What will be different next year?

[bdgan]

We have some good QB prospects but probably a slight drop off.

OL has guys returning but not sure they'll be better.

RB about the same.

No idea what to think about WR. Nobody impressing aside from Hamler.

The one position on offense where there's reason for optimism is TE.

DT loses Givens. Not sure if Hansard will be ready. Could be a problem.

DE will probably be better. Matos looks like an up and comer and Simmons should improve.

LB iremains a concern. Freshmen like Brooks and Luketa haven't done much. I'm not impressed with coaching in this area.

DB probably about the same. Lose a couple of kids, others should improve.

Pinegar should improve.

I wish I'd see more from the young players. So far it's Friermuth and Matos. Maybe Parsons. Also Hamler but I think we need a bigger WR who can high point passes. We need more young players to step up if we want another top 10 finish.

 

[Lionguy32]

Having Parsons on the field more with more experience will be a huge help. Hopefully Culpepper and Hawkins will help solidify the D line. And our receivers hands can’t get much worse.

 

[wrm125]

I thought Givens was a RS junior. I see us being substantially better in many places, and a better team overall than this year — QB is the wild card though.

 

[PennStateTurf2002]

Givens is back. What will change? Big time improvement at linebacker. 5 star Brandon Smith will have a chance to get reps. Parsons is coming into his own and will be on field full time. Nick Scott will be gone but should be replaced with a much more natural defensive player.

If we get good QB play, this is the kind of team that can make a run. I think we have 15 seniors next year according to the current depth chart out of 22 starters.

 

[fkkkjm]

Givens is back. What will change? Big time improvement at linebacker. 5 star Brandon Smith will have a chance to get reps. Parsons is coming into his own and will be on field full time. Nick Scott will be gone but should be replaced with a much more natural defensive player.

If we get good QB play, this is the kind of team that can make a run. I think we have 15 seniors next year according to the current depth chart out of 22 starters.

My thoughts exactly. Add in another 5* tailback, Shorter, Dotson and George pushing guys with dropsies to the bench, and another year of basically the same o-line. Franklin needs to get some more D lineman in the 19 class though. Isaac, Harrison and Hunte please.

Next years team has no excuses. People need to stop whining about the schedule too. If you want to make the CFP you need to win big games on the road, period. Stop whining for 12 home games or a layup of a schedule.

 

[rohrmd9]

We are going to really miss Trace’s ability to get out of trouble and make plays where seemingly none exist. I know folks are excited about the future at QB but I don’t see Stevens or Clifford being as slippery in the pocket as Trace. Jmho

 

[royboy]

We are going to really miss Trace’s ability to get out of trouble and make plays where seemingly none exist. I know folks are excited about the future at QB but I don’t see Stevens or Clifford being as slippery in the pocket as Trace. Jmho

Agree. On a straight run, Stevens can be effective, and Clifford moves reasonably well; both have strong arms, and time will tell about their accuracy.

But Trace's scrambling ability may be hard to make up for.

 

[marshall23]

We have some good QB prospects but probably a slight drop off.

OL has guys returning but not sure they'll be better.

RB about the same.

No idea what to think about WR. Nobody impressing aside from Hamler.

The one position on offense where there's reason for optimism is TE.

DT loses Givens. Not sure if Hansard will be ready. Could be a problem.

DE will probably be better. Matos looks like an up and comer and Simmons should improve.

LB iremains a concern. Freshmen like Brooks and Luketa haven't done much. I'm not impressed with coaching in this area.

DB probably about the same. Lose a couple of kids, others should improve.

Pinegar should improve.

I wish I'd see more from the young players. So far it's Friermuth and Matos. Maybe Parsons. Also Hamler but I think we need a bigger WR who can high point passes. We need more young players to step up if we want another top 10 finish.

Perhaps Nothing! Let's get ahead of the stampede and jump ship now!
Alabama is a safe destination for our fandom. Clemson is right up there. Difficult beyond them to pick a blue chip team worth of loyalty. Georgia is listing slightly and according to "Eleven Warriors" Urban Meyer is well past his prime. LSU is the flavor of the week....wait don't they play Bama?
Damn, just very few guarantees for our sacred trust. If only two teams with talent and determination didn't face each other each week.

 

[AWS1022]

We have some good QB prospects but probably a slight drop off.

OL has guys returning but not sure they'll be better.

RB about the same.

No idea what to think about WR. Nobody impressing aside from Hamler.

The one position on offense where there's reason for optimism is TE.

DT loses Givens. Not sure if Hansard will be ready. Could be a problem.

DE will probably be better. Matos looks like an up and comer and Simmons should improve.

LB iremains a concern. Freshmen like Brooks and Luketa haven't done much. I'm not impressed with coaching in this area.

DB probably about the same. Lose a couple of kids, others should improve.

Pinegar should improve.

I wish I'd see more from the young players. So far it's Friermuth and Matos. Maybe Parsons. Also Hamler but I think we need a bigger WR who can high point passes. We need more young players to step up if we want another top 10 finish.

We’re doomed already.

 

[NittanyOpp]

Eye to 2019 has always been the goal, despite the loss of Trace. Stevens time to shine and if he can't do it, Clifford been waiting for his moment too. Lose basically nothing unless Miles or one OL goes pro. Defensive losses are probably additions for the guys coming in or playing behind now.

Get to 9 or 10 wins this year, good bowl game, keep recruits and get a few more and blow up again next year.

 

[PearlSUJam]

We have some good QB prospects but probably a slight drop off.

OL has guys returning but not sure they'll be better.

RB about the same.

No idea what to think about WR. Nobody impressing aside from Hamler.

The one position on offense where there's reason for optimism is TE.

DT loses Givens. Not sure if Hansard will be ready. Could be a problem.

DE will probably be better. Matos looks like an up and comer and Simmons should improve.

LB iremains a concern. Freshmen like Brooks and Luketa haven't done much. I'm not impressed with coaching in this area.

DB probably about the same. Lose a couple of kids, others should improve.

Pinegar should improve.

I wish I'd see more from the young players. So far it's Friermuth and Matos. Maybe Parsons. Also Hamler but I think we need a bigger WR who can high point passes. We need more young players to step up if we want another top 10 finish.

Moorehead will get fired today after only putting up 3 against LSU and we'll have him in time to install a game plan for Iowa but this time JJ will drop the game winning pass.

 

[marshall23]

How many Purdue players who participated vs OSU last night turned down legitimate scholarship offers from Ohio State?How could they hammer the Buckeyes and lose to Eastern Michigan? Brohm should be fired for losing those first 3 games.....fans should not be blinded by one win. Its just so confusing!

 

[mgkpsu]

Agree. On a straight run, Stevens can be effective, and Clifford moves reasonably well; both have strong arms, and time will tell about their accuracy.

But Trace's scrambling ability may be hard to make up for.

Right, but I wonder if maybe he holds the ball too long, especially to make up for a lack of strength, and thus needs to escape more?

 

[marshall23]

Moorehead will get fired today after only putting up 3 against LSU and we'll have him in time to install a game plan for Iowa but this time JJ will drop the game winning pass.

JoMo is a difficult guy to rate. He was a savior and a genius in 2016. He shit the bed in 2017 and cost SB the Heisman. He was a brilliant HC vs. LSU. Not so great last night. See a trend?

 

[Delco Lion]

 

[Thomas1945]

It’s very clear that next year we should drop all those BIG TEN teams and just play a MAC schedule until us fans can correct this cluster@@@k.

 

[BobPSU92]

We will all be a year older, and probably fatter.

 

[PearlSUJam]

JoMo is a difficult guy to rate. He was a savior and a genius in 2016. He shit the bed in 2017 and cost SB the Heisman. He was a brilliant HC vs. LSU. Not so great last night. See a trend?

Our win was far better and prettier than tOSU's last night. A win is a win. The way I see it, OSU may lose 2 more and if we beat Michigan and win out, then what?

 

[marshall23]

Our win was far better and prettier than tOSU's last night. A win is a win. The way I see it, OSU may lose 2 more and if we beat Michigan and win out, then what?

Then I predict the stampede back onto the band wagon will be humongous.
A veritable tsunami of slobbering, shouting fanboys professing undying love for CJF.

 

[uPBRmeASAP]

We return 9 starters on defense. It’s ludicrous to think our defense won’t be substantially better in 2019.

Plus, all the blue chip defensive talent we have right now is all in their first and second years.

Since Pry took over as the DC, we haven’t had one legit NFL starting caliber player in our
front seven. That is going to change soon.

 

[marshall23]

We return 9 starters on defense. It’s ludicrous to think our defense won’t be substantially better in 2019.

Plus, all the blue chip defensive talent we have right now is all in their first and second years.

Since Pry took over as the DC, we haven’t had one legit NFL starting caliber player in our
front seven. That is going to change soon.

Cabinda and Allen were the emotional heart and soul of the defense. That sort of on field leadership cannot be replaced, nor substituted for by coaching. I think it also is something that isn't replaced by "star power." The hope would be that thru these difficult games, leaders will emerge that will carry the D the rest of the season and lead into 2019.

 

[Mister Magoo]

Agree. On a straight run, Stevens can be effective, and Clifford moves reasonably well; both have strong arms, and time will tell about their accuracy.

But Trace's scrambling ability may be hard to make up for.

If a 6’5” QB can see the field better, he won’t have to scramble. Love Trace. But, throwing from the picket isn’t his strong suit.

 

[BobPSU92]

Love Trace. But, throwing from the picket isn’t his strong suit.

So you're on the fence about Trace?

 

[marshall23]

So you're on the fence about Trace?

What have you done for me lately......hell they turned on Joe.

 

[KnightWhoSaysNit]

Every position, including coaches, should be as good or better with growth and experience. No drop off at QB. Trace is elusive and that won't be replaced, but the position will get better in other ways. The seniors we lose don't seem better than their replacements. I think the coordinators are several years away from peaking, as are quite a few underclassman. The schedule will probably be the equalizer that makes the overall result next year similar to this year.

 

[NJPSU]

We have some good QB prospects but probably a slight drop off.

OL has guys returning but not sure they'll be better.

RB about the same.

No idea what to think about WR. Nobody impressing aside from Hamler.

The one position on offense where there's reason for optimism is TE.

DT loses Givens. Not sure if Hansard will be ready. Could be a problem.

DE will probably be better. Matos looks like an up and comer and Simmons should improve.

LB iremains a concern. Freshmen like Brooks and Luketa haven't done much. I'm not impressed with coaching in this area.

DB probably about the same. Lose a couple of kids, others should improve.

Pinegar should improve.

I wish I'd see more from the young players. So far it's Friermuth and Matos. Maybe Parsons. Also Hamler but I think we need a bigger WR who can high point passes. We need more young players to step up if we want another top 10 finish.

Silly post.

What changed after the Michigan game in 2016 that caused us to win the Big 10?

Players improve, breaks go your way, momentum builds.

 

[AWS1022]

Silly post.

What changed after the Michigan game in 2016 that caused us to win the Big 10?

Players improve, breaks go your way, momentum builds.

And what changed for Michigan this year from last year? They shouldn’t be winning, they have a first year QB and the same guys they had last year. Plus Harbaugh still coaches the same way. Growth and development mean a lot.

 

[mn78psu83]

If a 6’5” QB can see the field better, he won’t have to scramble. Love Trace. But, throwing from the picket isn’t his strong suit.

That is true, but he still does quite well with all of his other strengths and there are many. He lugged it 19 times for 107 yards yesterday and threw for over 200. He might be easily replaced on paper, but not necessarily on the field.

 

[Raffycorn]

I think we’ll be significantly better on the defensive end - we can already see some of the younger players (Parsons and Gross-Matos) start to come into their own, and the weakest links in that unit (Farmer and Scott, but mostly Farmer) are seniors. Donovan Johnson and Garrett Taylor played well yesterday, too. I think Givens and Reid absolutely come back, but I think Miller leaves.

On offense, I think Sanders leaves, which is huge because he’s been fantastic this year. Slade has generally looked good outside of the fumbles, Journey has run hard, and Ford looks like another stud coming in - having five returning OL starters will help a lot in this area. Losing Trace is a major issue, but I’m hopeful that his replacement (hopefully Clifford) won’t be a liability and will grow into a strength as the year goes on. I thought Johnson would leave, but it looks like he’ll return - we’ve seen wide receivers come back after tough junior seasons to be productive as seniors (Hamilton from 2016 to 2017), so I’m hopeful that Johnson is able to put it together and be consistent even if he never becomes the star we thought he’d be. Hamler is a budding all-purpose star, and I’m hopeful that Shorter is able to make an impact once he’s fully healthy. With what we’ve seen of them, the younger wideouts seem to be more consistent than the older guys. The sooner someone steps up to take Polk’s reps, the better we’ll be. Tight end is no longer a concern, and neither is the offensive line - both units have been very strong this season, and I don’t think we’ll lose McGovern or Bates to the draft.

 

[BobPSU92]

What have you done for me lately......hell they turned on Joe.

Joe did nothing to earn our loyalty.

 

[Safety Blitz]

I think PSU should just schedule Pitt for every game next year, kick Pitt’s ass a dozen times, then watch Pitt claim another national championship at the end of the season.
Make every football fan in Pennsylvania happy.

 

[PSU.:.]

If the team has 3 different starting WRs next year that automaticaly makes the offense 5 times better.

 

[BobPSU92]

If the team has 3 different starting WRs next year that automaticaly makes the offense 5 times better.

You underestimate Franklin’s unique ability to make new receivers drop passes.

 

[danvillenit]

A lot will be different next year with PSU and all our opponents. That's college football. We might be a better team and still have to suffer thru another 10-2 type year.

 

[uPBRmeASAP]

If a 6’5” QB can see the field better, he won’t have to scramble. Love Trace. But, throwing from the picket isn’t his strong suit.

Completely disagree. All I’ve seen from Stevens in the pocket is a freelancer so far. It’s by far my biggest worry about him.

McSorley is probably the most instinctive QB we’ve ever had at working the pocket. Guys who don’t have height, usually know how to work the passing lanes better.

 

[83wuzme]

This year is a transition year. No two ways about it. I don’t think the significance of losing the personnel from the end of the sanctions era can be discounted. I think this squad has probably pretty much become removed from the “ Burn the Ships “ mentality that allowed the kind of success we saw in 2016.

 

[bdgan]

Since Pry took over as the DC, we haven’t had one legit NFL starting caliber player in our
front seven. That is going to change soon.

Who are you thinking of? Givens is small. Matis has a chance. Too early to tell about Parsons.

 

[HazletonLion]

Completely disagree. All I’ve seen from Stevens in the pocket is a freelancer so far. It’s by far my biggest worry about him.

McSorley is probably the most instinctive QB we’ve ever had at working the pocket. Guys who don’t have height, usually know how to work the passing lanes better.

Tommy threw a nice ball to PF for the TD. Good touch.

 

[HazletonLion]

Who are you thinking of? Givens is small. Matis has a chance. Too early to tell about Parsons.

Mad dog Matis.

 

[delcoLion]

That is true, but he still does quite well with all of his other strengths and there are many. He lugged it 19 times for 107 yards yesterday and threw for over 200. He might be easily replaced on paper, but not necessarily on the field.

Well I think Trace McSorley is the greatest player on offense in PSU football history. And if he’s not #1, he’s on a list that won’t take long to call the roll.(H/T Bum Phillips)
McS will not be replaced very easily at all.