Incoming: Elite Recruiting Class for Penn State University

[ChiTownLionPSU]

Football is a game of inches.

Almost every team that has won a national championship has benefited from some minor miracles along the way, including JoePa in 1982. The margin is so damn thin.

This year, the bounces did not go our way. We were about to blow out Iowa when our QB went down. We pretty much out-played Ohio State on the road with lower-rated recruiting classes, as we always do. We beat Michigan in back-to-back years and today was a coin-toss and so was *gasp* Illinois (ILL later went on the road and beat a Top 20 Minnesota team, but we still should've throttled them).

Again, football is a game of inches and we're right there. CJF has assembled an awesome staff at every position, the entire community is in complete alignment, we're investing big-time in our facilities, our kids are going to class, they're graduating and staying out of trouble... furthermore, who on earth would be an upgrade from James Franklin at Penn State?

IMO, the difference between victory and defeat today was DE David Ojabo. Man, that kid should've followed Jayson Oweh to Penn State after we sent him to the Ravens in the 1st round of the NFL Draft. Well, guess what. We're not signing any backup plans in this recruiting class. We're getting nothing but thoroughbred studs, and they all love each other. They're bonded. They embrace The Penn State Way. They share James Franklin's vision for the future... and I can't wait to see what happens now that we have premium-grade ballers at every single position. We've seen signs that OSU will crack with a bunch of discipline kids (perhaps like Miami under Larry Coker?) and therein lies the opportunity to run this conference as we were always supposed to do since 1993.

No matter what happens, Penn State has more access to more talent than anyone else in the Big Ten. All we gotta do is wait for the wheels to get wobbly at OSU and we'll be in position to clean up after that. Meanwhile, everyone else will be playing musical chairs with their coaches, but we'll actually be in a position to pounce.

 

[91Joe95]

It's not the talent level I'm concerned about.

 

[ChiTownLionPSU]

 

[BobPSU92]

I thought “F*ck us” rules the day.

 

[psupride1997]

2018 class was led by Ricky Slade and Justin Shorter….annnnnd….

 

[ChiTownLionPSU]

It's not the talent level I'm concerned about.

I get it. I get it.

Think about 1982 without that catch against Nebraska.
Think about 1986 if Testaverde's pass went for a TD instead of a pick by Pete Giftopolous.
Think about 1994 if a single thing went wrong in that final drive at Illinois.
Think about 2002 without all of those horribly blown calls by the old-guard referines vs Iowa, Michigan, etc.
Think about 2005 at Michigan which might've been the greatest disgrace of all time.

There are hundreds of examples, but all championship-caliber teams have one thing in common -- they remain competitive in all games which allows them a chance to capitalize on those small windows of opportunity to win the game. James Franklin has us right there. We just need another 1% push to get over the hump. That's literally it.

 

[Thorndike2021]

Love your ardor, ChiTown!

I hope you're right. I don't see it happening, but I hope you're right and I'm wrong.

Me, I'm lowering my expectations. It is clear to me that losing football games has become acceptable at Penn State. Why should I continue to wring my hands over it while people making millions fail over and over and are not held accountable?

I will continue to root for the kids. Many of them use football as a way out of really bad neighborhoods and family histories on their way to building new and better lives for themselves and their families. This is important. More important than winning actually.

 

[Karl_Racki]

and the coaching will still be a D class so, plus this class isn't here yet. Already seeing Allen is visiting FSU.

 

[MacNit]

Football is a game of inches.

Almost every team that has won a national championship has benefited from some minor miracles along the way, including JoePa in 1982. The margin is so damn thin.

This year, the bounces did not go our way. We were about to blow out Iowa when our QB went down. We pretty much out-played Ohio State on the road with lower-rated recruiting classes, as we always do. We beat Michigan in back-to-back years and today was a coin-toss and so was *gasp* Illinois (ILL later went on the road and beat a Top 20 Minnesota team, but we still should've throttled them).

Again, football is a game of inches and we're right there. CJF has assembled an awesome staff at every position, the entire community is in complete alignment, we're investing big-time in our facilities, our kids are going to class, they're graduating and staying out of trouble... furthermore, who on earth would be an upgrade from James Franklin at Penn State?

IMO, the difference between victory and defeat today was DE David Ojabo. Man, that kid should've followed Jayson Oweh to Penn State after we sent him to the Ravens in the 1st round of the NFL Draft. Well, guess what. We're not signing any backup plans in this recruiting class. We're getting nothing but thoroughbred studs, and they all love each other. They're bonded. They embrace The Penn State Way. They share James Franklin's vision for the future... and I can't wait to see what happens now that we have premium-grade ballers at every single position. We've seen signs that OSU will crack with a bunch of discipline kids (perhaps like Miami under Larry Coker?) and therein lies the opportunity to run this conference as we were always supposed to do since 1993.

No matter what happens, Penn State has more access to more talent than anyone else in the Big Ten. All we gotta do is wait for the wheels to get wobbly at OSU and we'll be in position to clean up after that. Meanwhile, everyone else will be playing musical chairs with their coaches, but we'll actually be in a position to pounce.

This team is soft. It has plenty enough talent. But we are getting pushed around in thevtrenches. And that spells trouble. Toughest player in team is Brisker. Think about what that says.

 

[NEPA Lion]

2018 class was led by Ricky Slade and Justin Shorter….annnnnd….

Ron Powlus was supposed to win 2 Heisman's

 

[FK3JM]

This team is soft. It has plenty enough talent. But we are getting pushed around in thevtrenches. And that spells trouble. Toughest player in team is Brisker. Think about what that says.

There are some bad asses on the team - ebiketie, luketa, brooks, most of the secondary is aggressive except for TCF. Dotson, Washington, Clifford.
Other than the O-line, I don’t think the team is soft.

poor tackling by #12.
Weak blocking by #79 and #53.
terrible hands by #10 and #13
And worst of all - an arrogant buffoon for a coach

 

[WestSideLion]

This team is soft. It has plenty enough talent. But we are getting pushed around in thevtrenches. And that spells trouble. Toughest player in team is Brisker. Think about what that says.

It was men vs boys out there at clutch time. And the big difference was on the sideline and in the booth for Michigan.

 

[blion72]

2018 class was led by Ricky Slade and Justin Shorter….annnnnd….

the 2018 class was a good one, but you are right, some did not pan out or are now gone.

hopefully, the play on the field right now does not impact the ultimate class that signs.

 

[Zekestone]

How long before fans stop showing up?

1. This program is barely above .500 over the last 2 years.
2. It’s possible this recruiting class falls apart. Also - we will continue to wait for past classes to develop which hasn’t happened. Why should we believe this one will reach its potential?
3. Franklin is a bad game day coach. This has been a constant. Unlikely to improve. What‘s worse is he’s arrogant about his coaching decisions.
4. The program is the fourth best in the big 10 east, with a downward trajectory. Ever team ahead seems to be getting better.

 

[canuckhal]

How long before fans stop showing up?

1. This program is barely above .500 over the last 2 years.
2. It’s possible this recruiting class falls apart. Also - we will continue to wait for past classes to develop which hasn’t happened. Why should we believe this one will reach its potential?
3. Franklin is a bad game day coach. This has been a constant. Unlikely to improve. What‘s worse is he’s arrogant about his coaching decisions.
4. The program is the fourth best in the big 10 east, with a downward trajectory. Ever team ahead seems to be getting better.

Fans either didn't show up today or left early. Lots of empty seats.

 

[Psu00]

I get it. I get it.

Think about 1982 without that catch against Nebraska.
Think about 1986 if Testaverde's pass went for a TD instead of a pick by Pete Giftopolous.
Think about 1994 if a single thing went wrong in that final drive at Illinois.
Think about 2002 without all of those horribly blown calls by the old-guard referines vs Iowa, Michigan, etc.
Think about 2005 at Michigan which might've been the greatest disgrace of all time.

There are hundreds of examples, but all championship-caliber teams have one thing in common -- they remain competitive in all games which allows them a chance to capitalize on those small windows of opportunity to win the game. James Franklin has us right there. We just need another 1% push to get over the hump. That's literally it.

We usually see eye to eye ChiTown, but on this I have to respectfully disagree. The teams in 82, 86, and 94 were playing for national titles. The current PSU teams are not and, IMO, are not close in any way. This team is far from being ‘right there’ and they seem to be going backward the past few years.

EDIT- ESPN ticker is now saying this is Penn State’s 9th straight loss against AP top 10 teams under Franklin.

 

[MaconNitt]

Football is a game of inches.

Almost every team that has won a national championship has benefited from some minor miracles along the way, including JoePa in 1982. The margin is so damn thin.

This year, the bounces did not go our way. We were about to blow out Iowa when our QB went down. We pretty much out-played Ohio State on the road with lower-rated recruiting classes, as we always do. We beat Michigan in back-to-back years and today was a coin-toss and so was *gasp* Illinois (ILL later went on the road and beat a Top 20 Minnesota team, but we still should've throttled them).

Again, football is a game of inches and we're right there. CJF has assembled an awesome staff at every position, the entire community is in complete alignment, we're investing big-time in our facilities, our kids are going to class, they're graduating and staying out of trouble... furthermore, who on earth would be an upgrade from James Franklin at Penn State?

IMO, the difference between victory and defeat today was DE David Ojabo. Man, that kid should've followed Jayson Oweh to Penn State after we sent him to the Ravens in the 1st round of the NFL Draft. Well, guess what. We're not signing any backup plans in this recruiting class. We're getting nothing but thoroughbred studs, and they all love each other. They're bonded. They embrace The Penn State Way. They share James Franklin's vision for the future... and I can't wait to see what happens now that we have premium-grade ballers at every single position. We've seen signs that OSU will crack with a bunch of discipline kids (perhaps like Miami under Larry Coker?) and therein lies the opportunity to run this conference as we were always supposed to do since 1993.

No matter what happens, Penn State has more access to more talent than anyone else in the Big Ten. All we gotta do is wait for the wheels to get wobbly at OSU and we'll be in position to clean up after that. Meanwhile, everyone else will be playing musical chairs with their coaches, but we'll actually be in a position to pounce.

haven't you learned by now that when we lose it's the coaches fault and when we win it is in spite of the coaches.

injuries don't matter, players dropping passes, missing blocks, throwing bad passes to open receivers, missing tackles, committing bad penalties to end drives on O or extending drives on D, hitting uprights on field goal tries is poor player development by our coaches.

we as fans deserve better, we should win a natty every year

losing to Illinois was on the coaches not preparing a game plan for Roberson especially with a bye week.

I thought the game plan today was great sans the fake field goal play in the first quarter. poor execution and settling for a fg instead of getting a td when we had momentum after the tying touchdown and successful 2 point conversion was the difference today.

 

[psupride1997]

Fans either didn't show up today or left early. Lots of empty seats.

McDonough made a point to mention it during the broadcast. Said a ton of people had left by the beginning of the 4th quarter. And with this kind of product, who can blame them?

Can anyone honestly say they’ve had FUN watching this team this year? Blech.

 

[Nitt1300]

our fans are soft, not the team

say what you will, this team hasn't quit

 

[donaldfair71]

It's not the talent level I'm concerned about.

 

[donaldfair71]

I get it. I get it.

Think about 1982 without that catch against Nebraska.
Think about 1986 if Testaverde's pass went for a TD instead of a pick by Pete Giftopolous.
Think about 1994 if a single thing went wrong in that final drive at Illinois.
Think about 2002 without all of those horribly blown calls by the old-guard referines vs Iowa, Michigan, etc.
Think about 2005 at Michigan which might've been the greatest disgrace of all time.

There are hundreds of examples, but all championship-caliber teams have one thing in common -- they remain competitive in all games which allows them a chance to capitalize on those small windows of opportunity to win the game. James Franklin has us right there. We just need another 1% push to get over the hump. That's literally it.

Think about 2021, imagine how bad Illinois beats us if they ever complete that elusive 6th pass in regulation.

 

[BW Lion]

Disciplined, well coached football teams shouldn’t have to resort to gimmick plays or rely on lucky breaks for success.

I wish I could share your enthusiasm over a 7-5 or perhaps 6-6 season in a non-rebuilding year.

 

[91Joe95]

I get it. I get it.

Think about 1982 without that catch against Nebraska.
Think about 1986 if Testaverde's pass went for a TD instead of a pick by Pete Giftopolous.
Think about 1994 if a single thing went wrong in that final drive at Illinois.
Think about 2002 without all of those horribly blown calls by the old-guard referines vs Iowa, Michigan, etc.
Think about 2005 at Michigan which might've been the greatest disgrace of all time.

There are hundreds of examples, but all championship-caliber teams have one thing in common -- they remain competitive in all games which allows them a chance to capitalize on those small windows of opportunity to win the game. James Franklin has us right there. We just need another 1% push to get over the hump. That's literally it.

I happen to think this team is pretty close, I just don't think a few true freshmen are the difference. I think there is a structural problem with the offense. I happen to think a good short yardage package wins that game yesterday. This team displayed one earlier in the season, and it has simply disappeared. At the end of the game, Lee, who had been very effective, ceded carries to Clifford, who was very banged up. That's not a talent shortcoming on the team. I don't want to get into any other play calls, I've said my peace on those. The kids are playing hard, they had the talent to win the game, and several other this season.

 

[ManxomeLion]

Appreciate your optimism. I do think the line is fine in these close losses.
No such thing as a perfect player or perfect game. I fully expect mistakes and even losses.

A coach's responsibility is to maximize the potential of their players, leverage their strengths, mitigate their shortcomings.
Franklin has proven to be a great leader, communicator, motivator and recruiter. He's built a great team culture which isn't easy.

On the other hand he seems to struggle with game day decisions and systemic issues with things like the run game and oline have not shown any improvement over the course of the season.

 

[EddyS]

I sure hope they all sign.

 

[Lion Backer]

It seems that the offensive philosophy is to light up the scoreboard with big chunk yardage plays. Apparently this is not a sound philosophy for in-game management. While there were times I’d get frustrated with JoePa, he would always take the points available to him. He also would punt the ball at the 50 yard line or the opponent’s 40 yard line and trust the D to hold them or get a a turnover. It wasn’t flashy, but in the end PSU would win. Perhaps we need less attempts at flashiness and knee-jerk decisions and more emphasis on a coherent game plan.

 

[MaconNitt]

McDonough made a point to mention it during the broadcast. Said a ton of people had left by the beginning of the 4th quarter. And with this kind of product, who can blame them?

Can anyone honestly say they’ve had FUN watching this team this year? Blech.

I had a blast in Madison, Auburn at home for the white out. 2 games that many predicted we would lose.

 

[GregInPitt]

the 2018 class was a good one, but you are right, some did not pan out or are now gone.

hopefully, the play on the field right now does not impact the ultimate class that signs.

Yep, hope the 2022 commits look at this as a chance to play early.

But then we have to hope that Franklin actually plays them early......

 

[Alphalion75]

Wait....did I just read that Beaver Stadium was not at full capacity for the Michigan game? We were playing a top 10 BIG rival and there were empty seats in the stadium?

 

[PSUFTG]

Wait....did I just read that Beaver Stadium was not at full capacity for the Michigan game? We were playing a top 10 BIG rival and there were empty seats in the stadium?

There are always empty seats. Some games more than others. When you are 6-3 and the weather forecast is bad, there are a lot of empty seats. For what it's worth, I, personally, was offered seats, for free, from at least 4 or 5 different people. Near game time plenty of tickets were available to anyone who wanted them.

I do not know what announced attendance was, Penn State probably said it was a sellout. From what I could see, I was actually kind of surprised there were as many in the stadium as there were. Aside from the end zones, it looked pretty full. Next week, unless the weather is unseasonably nice, will probably be quite a different story.

 

[Leothelion]

"We've seen signs that OSU will crack with a bunch of discipline kids (perhaps like Miami under Larry Coker?".
Who are these supposed problems on their team? Day hasn't lost a game in the B1G going on 3 seasons now so it seems like hoping this will happen rather than anything based on reality.

 

[MacNit]

Ron Powlus was supposed to win 2 Heisman's

4

 

[MacNit]

our fans are soft, not the team

say what you will, this team hasn't quit

The team has not quit. But the OLine is very soft. And this team has one playmaker. One.

 

[MaconNitt]

There are always empty seats. Some games more than others. When you are 6-3 and the weather forecast is bad, there are a lot of empty seats. For what it's worth, I, personally, was offered seats, for free, from at least 4 or 5 different people. Near game time plenty of tickets were available to anyone who wanted them.

I do not know what announced attendance was, Penn State probably said it was a sellout. From what I could see, I was actually kind of surprised there were as many in the stadium as there were. Aside from the end zones, it looked pretty full. Next week, unless the weather is unseasonably nice, will probably be quite a different story.

View attachment 160310

Fair weather fans

 

[PSUFTG]

Fair weather fans

Maybe. Ohio State had 30,000 or so no-shows for their game against Akron. Rationale put forward was that it was too hot out.

 

[PSUFTG]

The team has not quit. But the OLine is very soft. And this team has one playmaker. One.

Sometimes a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Look at the 5 Penn State offensive linemen, and the 4 Michigan defensive lineman.

3 Penn State offensive linemen laying on the ground, the other 2 turned around looking at the carnage about to occur behind them, all 4 Michigan defensive linemen running unabated at Clifford.

All of the Penn State linemen are Juniors or Seniors, 4 of them were very highly recruited 4 star recruits, the other is a grad-transfer.

This was not a screen pass.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FEMDJ0mXMAE7Ttx?format=jpg&name=large

 

[Got GSPs]

College football is primarily a talent acquisition game. This looks like Penn State may be ready to compete with the big boys going forward.

 

[FJ]

Sometimes a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Look at the 5 Penn State offensive linemen, and the 4 Michigan defensive lineman.

3 Penn State offensive linemen laying on the ground, the other 2 turned around looking at the carnage about to occur behind them, all 4 Michigan defensive linemen running unabated at Clifford.

All of the Penn State linemen are Juniors or Seniors, 4 of them were very highly recruited 4 star recruits, the other is a grad-transfer.

This was not a screen pass.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FEMDJ0mXMAE7Ttx?format=jpg&name=large

Well that drives home the point.

 

[Bvillebaron]

Yep, hope the 2022 commits look at this as a chance to play early.

But then we have to hope that Franklin actually plays them early......

So do I and he has demonstrated that he will.

 

[Bvillebaron]

haven't you learned by now that when we lose it's the coaches fault and when we win it is in spite of the coaches.

injuries don't matter, players dropping passes, missing blocks, throwing bad passes to open receivers, missing tackles, committing bad penalties to end drives on O or extending drives on D, hitting uprights on field goal tries is poor player development by our coaches.

we as fans deserve better, we should win a natty every year

losing to Illinois was on the coaches not preparing a game plan for Roberson especially with a bye week.

I thought the game plan today was great sans the fake field goal play in the first quarter. poor execution and settling for a fg instead of getting a td when we had momentum after the tying touchdown and successful 2 point conversion was the difference today.

You failed to mention playing good defense for 59 minutes and then giving up a 47 yard TD on a simple crossing pattern to a TE. Of course that was Franklin’s fault too. JoePa used to say that there are usually 4 or 5 plays that determine the outcome of most games. Unfortunately, the losses in close games is because PSU isn’t making those plays and the other team is.