Looking ahead

Calabrin · 2026-09-26T20:19:35-0500

It’s shocking how bad this offense looks without Howard. They lose all of their dimension. No targets. Becht looks like a true freshman that switched to QB from slot receiver.

We’re in huge trouble the rest of the way.

After suffering this loss where the offense accounted for 6 points, we now have to go on the road to Northwestern, who absolutely drubbed Colorado into jelly, and fought Indiana all the way, narrowly losing by a 1-score margin.

Anyone who thinks next week’s game a is a likely win simply is not paying attention.

USC is right out. That’s an L.

Michigan sucks this year, but we won’t beat them on the road.

There’s a very real chance that after week-7, we’re sitting at 3-4 with 0 conference wins.

Purdue and Maryland are the only two “likely wins” for the remainder of the schedule based on what we witnessed today. Minnesota and Rutgers… coin flips.

So, we’re looking at a distinct possibility for a 5-7 season, maybe as “good” as 7-5. But again— it’s all dependent on Howard playing. Peoples needs to be RB1 going forward. No one else needs to see significant playing time except to give Peoples a break.

saturdaysarebetter · 2026-09-26T20:20:56-0500

The second winningest coach in Penn State football history wasn't good enough for you....noooooo.

AvgUser · 2026-09-26T20:23:46-0500

CJF and PSU needed to part ways. No regrets there

DaytonRickster · 2026-09-26T20:30:27-0500

Calabrin said:
It’s shocking how bad this offense looks without Howard. They lose all of their dimension. No targets. Becht looks like a true freshman that switched to QB from slot receiver.

We’re in huge trouble the rest of the way.

After suffering this loss where the offense accounted for 6 points, we now have to go on the road to Northwestern, who absolutely drubbed Colorado into jelly, and fought Indiana all the way, narrowly losing by a 1-score margin.

Anyone who thinks next week’s game a is a likely win simply is not paying attention.

USC is right out. That’s an L.

Michigan sucks this year, but we won’t beat them on the road.

There’s a very real chance that after week-7, we’re sitting at 3-4 with 0 conference wins.

Purdue and Maryland are the only two “likely wins” for the remainder of the schedule based on what we witnessed today. Minnesota and Rutgers… coin flips.

So, we’re looking at a distinct possibility for a 5-7 season, maybe as “good” as 7-5. But again— it’s all dependent on Howard playing. Peoples needs to be RB1 going forward. No one else needs to see significant playing time except to give Peoples a break.

I'm glad it was not televised. It was hard enough listening to the radio broadcast. There is no excuse for this loss. Mouser (OC) is not the answer. Where were the offensive adjustments? Becht melted under the pressure of his first B1G game AT HOME. What will he do on the road?

DukeCorey21 · 2026-09-26T20:31:55-0500

There is no looking forward for Penn State football, it’s over

Efejle · 2026-09-26T20:32:31-0500

Bvillebaron · 2026-09-26T20:36:40-0500

Calabrin said:
It’s shocking how bad this offense looks without Howard. They lose all of their dimension. No targets. Becht looks like a true freshman that switched to QB from slot receiver.

We’re in huge trouble the rest of the way.

After suffering this loss where the offense accounted for 6 points, we now have to go on the road to Northwestern, who absolutely drubbed Colorado into jelly, and fought Indiana all the way, narrowly losing by a 1-score margin.

Anyone who thinks next week’s game a is a likely win simply is not paying attention.

USC is right out. That’s an L.

Michigan sucks this year, but we won’t beat them on the road.

There’s a very real chance that after week-7, we’re sitting at 3-4 with 0 conference wins.

Purdue and Maryland are the only two “likely wins” for the remainder of the schedule based on what we witnessed today. Minnesota and Rutgers… coin flips.

So, we’re looking at a distinct possibility for a 5-7 season, maybe as “good” as 7-5. But again— it’s all dependent on Howard playing. Peoples needs to be RB1 going forward. No one else needs to see significant playing time except to give Peoples a break.

Oh come on not having Howard is not an excuse for this loss.

Blair10 · 2026-09-26T20:43:10-0500

Calabrin said:
It’s shocking how bad this offense looks without Howard. They lose all of their dimension. No targets. Becht looks like a true freshman that switched to QB from slot receiver.

We’re in huge trouble the rest of the way.

After suffering this loss where the offense accounted for 6 points, we now have to go on the road to Northwestern, who absolutely drubbed Colorado into jelly, and fought Indiana all the way, narrowly losing by a 1-score margin.

Anyone who thinks next week’s game a is a likely win simply is not paying attention.

USC is right out. That’s an L.

Michigan sucks this year, but we won’t beat them on the road.

There’s a very real chance that after week-7, we’re sitting at 3-4 with 0 conference wins.

Purdue and Maryland are the only two “likely wins” for the remainder of the schedule based on what we witnessed today. Minnesota and Rutgers… coin flips.

So, we’re looking at a distinct possibility for a 5-7 season, maybe as “good” as 7-5. But again— it’s all dependent on Howard playing. Peoples needs to be RB1 going forward. No one else needs to see significant playing time except to give Peoples a break.

No offense to Peoples, he is definitely just another guy and not The guy. There is no alpha RB stud on the roster. What you see is what they are. It’s called mediocrity. It’s going to take better recruiting results, a portal infusion of top talent, and much more NIL money to get the program in the top tier.

Rocco3 · 2026-09-26T20:46:14-0500

saturdaysarebetter said:
The second winningest coach in Penn State football history wasn't good enough for you....noooooo.

He still sucks so move on. He has a bunch of losses coming too.

christoph · 2026-09-26T20:48:48-0500

The offensive line is not good. Rewatch the blocks they either missed or couldn’t hold. Goodman had some real bad misses. But none of them are very good. Big heavy guys with limited athletic ability.

the d line lacks d ends. We will give up big plays because plays will last too long.

this season in a nutshell

Steelers1 · 2026-09-26T20:54:32-0500

AvgUser said:
CJF and PSU needed to part ways. No regrets there

I keep hearing this, but no one says why?? Franklin wanted to stay, most of the players loved Franklin, he had a GREAT recruiting class lined up, he had just lost in the final four game the year before......... I think James was a victim of his own success. He had us so close to beating OSU, and winning titles that somehow people thought that was easy. We are about to see how hard it is to get that close.

Steelers1 · 2026-09-26T20:56:15-0500

Rocco3 said:
He still sucks so move on. He has a bunch of losses coming too.

Why does he suck? WE fired him and its ok to say that was the wrong move. He is closer to the playoffs then we are and he is at VT. That is all we need to know

Calabrin · 2026-09-26T21:02:58-0500

Bvillebaron said:
Oh come on not having Howard is not an excuse for this loss.

If Howard played, we hold on for the victory.

KingoftheBigTen · 2026-09-26T21:11:14-0500

The similarities between the Steelers and Penn State football are truly amazing. Above average defense, subpar offense, previous head coaches who overstayed their welcome and replaced with new coaches doing their best to imitate their predecessors.

saturdaysarebetter · 2026-09-26T21:15:22-0500

Rocco3 said:
He still sucks so move on. He has a bunch of losses coming too.

He already has more wins at VT than VT had last year and it's his first year there. They don't have unrealistic expectations like Penn State genius fans do.

saturdaysarebetter · 2026-09-26T21:15:52-0500

James Franklin never lost to Wisconsin.....just sayin.....

saturdaysarebetter · 2026-09-26T21:29:24-0500

Rocco3 said:
He still sucks so move on. He has a bunch of losses coming too.

He's already won more games this year than Virginia Tech did all of last year. Their fans don't have ridiculous expectations like Penn State fans do.

ScarletDave · 2026-09-26T21:36:14-0500

Remember to vote this November!

Nittering Nabob · 2026-09-26T22:10:16-0500

ScarletDave said:
Remember to vote this November!

Greg Schiano for President of Rutgres.

Marshall2323 · 2026-09-26T22:16:07-0500

AvgUser said:
CJF and PSU needed to part ways. No regrets there

Give it time. Wisky fired Paul Chryst. Check it out.

Marshall2323 · 2026-09-26T22:18:02-0500

Blair10 said:
No offense to Peoples, he is definitely just another guy and not The guy. There is no alpha RB stud on the roster. What you see is what they are. It’s called mediocrity. It’s going to take better recruiting results, a portal infusion of top talent, and much more NIL money to get the program in the top tier.

I posted this last week. An old saying...if you have 2 QBs you have none. Apply that to RB.

Marshall2323 · 2026-09-26T22:19:37-0500

Rocco3 said:
He still sucks so move on. He has a bunch of losses coming too.

If he sucks PSU has sucked for over 25 years. The records don't lie.

Marshall2323 · 2026-09-26T22:24:12-0500

Steelers1 said:
I keep hearing this, but no one says why?? Franklin wanted to stay, most of the players loved Franklin, he had a GREAT recruiting class lined up, he had just lost in the final four game the year before......... I think James was a victim of his own success. He had us so close to beating OSU, and winning titles that somehow people thought that was easy. We are about to see how hard it is to get that close.

The why can only be answered by digging into what happened between Franklin and Kraft. People here just assumed anyone would be better than Big Game. Well, I ask you, how long until PSUs next Big Game?
How long until excellence at the highest level and the national championship Kraft promised?

CVLion · 2026-09-26T22:24:34-0500

Steelers1 said:
I keep hearing this, but no one says why?? Franklin wanted to stay, most of the players loved Franklin, he had a GREAT recruiting class lined up, he had just lost in the final four game the year before......... I think James was a victim of his own success. He had us so close to beating OSU, and winning titles that somehow people thought that was easy. We are about to see how hard it is to get that close.

I generally supported Franklin, thought he tried hard to do a lot of things right.

During that 3-game skid last year though, I didn’t feel that he looked like he wanted to be here.

Calabrin · 2026-09-26T22:59:39-0500

CVLion said:
I generally supported Franklin, thought he tried hard to do a lot of things right.

During that 3-game skid last year though, I didn’t feel that he looked like he wanted to be here.

Yeah. He became increasingly aloof, and it got to a point where he looked like he not only expected to be fired, but wanted to be.

Last season was indefensible. You can't come out in the pre-season, say that you have the best team and coaching staff that you've ever had, and then dump to an 0-4 UCLA program with no coaches and 2-days to prepare, and then follow that up with dumping to Northwestern.

If that's not fireable offense in terms of performance, then nothing is.

BUFFALO LION · 2026-09-27T00:47:27-0500

AvgUser said:
CJF and PSU needed to part ways. No regrets there

Yep. We needed to go with the Nebraska model. Fire a Head Coach that can recruit and take you to the National Semi-Finals. And replace him with a series of coaches that suck for the next 12 years until you get one who can finally break the drought and take us to the Pop Tarts Bowl.

This is the easiest schedule we have had in years, and it’s already obvious we are suddenly, hopelessly overmatched. What’s changed?

JoePaMajorCFBrecord409Ws · 2026-09-27T04:02:29-0500

Steelers1 said:
I keep hearing this, but no one says why?? Franklin wanted to stay, most of the players loved Franklin, he had a GREAT recruiting class lined up, he had just lost in the final four game the year before......... I think James was a victim of his own success. He had us so close to beating OSU, and winning titles that somehow people thought that was easy. We are about to see how hard it is to get that close.

Well you certainly don't fire him with nothing lined up. All Kraft did with the utterly inane way he handled this is bring Campbell in for the same type of $$$ with a roster that is lightyears inferior to Franklin's while paying this starting lineup the same or more than Franklin's team??? Firing Franklin the way Kraft did harmed PSU immensely (and benefitted VoTech equally immensely).

Kraft could have explored his options behind the scenes for the remainder of the season without firing Franklin and massively harming PSU. This is Professional Football now and Kraft has to be accountable for the decisions he's made - he paid huge $$$ for Campbell and produced bottom of the barrel results. Kraft should be fired immediately according to Kraft's own statements on accountability. Campbell has clearly made equally bad decisions regarding starters in this era of Absolute Unrestricted Free Agency Professional Football - he forces Grunk to leave (who wanted to stay) so he can bring in a downgrade at QB and pay him huge $$$??? Just so Grunk can go to VoTech and help Franklin take a VoTech team that was 3-9 last year and have them start this season 4-0???? Would love to know how much Becht is being paid this season versus what Franklin is paying Grukenmeyer (and again, Gruckenmeyer wanted to stay at PSU and Campbell essentially forced him out the door by paying Becht big $$$ to come over and showed zero interest in keeping Grunk? And Kraft wants to talk about accountability? LMAO. Beyond laughable if it weren't so sad what this empty-suit clown-show has done to my Alma Mater.).

Chumboshifko1 · 2026-09-27T04:20:42-0500

saturdaysarebetter said:
He already has more wins at VT than VT had last year and it's his first year there. They don't have unrealistic expectations like Penn State genius fans do.

A new name, and pollution on every Penn State site you go on.

Bozo.

75Lion · 2026-09-27T06:01:29-0500

JoePaMajorCFBrecord409Ws said:
Well you certainly don't fire him with nothing lined up. All Kraft did with the utterly inane way he handled this is bring Campbell in for the same type of $$$ with a roster that is lightyears inferior to Franklin's while paying this starting lineup the same or more than Franklin's team??? Firing Franklin the way Kraft did harmed PSU immensely (and benefitted VoTech equally immensely).

Kraft could have explored his options behind the scenes for the remainder of the season without firing Franklin and massively harming PSU. This is Professional Football now and Kraft has to be accountable for the decisions he's made - he paid huge $$$ for Campbell and produced bottom of the barrel results. Kraft should be fired immediately according to Kraft's own statements on accountability. Campbell has clearly made equally bad decisions regarding starters in this era of Absolute Unrestricted Free Agency Professional Football - he forces Grunk to leave (who wanted to stay) so he can bring in a downgrade at QB and pay him huge $$$??? Just so Grunk can go to VoTech and help Franklin take a VoTech team that was 3-9 last year and have them start this season 4-0???? Would love to know how much Becht is being paid this season versus what Franklin is paying Grukenmeyer (and again, Gruckenmeyer wanted to stay at PSU and Campbell essentially forced him out the door by paying Becht big $$$ to come over and showed zero interest in keeping Grunk? And Kraft wants to talk about accountability? LMAO. Beyond laughable if it weren't so sad what this empty-suit clown-show has done to my Alma Mater.).

Absolutely agree with you. Grunk was always better than Allar but didn't get the opportunity to play much. He's showing his worth now at VT. PSU is in a world of trouble going forward this year. Was planning on going to the Whiteout against USC. Think I'll stay home....

Chumboshifko1 · 2026-09-27T06:09:21-0500

Steelers1 said:
Why does he suck? WE fired him and its ok to say that was the wrong move. He is closer to the playoffs then we are and he is at VT. That is all we need to know

Franklin was a tird, and had to go.

LionJim · 2026-09-27T06:21:09-0500

saturdaysarebetter said:
The second winningest coach in Penn State football history wasn't good enough for you....noooooo.

Not after last year, no, Franklin wasn’t good enough for Penn State, full stop.

LionJim · 2026-09-27T06:21:40-0500

AvgUser said:
CJF and PSU needed to part ways. No regrets there

Beat me to it.

OhioLion · 2026-09-27T06:28:40-0500

Marshall2323 said:
The why can only be answered by digging into what happened between Franklin and Kraft. People here just assumed anyone would be better than Big Game. Well, I ask you, how long until PSUs next Big Game?
How long until excellence at the highest level and the national championship Kraft promised?

Our next big name was 56% winning in the (no defense) Big 12.
I have a lot of people tell me Campbell has won wherever he goes. He’ll do great at PS. I didn’t do cartwheels when he was hired and reserved a wait and see.
So, I guess I’ll wait and see, but truthfully not excited.

BBHorn86 · 2026-09-27T06:47:54-0500

Efejle said:
7-5.

Get used to it... That will be our record for years to come. Matt Campbell has no sizzle. He would have been a great get in 1983.

BBHorn86 · 2026-09-27T06:49:12-0500

Blair10 said:
No offense to Peoples, he is definitely just another guy and not The guy. There is no alpha RB stud on the roster. What you see is what they are. It’s called mediocrity. It’s going to take better recruiting results, a portal infusion of top talent, and much more NIL money to get the program in the top tier.

That ain't happening. PSU doesn't have the rich uncle that cares like many of the other schools in the conference.

BBHorn86 · 2026-09-27T06:50:49-0500

Rocco3 said:
He still sucks so move on. He has a bunch of losses coming too.

Maybe this season but over the next 5-10 years VT and Miami will own the ACC.

BBHorn86 · 2026-09-27T06:52:18-0500

Steelers1 said:
I keep hearing this, but no one says why?? Franklin wanted to stay, most of the players loved Franklin, he had a GREAT recruiting class lined up, he had just lost in the final four game the year before......... I think James was a victim of his own success. He had us so close to beating OSU, and winning titles that somehow people thought that was easy. We are about to see how hard it is to get that close.

Amen brother! Kraft is the issue. The two revenue sports that in theory are to pay for everything else are an absolute mess.

Marshall2323 · 2026-09-27T06:53:49-0500

OhioLion said:
Our next big name was 56% winning in the (no defense) Big 12.
I have a lot of people tell me Campbell has won wherever he goes. He’ll do great at PS. I didn’t do cartwheels when he was hired and reserved a wait and see.
So, I guess I’ll wait and see, but truthfully not excited.

I think Campbell is a proven coach. He's highly respected in the industry. He's in a tough spot, where resources put us at #7 in the conference and there is a segment of the fanbase that is entitled and delusional. He's also married to an incompetent and devious athletic director.
If he can beat Northwestern the ship could sail on. A loss there could be very damaging. This team needs to win 9 or 10 games. The schedule is more difficult the next two years. Recruiting isn't great ...we lost the 2026 class, thanks to Kraft and 2027 is meh....

Knickslions69 · 2026-09-27T07:14:19-0500

saturdaysarebetter said:
James Franklin never lost to Wisconsin.....just sayin.....

Ya he only lost to a terrible UCLA team then followed it up with a loss to northwestern with as he said the best team ever. Hes rightfully gone and it’s time to move on. It’s funny you waited until a loss to start posting your nonsense again like you always do.

kgilbert78 · 2026-09-27T07:17:02-0500

BBHorn86 said:
That ain't happening. PSU doesn't have the rich uncle that cares like many of the other schools in the conference.

Or being in or near a major city for sponsorship/NIL $$$. We're so used to thinking of Columbus as a "cowtown", for example, and forget that it's the 14th or 15th largest city in the country with major business HQs like Nationwide and Wendy's (and Scotts and Honda US nearby). Chase Bank has a major presence too. That helps propel NIL dollars for tOSU. Ditto Texas--Austin is a lot bigger than most folks think and is in the same range as Columbus.

Looking ahead

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

Junior

Redshirt

Sophomore

Sophomore

All-Conference

Sophomore

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

Heisman

All-Conference

All-American

All-American

All-American

All-American

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

Redshirt

All-Conference

Heisman

Heisman

All-Conference

Junior

Junior

Junior

Junior

All-American

All-Conference

All-Conference