Considering our settling in period, and "the other guys", as well as relative talent and coaching prowess....RANK the following September schedule of teams from Toughest (1) to weakest ( 5.)
And YES, we have five games in Sept, so it could be a challenge, with the ups and downs of a new QB and OL - not to mention the dreaded and unforseen Injury Bug potential.
Schedule:
WV #4 - I truly expect some 1st half surprises/shocks in this game, because its the opener for both teams. So was tempted to place this game higher in the Toughness category. We will likely have our share of trials, as CJF etal figure out the best combination of players along the OL and at WR. And, after all, it will be DA's FIRST start. Plus our STs are not yet established. Sometime in the 3rd qtr DA will start to show his arm strength and accuracy. Too many weapons start to pop after getting over their jitters. PSU Big. *
Delaware #5 This is the kind of team that would keep things close, against a traditional, uninspiring PSU O. But this wont be a traditional PSU O. Instead, explosive plays early will break it open. Our run game excels, DA continues to identify and find his new WRs, and the STs show steady improvement. Meanwhile, the mighty PSU D dominates, in an impressive team showing.
@ IL #1 Uh oh. Despite major player turnover, Coach B has knocked us off before, with a heavy run game up the gut ( our weakness?) We'll find out if he can do it again. In a thriller,
PSU gets the W with a 4th qtr comeback in Champaign, led by the OL finding itself and the RBs finally finding a few big holes, in a
relatively low scoring contest. *
IA #2 A great D can stop a great O. And we are not yet a great O. But IA has an incredible record of forcing turnovers and converting them into TDs. But in the final analysis, , the Home Field advantage helps us gut out a tough W, which might require assistance from an unexpected source - or two. The PSU D will have to play as well as - or better than the Mighty IA D. *
@NW #3 They gave us a game last year (in the rain, at our place) with their worst team in ages. NW tends to out-coach us more often than they should - especially at home - , based on talent levels. So it looks like a tough first half with NW keeping our run game in check, and putting pressure on DA..... until DA finds his long ball touch with his improving WRs. *
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* Keep an eye on the margins of victory in these games. This very talented team will be looking to find itself early on, which will require the retooled and vastly improved OL to pass block well, and open a few good holes for its talented RBs. How fast can the WR corps comes together to complement its great duo at RB,
how often DA gets hit, and avoiding T/Os will be crucial in letting him get comfortable and execute his playbook.
This team certainly has Top Ten potential. This D certainly has Top Ten potential. STs look good on paper but have yet to do it in a game.
And until late last year, the PSU coaching staff has left something to be desired. Is this the year it all comes together? Fasten your seat-belts! We go into 2023 with massive optimism. There WILL be bumps along the way. But for the first time in many years, we could go into the OSU and UM games with a good shot at upsetting both those teams.
Or, might it be one year too early? Only time will tell.
And YES, we have five games in Sept, so it could be a challenge, with the ups and downs of a new QB and OL - not to mention the dreaded and unforseen Injury Bug potential.
Schedule:
WV #4 - I truly expect some 1st half surprises/shocks in this game, because its the opener for both teams. So was tempted to place this game higher in the Toughness category. We will likely have our share of trials, as CJF etal figure out the best combination of players along the OL and at WR. And, after all, it will be DA's FIRST start. Plus our STs are not yet established. Sometime in the 3rd qtr DA will start to show his arm strength and accuracy. Too many weapons start to pop after getting over their jitters. PSU Big. *
Delaware #5 This is the kind of team that would keep things close, against a traditional, uninspiring PSU O. But this wont be a traditional PSU O. Instead, explosive plays early will break it open. Our run game excels, DA continues to identify and find his new WRs, and the STs show steady improvement. Meanwhile, the mighty PSU D dominates, in an impressive team showing.
@ IL #1 Uh oh. Despite major player turnover, Coach B has knocked us off before, with a heavy run game up the gut ( our weakness?) We'll find out if he can do it again. In a thriller,
PSU gets the W with a 4th qtr comeback in Champaign, led by the OL finding itself and the RBs finally finding a few big holes, in a
relatively low scoring contest. *
IA #2 A great D can stop a great O. And we are not yet a great O. But IA has an incredible record of forcing turnovers and converting them into TDs. But in the final analysis, , the Home Field advantage helps us gut out a tough W, which might require assistance from an unexpected source - or two. The PSU D will have to play as well as - or better than the Mighty IA D. *
@NW #3 They gave us a game last year (in the rain, at our place) with their worst team in ages. NW tends to out-coach us more often than they should - especially at home - , based on talent levels. So it looks like a tough first half with NW keeping our run game in check, and putting pressure on DA..... until DA finds his long ball touch with his improving WRs. *
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Keep an eye on the margins of victory in these games. This very talented team will be looking to find itself early on, which will require the retooled and vastly improved OL to pass block well, and open a few good holes for its talented RBs. How fast can the WR corps comes together to complement its great duo at RB,
how often DA gets hit, and avoiding T/Os will be crucial in letting him get comfortable and execute his playbook.
This team certainly has Top Ten potential. This D certainly has Top Ten potential. STs look good on paper but have yet to do it in a game.
And until late last year, the PSU coaching staff has left something to be desired. Is this the year it all comes together? Fasten your seat-belts! We go into 2023 with massive optimism. There WILL be bumps along the way. But for the first time in many years, we could go into the OSU and UM games with a good shot at upsetting both those teams.
Or, might it be one year too early? Only time will tell.
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