, a plethora of stud RBs, a horde of swift WRs, and 2 able-bodied TEs.

But then there's that OL ... as Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say, "It's always something."

 

[ILLINOISLION]

We SHOULD be better at EVERY position this fall. It’s time for the coaching staff to step up their in-game performance.

 

[Ian]

Talented but young team. Favorable schedule with two bye weeks. Building on a team that has been 9-7 in games decided by 7 points or less over the last three years. The O$U and M$U games are painful memories that need to be reversed. So bloody close but the coaching abilities were exposed. It comes down to coaching in those games. There has been obvious weaknesses but it appears those holes have been filled. We will see in October when games @Iowa, scUM, @MSU is this year’s gauntlet.

 

[PSU&Trout]

We SHOULD be better at EVERY position this fall. It’s time for the coaching staff to step up their in-game performance.

The same could be said for posters

 

[GregInPitt]

Who needs stinking paragraphs. This isn't a term paper.

 

[marshall23]

So, the national perspective is that there is huge concern over Ricky Rahne as OC but nearly absolute consensus that Josh Gattis -- the guy who lost out as OC to Rahne -- is going to transform mighty Michigan into the powerhouse their fans claim to be every year since World War II.

I've often admitted that I don't know how to evaluate an OC objectively. I remember when Fran Ganter was considered an offensive genius because of 1994. Of course, he hadn't earned that status prior to 1994
and he apparently lost it after that magical season that had among the all-time best QB, RB, WR, TE, and OL in PSU history.

Joe Moorhead got the "genius" tag for 2016-17 when he coached an offense with arguably the best RB in college football in a generation, a QB that many consider better overall than the 1994 guy, 2 WRs who could "go up and catch anything," and a TE who didn't drop a pass in 2 years. JM hasn't quite created similar raves at Mississippi State.

It seems to me that a play-caller is much more intelligent when the plays he calls have a strong-armed, accurate QB; fast and sure-handed WRs; and a 220+, 4.3 sprinter RB.

Maybe we can cut Rahne some slack until he goes through this season with a potentially stud QB, a plethora of stud RBs, a horde of swift WRs, and 2 able-bodied TEs.

But then there's that OL ... as Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say, "It's always something."

Please understand that it's not personal....we just dislike anyone who coaches for "us." How'd JM's offensive genius play at MS last year? Our resident experts consider this irrelevant as they do the loss of the best running back on the planet. Funny how JM could not even keep SB in Heisman race and threads were replete with cries about his deep handoffs. It isn't just coaches....just watch what happens if Clifford struggles and Stevens
excels. Franklin will be crucified by those who backed Clifford, leading the procession.

 

[dcf4psu]

It comes down to game day coaching. Last year wasn't that good.

 

[Nittany Ziggy]

It comes down to game day coaching. Last year wasn't that good.

So, to paraphrase, depth and talent are meaningless?

 

[marshall23]

It comes down to game day coaching. Last year wasn't that good.

Of course it does.

 

[dcf4psu]

So, to paraphrase, depth and talent are meaningless?

Are you saying we didn't have the depth and talent to beat MSU and Kentucky last year?

 

[Nittany Ziggy]

Are you saying we didn't have the depth and talent to beat MSU and Kentucky last year?

Was it the coaching that was getting run over by Snell in the bowl game?

 

[dcf4psu]

Was it the coaching that was getting run over by Snell in the bowl game?

It was coaching that had us flat coming out of the gate; not ready to play. In a bowl game no less. Inexcusable to me that PSU would show up to a bowl game flat and not ready to play.

 

[marshall23]

Are you saying we didn't have the depth and talent to beat MSU and Kentucky last year?

Are you saying that how the players execute have no bearing on the outcome of a game?

 

[dcf4psu]

9-4 was a disappointment last year. I'm not even talking about the OSU loss. I give Franklin a pass for that one, although his lack of control afterwards calling OSU elite I think was a mistake. It's a good recruiting tool for OSU to say the least. They should not have lost the MSU and Kentucky games. They were better than both teams.

 

[marshall23]

9-4 was a disappointment last year. I'm not even talking about the OSU loss. I give Franklin a pass for that one, although his lack of control afterwards calling OSU elite I think was a mistake. It's a good recruiting tool for OSU to say the least. They should not have lost the MSU and Kentucky games. They were better than both teams.

I'm sure James is relieved that you have granted him a pass. Although I'm sure he is sorry he let you down vs. MSU and Kentucky.

 

[BobPSU92]

F*ck us.

 

[marshall23]

Flash to fanboys....the team with the "most talent" does not always win the game. Why are the games played? Why don't we just add up the recruiting rankings of each team and declare winners. Where did the word upset come from anyway?

 

[marshall23]

F*ck us.

How the hell did the Pirates beat the Yanks in 1960? The Yanks had more talent. Who was the coach who taught Tony Kubeck to catch the ball with his Adam's apple?

 

[marshall23]

F*ck us.

Our coaches suck and if they don't they leave.

 

[BobPSU92]

How the hell did the Pirates beat the Yanks in 1960? The Yanks had more talent. Who was the coach who taught Tony Kubeck to catch the ball with his Adam's apple?

Stengel should have told Ralph Terry not to let Mazeroski hit a home run. Stengel is turrible.

 

[BobPSU92]

Our coaches suck and if they don't they leave.

And they get better somewhere else. Instantly.

 

[marshall23]

Stengel should have told Ralph Terry not to let Mazeroski hit a home run. Stengel is turrible.

Casey was sleeping in the dugout. Casey got canned because he didn't pitch Ford in game 1. Whitey would/should have had 3 starts. That was likely
The biggest miscalculation.

 

[scueng77]

9-4 was a disappointment last year. I'm not even talking about the OSU loss. I give Franklin a pass for that one, although his lack of control afterwards calling OSU elite I think was a mistake. It's a good recruiting tool for OSU to say the least. They should not have lost the MSU and Kentucky games. They were better than both teams.

Poor QB and overall offensive play lost us the MSU and Kentucky games. I love McSorley, but he was below average last year. Not blaming it all on him by any stretch, but he was not himself.

 

[demlion]

The coaching staff needs to step up its on the field performance. Coaches walking back to the huddle, heads down, no fire. The coaches need LEADERSHIP.

 

[Nitwit97]

The amount of talent on this team compared to the last 25 years is overlooked by the media which is a godsend. Penn State hasn't fared very well with preseason hype. Plenty of talent and an unknown at QB?

Sounds a little like 2005, 2008, and 2016

Nice post, don't be afraid to use more than 1 paragraph

Amen brother!! This is how I feel about this team as well. Enough respect that they are ranked so they don’t have to jump 30 teams, but they are under the radar due to all the pub Michigan is getting.

PSU will be sneaky awesome this year, which is just the way I like it. The best things always happen when you aren’t expecting them

We finally got off the Ohio St/Michigan in back to back week schedule cycle, so it sets up well. I wish we had this schedule in 2017, might have made a run at CFP. But that cannot be changed, only the future.