Bowl Team or Beating PSU

[Knightmancometh]

Which of the following 2 scenarios would you prefer this season:

1. Rutgers wins 6 games and goes to a bowl game. They would defeat NW, Temple, VT, Wagner, MSU and Indiana

OR

2. They go into Happy Valley and beat an undefeated Penn State team, ruining their chances at going to the College Football Playoff. However, in this scenario Rutgers only wins 5 games and does NOT go to a bowl game.

 

[BeantownKnight]

You must have known which one of these scenarios would garner the most votes. I'm sure most fans here want to see substantive improvement this year and, likely, a bowl appearance. Falling short of that just to beat one team is like winning the battle but losing the war.

The grind-it-out improvement of the program, year after year, means that .. eventually .. we would be beating teams like Penn State (or other) - or, at least, playing hard-fought, competitive games against them. So, yeah - I'm voting for #1 .. win (at least) 6 games this year - no matter how they come - and I'd consider that improvement and something to build on for next year.

 

[Knightmancometh]

You must have known which one of these scenarios would garner the most votes. I'm sure most fans here want to see substantive improvement this year and, likely, a bowl appearance. Falling short of that just to beat one team is like winning the battle but losing the war.

The grind-it-out improvement of the program, year after year, means that .. eventually .. we would be beating teams like Penn State (or other) - or, at least, playing hard-fought, competitive games against them. So, yeah - I'm voting for #1 .. win (at least) 6 games this year - no matter how they come - and I'd consider that improvement and something to build on for next year.

I don't disagree with your sentiment and i probably would lean that way but this was just something i was mulling over last night and thought i'd put it out there.

Beating an undefeated PSU team in Beaver Stadium and ruining their chances of going to the playoffs would be so savory and shut a lot national pundits up.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

*28 posts under this new handle. Lol

Beating Pen St this season in their stadium would do more for the program than a low tier bowl.

 

[AntiG]

if we are able to beat Penn State, we're a bowl team basically

 

[newell138]

*28 posts under this new handle. Lol

Beating Pen St this season in their stadium would do more for the program than a low tier bowl.

its probably lil Ragu

 

[Eagleton95.99]

I think the coaches would say the extra practice time means the bowl is better for the program. As a fan I want to beat PSU.

 

[NickRU714]

 

[Local Shill]

The euphoria of seeing our boys beating Sandusky in that shitbox after all these years with everything on the line for them and silencing 107,000 cultists would easily top any slight satisfaction of from playing in a minor bowl game. Rutgers would be the biggest story in college football for a couple of days. It would be right up there with Louisville and the NCAA hoops win over Clemson for me.

 

[DJ Spanky]

This should have been an either/or poll, not allow both options to be selected.

I selected Beat State Penn because, well, they're State Penn. For me I'd rather be 5-7 with a win over them. For the program, though, I think it'd be better to be a bowl team.

 

[MGSA99]

Beat a team we haven't beaten since Reagan was president? Sign me up. We would have mass partying on Easton Ave. for that.

 

[DHajekRC84]

You must have known which one of these scenarios would garner the most votes. I'm sure most fans here want to see substantive improvement this year and, likely, a bowl appearance. Falling short of that just to beat one team is like winning the battle but losing the war.

The grind-it-out improvement of the program, year after year, means that .. eventually .. we would be beating teams like Penn State (or other) - or, at least, playing hard-fought, competitive games against them. So, yeah - I'm voting for #1 .. win (at least) 6 games this year - no matter how they come - and I'd consider that improvement and something to build on for next year.

ah..currently 18-16.

and I voted to beat Penn St.
beating them and getting to 5 wins is also improvement and shutting those *&%(*&%@&^$!&(^$! up would be priceless.

 

[newwavedave1]

I voted Bowl Game. I'm not quite Penn State hater that many on this board are.

 

[Knightmancometh]

This should have been an either/or poll, not allow both options to be selected.

I selected Beat State Penn because, well, they're State Penn. For me I'd rather be 5-7 with a win over them. For the program, though, I think it'd be better to be a bowl team.

It's not? Its my first post in here and i thought thats what i did. I tried to fix it but it won't let me. Lesson learned for next time i guess

 

[RUTGERS95]

beating psu consistently is the key as it changes the long-term recruiting and local media dynamic

bowl games are the battles in the long war, beating psu is midway

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

1st post? LOLz

 

[DJ Spanky]

It's not? Its my first post in here and i thought thats what i did. I tried to fix it but it won't let me. Lesson learned for next time i guess

It's very kludgy and not well worded. I tried to change it, but it would not let me set it back to a single vote. I've put an arrow where you need to set it to 1 in order to make it an either/or type of poll:

 

[ScarletKid2008]

Beating PSU does far more than going to a no name bowl game and beating those teams you mentioned.

And if the scenario is as you described , stopping PSU from going to a playoff. Then that RU win would be the talk of All college football for a week and talk of the area for a year+.

Rutgers needs perception boosters and therefore the win over PSU does far more than squeaking by to 6 wins

 

[DJ Spanky]

1st post? LOLz

I think he meant his first thread.

 

[Knightmancometh]

It's very kludgy and not well worded. I tried to change it, but it would not let me set it back to a single vote. I've put an arrow where you need to set it to 1 in order to make it an either/or type of poll:

Yeah thats what i tried but it wouldn't let me either. I guess that because people already double voted. oh well i'll get it right next time

Thanks

 

[RedTeamUpstream94]

Really good question

I voted for beating Pedd State

But the correct answer is “it depends”

If we go 7-5 (or better!!!) and go to a halfway decent bowl that would be a sign of REAL progress and will mean we beat a few decent teams along the way. Under that scenario I’d take a surprisingly good season (with a loss t PSU)

Or if we go 4-8 (or worse!!) with a fluke win over PSU that win will really be meaningless - a crap team with a fluke win. Big whoop.

But if we are 5-7 or 6-6 (the most likely scenario) it’s a tough call - beat PSU or go to a no-name bowl? I picked PSU under this “most likely” scenario but tough call

 

[RUTGERS95]

Really good question

I voted for beating Pedd State

But the correct answer is “it depends”

If we go 7-5 (or better!!!) and go to a halfway decent bowl that would be a sign of REAL progress and will mean we beat a few decent teams along the way. Under that scenario I’d take a surprisingly good season (with a loss t PSU)

Or if we go 4-8 (or worse!!) with a fluke win over PSU that win will really be meaningless - a crap team with a fluke win. Big whoop.

But if we are 5-7 or 6-6 (the most likely scenario) it’s a tough call - beat PSU or go to a no-name bowl? I picked PSU under this “most likely” scenario but tough call

you're looking at the one night stand here; great but fleeting
you want the long-term win and that is being psu

look at my analogy above, psu is midway and the turning point. Casual fans can't name 5 bowls from last year but they remember the big ones or the ones people talk about and that is Rutgers supplanting PSU in this area. We need perception change, recruiting change etc etc, that starts by winning against psu, wisconsin etc.

 

[Local Shill]

Really good question

I voted for beating Pedd State

But the correct answer is “it depends”

If we go 7-5 (or better!!!) and go to a halfway decent bowl that would be a sign of REAL progress and will mean we beat a few decent teams along the way. Under that scenario I’d take a surprisingly good season (with a loss t PSU)

Or if we go 4-8 (or worse!!) with a fluke win over PSU that win will really be meaningless - a crap team with a fluke win. Big whoop.

But if we are 5-7 or 6-6 (the most likely scenario) it’s a tough call - beat PSU or go to a no-name bowl? I picked PSU under this “most likely” scenario but tough call

C'mon man. No win over that school in football is meaningless since there have been only 2. Except for 2014 we haven't even come remotely close since joinjng the conference. And none of the games between 1989 and 1995 were particularly competitive. It's been too damn long. Now I don't expect this to be the year but it would be enormous. Realistically, let's start with scoring a TD in State College for the first time since joining the Big Ten.

 

[RedTeamUpstream94]

you're looking at the one night stand here; great but fleeting
you want the long-term win and that is being psu

look at my analogy above, psu is midway and the turning point. Casual fans can't name 5 bowls from last year but they remember the big ones or the ones people talk about and that is Rutgers supplanting PSU in this area. We need perception change, recruiting change etc etc, that starts by winning against psu, wisconsin etc.

You make a valid point

 

[RedTeamUpstream94]

C'mon man. No win over that school in football is meaningless since there have been only 2. Except for 2014 we haven't even come remotely close. And none of the games between 1989 and 1995 were particularly competitive. It's been too damn long. Now I don't expect this to be the year but it would be enormous. Realistically, let's start with scoring a TD in State College for the first time since joining the Big Ten.

95 had a similar response to my comment and I don’t disagree with your point. Totally valid - a win over PSU could be more important than a no name bowl. I get it .

Ultimately think the answer could be “it depends” - a 9-3 season with a loss to PSU (I’d take that… would raise even more eyebrows). Conversely a 3-9 with a fluke win over PSU (will just be seen as a fluke)…would that win mean anything?

OP = Good question

 

[mikebal9]

Penn State really does oocupy substantial real estate in the heads of so many posters. Seriously, stop with this.

 

[Knightmancometh]

Penn State really does oocupy substantial real estate in the heads of so many posters. Seriously, stop with this.

Thats what made me think of it in the first place. But it is an interesting question as to what we as a fan base would look at as bigger deal.

I take it you would choose bowl game

 

[rutgersal_rivals139582]

#1 all the way because we get to party

 

[CollegeSenior]

Penn State really does oocupy substantial real estate in the heads of so many posters. Seriously, stop with this.

You wouldn’t be able to find one coach or player on the team who would choose to beat PSU over going to a bowl.

 

[RU#1fan]

If we beat PSU it means we are going to a Bowl anyway.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Casual fans can't name 5 bowls from last year but they remember the big ones or the ones people talk about

Michigan 2014 is a prime example of that.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Realistically, let's start with scoring a TD in State College for the first time since joining the Big Ten.

Jesus, I never realized that, had to confirm that.

09/25/2015 at Penn State L 28-3
11/11/2017 at Penn State L 35-6
11/30/2019 at Penn State L 27-6
11/20/2021 at Penn State L 28-0

Ouch!

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Jesus, I never realized that, had to confirm that.

09/25/2015 at Penn State L 28-3
11/11/2017 at Penn State L 35-6
11/30/2019 at Penn State L 27-6
11/20/2021 at Penn State L 28-0

Ouch!

Pathetic

 

[RedTeamUpstream94]

Penn State really does oocupy substantial real estate in the heads of so many posters. Seriously, stop with this.

Well let’s be real here. Any program/ institution that knowingly gave a child rapist access to their program (which access he used as the bait to attract children to rape them in Pedd Sate showers) is going to attract some strong feelings

I can personally tell you that my “hatred” towards SHU, Cuse and Boston college have faded nearly completely away to nothing. I really don’t pay them any mind and haven’t for years. I mean boeheim is a whiney douche but he retired? Right? Honestly don’t know that’s how little I pay attention to them lol

And while I don’t love certain Big10 programs (mostly due to douche coaches (Iowa BB, Michigan FB), I really don’t actively root against those schools (particularly when playing OCC).

But PSU is in a category all to itself for the atrocities that they allowed to happen there. There’s no statute of limitations on hating those who aided a child rapist.

So yeah, the hatred for PSU is real, WELL deserved and will never go away.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Penn State really does oocupy substantial real estate in the heads of so many posters. Seriously, stop with this.

 

[RUDiddy777]

*28 posts under this new handle. Lol

Beating Pen St this season in their stadium would do more for the program than a low tier bowl.

Bowl game gives us another month of practice. Allows the younger players more coaching which preps them better for the offseason.

 

[RU05]

Bowl game gives us another month of practice. Allows the younger players more coaching which preps them better for the offseason.

Simple, well known thing, but very relevant

 

[RU05]

Think ill go PSU, its just bigger, but If you can guarantee a bowl win then that may flip it.

 

[RUTGERS95]

95 had a similar response to my comment and I don’t disagree with your point. Totally valid - a win over PSU could be more important than a no name bowl. I get it .

Ultimately think the answer could be “it depends” - a 9-3 season with a loss to PSU (I’d take that… would raise even more eyebrows). Conversely a 3-9 with a fluke win over PSU (will just be seen as a fluke)…would that win mean anything?

OP = Good question

true, nothing in a vacuum

 

[robcac26]

Think ill go PSU, its just bigger, but If you can guarantee a bowl win then that may flip it.

Does winning a bowl game actually have any tangible importance? Since the bowl games are designed to be relatively even matchups, it seems like which bowl game you qualify for measures more of an achievement than winning or losing the game. For example, losing in the Orange Bowl is more of an accomplishment than winning the Pinstripe Bowl. This is why I have a hard time getting excited to watch bowl games (other than the playoffs). Since your season ends whether you win or lose, it feels like a bunch of meaningless exhibition games to end the season.