Don't get me wrong - the offense choked away a 17 point lead and a QB that threw three INTs. Regardless of what I'm about to post, PSU should've won that game. Terrible offensive game plan (stage might be too big for Mouser, by the way) and our HC turtled into a way-too conservative decision maker down the stretch.
BUT, even before Franklin was fired, I think everyone knew '26 would be a rebuilding year because we had gone ALL IN on '25 being the year - NIL, retention, transfers, etc. Even if Franklin was here still, everybody knew the '26 roster was not going to be BIG championship worthy nor playoff bound.
Now, throw in that Franklin WAS fired and took half of a recruiting class and 12 players from an already graduation-decimated roster. So now Campbell is left with NO '26 class. 40+ players transferred OUT. His current '27 commit list isn't horrible, but wasn't backed by significant NIL because of the stadium renovation. So he brings in 24 transfers from an 8-4 ISU team from the BIG12. Becht, Brahmer, Eskildsen, Hansen, Bacon, etc. just don't have the top end talent you need to make a core of an elite squad. Most of these players seem to be a drop off from the talent levels at PSU from the last 3-4 years. Throw in our best pass rusher is out for the year and our star WR (28 yards per touch) is out 4-6 weeks.
So is it all that surprising with all that turnover that this team stinks? Is it surprising that this team lacks talent at key positions?
We have a highly touted QB committed in '28. And seemingly more NIL to work with, once the stadium renovation finishes up - at least that's what everyone thinks is going to happen. This just screams 2-3 year rebuild IMO. The thought of winning now, with hindsight, actually seems ludicrous given the circumstances of the last 12 months. Give Campbell time.
Now Kraft on the other hand, he may not be given the benefit of the doubt.
BUT, even before Franklin was fired, I think everyone knew '26 would be a rebuilding year because we had gone ALL IN on '25 being the year - NIL, retention, transfers, etc. Even if Franklin was here still, everybody knew the '26 roster was not going to be BIG championship worthy nor playoff bound.
Now, throw in that Franklin WAS fired and took half of a recruiting class and 12 players from an already graduation-decimated roster. So now Campbell is left with NO '26 class. 40+ players transferred OUT. His current '27 commit list isn't horrible, but wasn't backed by significant NIL because of the stadium renovation. So he brings in 24 transfers from an 8-4 ISU team from the BIG12. Becht, Brahmer, Eskildsen, Hansen, Bacon, etc. just don't have the top end talent you need to make a core of an elite squad. Most of these players seem to be a drop off from the talent levels at PSU from the last 3-4 years. Throw in our best pass rusher is out for the year and our star WR (28 yards per touch) is out 4-6 weeks.
So is it all that surprising with all that turnover that this team stinks? Is it surprising that this team lacks talent at key positions?
We have a highly touted QB committed in '28. And seemingly more NIL to work with, once the stadium renovation finishes up - at least that's what everyone thinks is going to happen. This just screams 2-3 year rebuild IMO. The thought of winning now, with hindsight, actually seems ludicrous given the circumstances of the last 12 months. Give Campbell time.
Now Kraft on the other hand, he may not be given the benefit of the doubt.
