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College Fun

Penn State's D fell apart but teams learned back in week 3 or 4 (can't recall) how to shut down the running game. Penn State stuck with it and barely beat teams until their bye week. They came out against Michigan and seemed to have figured out how to win with their O again by passing the damn ball to open the run.

Against Ohio State, they reverted back to way too much delayed option handoffs that haven't worked since early in the season. They needed the quick passes and even some deep passes to move the ball and open the run. They did that a few times against OSU and MSU and it worked but then back to the delayed bullshit where there were literally 3+ defensive players 2 to 4 yards in the backfield (usually totally free) by the time Barkley got the ball. As good as he is, he can't be met with multiple defensive players the moment he touches the ball.

The passing game, more quick runs and even more of a pro-style offense would have suited them much better but they refused to adapt. Oh, and you're not going to beat many good teams on the road when your QB throws 3 interceptions. So, now they are a middle of the pack team, at best.
 
Michigan State looked coached up and I suspect PSU was down in the dumps a bit after last week's game. Field conditions probably neutralized Barkley's effectiveness a little bit and McSorley didn't look very good. After the score of the Michigan game, I would have expected PSU to beat MSU pretty soundly, but Michigan played them pretty tough for at least a half after getting down 14 within the first few minutes. Lewerke looked good yesterday.

I can't believe OSU got pounded like they did.

Every game is different.
 
PSU had to deal with blowing the OSU game a 3+ hour weather delay and crappy field conditions. However a good team should be able to overcome that especially when things are falling your way with OSU getting pounded. Franklin seemed to pass the blame to the players saying they couldn't handle the distractions. Shouldn't it be his job to make sure they are ready? I did like seeing him chase the player down to shake hands at the end, but PSU blew the Rose bowl, the game against OSU this year, and the MSU game now. Needs to step it up in big games
 
As with the Steelers, play calling has nothing to do with distractions. It has everything to do with coaching. Play calling was a huge reason Penn State lost last week and this week.
 
goes by conference record then head to head
 
Penn State made too many mistakes. They looked good early and then after the long delay they were just off. MIssed throws, dropped balls, penalties. They gave it away.

Also 2 weeks in a row PSU faced a QB playing way over his head. The MSU QB was threading needles. Won't be surprised if he goes back to normal and MSU gets curbstomped next week.

Penn State's OL is a problem. Every team has the same gameplan. Take away Barkley and force PSU to pass. Ohio State's DL was so good that they were able to stuff Barkley without blitzing. It shows how great Barkley is that he is still a huge factor in games due to his kick returns and receiving ability even is a defense is stuffing the run.

Franklin has done a great job recruiting. The only issue is that OL takes time to develop. Very few OL, even the 4 and 5 star guys, are ready to play early. Most of them need a few years in the weight room along with learning technique. PSU does have some top talents, they just aren't ready yet.

Despite the OL being a weakness this year, it's still better than last year and it will be better next year. One of the big differences this year is the loss of Godwin at WR. He was so clutch. That gave PSU 3 legit weapons in Godwin, Barkley and the TE Gesicki.

The WRs have been hit or miss. They have talent but make too many mistakes. Dropped passes alone probably cost the MSU game.

It's still a great season overall and they will likely end up 10-2 with a good bowl game.
 
How long until they can expand this field?
8 teams=big 5 conference champs automatic bids
Then the ND/MW/MAC/SBLT champ if ranked top 8, then 2 at large.....

Then on to 16 (like they already do at the other tiers!)


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
ND/Miami is the big game this week. I don't think the Canes are quite there yet, but Richt is getting the South Florida kids to stay home. The U will soon be challenging Bama for supremacy in college football. Glad it's happening, it's always more fun when there's a bad guy running loose.
 
tapeANaspirin2it said:
Franklin has done a great job recruiting. The only issue is that OL takes time to develop. Very few OL, even the 4 and 5 star guys, are ready to play early. Most of them need a few years in the weight room along with learning technique. PSU does have some top talents, they just aren't ready yet.
Click to expand...

Cant put my finger on it. What is it that i dont like about franklin. Idk why i just dont.
 
MTC said:
If my Dawgs can best your Tide in what looks to be the matchup in ATL.
I'll be confident. Chubb, Michel and Swift are very capable backs.
Alabama's defense may be the wall though.

As good as the win against Notre Dame has looked. I'm not sold on Jake Fromm. I have a Cinderella strike midnight feeling :/
Click to expand...

I just didn't want to say any of that...

I don't need to bang my Bama drum every year - I stand by our defense and I know what they can do...

We shall see...
 
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Black & Gold Bleeder said:
Cant put my finger on it. What is it that i dont like about franklin. Idk why i just dont.
Click to expand...

I know exactly what you're saying. He comes off as fake or slimy to me and it's not just because he coaches at Penn State. I liked Paterno and O'Brien as football coaches.
 
Steelerfreak said:
How long until they can expand this field?
8 teams=big 5 conference champs automatic bids
Then the ND/MW/MAC/SBLT champ if ranked top 8, then 2 at large.....

Then on to 16 (like they already do at the other tiers!)


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
Click to expand...


I figure it expands to 8 a year after either the SEC or Big Ten gets left out.

It should absolutely be 8 teams so you can have the 5 Champs plus 3 wildcards. As you mentioned, you give an automatic bid to a small conference if they are ranked high enough then 2 more wildcards.

I think 12 would be the max before you start taking away from the regular season. College basketball regular season is nearly meaningless for most teams. There are over 300 Div 1 basketball teams. The top teams know they’ll get in. The bottom teams know they won’t. The season is meaningful for about 20 "bubble" teams.

College football has the best regular season of any sport. It is the most meaningful. Expand the playoff too much and you lose that.
 
I'm hoping for the Bulldogs to win it. Love the run.

if not, Wisconsin, love the run.

I do know Wisc is not gonna make championship game. QB sucks and the D isn't that great.
 
tapeANaspirin2it said:
I figure it expands to 8 a year after either the SEC or Big Ten gets left out.

It should absolutely be 8 teams so you can have the 5 Champs plus 3 wildcards. As you mentioned, you give an automatic bid to a small conference if they are ranked high enough then 2 more wildcards.

I think 12 would be the max before you start taking away from the regular season. College basketball regular season is nearly meaningless for most teams. There are over 300 Div 1 basketball teams. The top teams know they’ll get in. The bottom teams know they won’t. The season is meaningful for about 20 "bubble" teams.

College football has the best regular season of any sport. It is the most meaningful. Expand the playoff too much and you lose that.
Click to expand...

I'm all for a 12 team playoff, with the conference champions getting automatic bids and then some wild cards. Plus, they HAVE to tell ND they must join a conference. Enough with kissing ND's ***, they're NOT SPECIAL!
 
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