Good observation on the defense: much better tackling.
Official PSU - Clemson '25 Pinstripe Bowl game thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
Worked for Ohio State when they added Howard who had a comparable resume--add talent around QBs and they play better--and win more
It's a sad state when Herbie sticks up for PSU more than some of the fanbase on here. He nails it, and at the same time blasts Finebaum.
“SIT DOWN. AND LISTEN, PAUL.” — Kirk Herbstreit SHUTS DOWN Paul Finebaum LIVE ON AIR after a blistering takedown of Penn State ahead of their showdown with Clemson, leaving the studio frozen in silence.
Paul Finebaum thought it was just another routine segment.
Another debate.
Another target.
This time, it was Penn State.
With the Penn State vs Clemson matchup looming, Paul didn’t waste a second.
“Let’s stop pretending,” he snapped.
“This has been a disastrous season for Penn State.”
He went straight for the jugular.
“A team with no identity.”
“Underachieving talent.”
“A program that panicked and made the worst possible decisions at the worst possible time.”
Then came the bomb.
“Firing James Franklin was a mistake,” Paul said flatly.
“An emotional move. A short-sighted move. And one this program will regret for years.”
He wasn’t done.
WATCH FULL STORY[VIDEO]
https://winboost.live/.../down-kirk-calm-truth-silenced...
Paul turned his fire toward the athletic department.
“This falls squarely on AD Pat Kraft,” he continued.
“Poor leadership. Poor timing. And no clear plan.”
He called the interim era “chaotic,” openly questioning interim head coach Terry Smith.
“A stopgap coach with an impossible situation — and it shows on the field,” Paul said.
“Discipline slipping. Confidence gone.”
And then, the final shot.
“As for the future?”
“Hiring Matt Campbell doesn’t magically fix this mess. He’s walking into a broken locker room and unrealistic expectations.”
Paul leaned back, confident.
“And now they want to walk into a game against Clemson like nothing’s wrong?”
“They don’t stand a chance.”
His voice rose.
“Penn State is lost — structurally, culturally, and competitively.”
What Paul didn’t notice was the shift in the studio.
Because sitting across from him was Kirk Herbstreit.
And Kirk had heard enough.
Paul doubled down, citing the season’s inconsistencies as proof.
“This team has regressed,” he argued.
“They don’t know who they are. And Clemson will expose them.”
Then it happened.
Kirk slowly leaned forward.
No sarcasm.
No theatrics.
Just that calm, unmistakable authority.
“Paul,” Kirk said evenly, “you’re confusing turbulence with collapse.”
Paul blinked.
Kirk continued.
“Penn State didn’t fire James Franklin because the program was dead. They did it because the ceiling had been reached — and everyone knew it.”
He gestured subtly.
“That doesn’t erase a decade of stability. It doesn’t erase culture. And it sure doesn’t erase the players in that locker room.”
Kirk addressed Pat Kraft directly — without raising his voice.
“Leadership isn’t about avoiding criticism. It’s about making hard decisions when stagnation sets in.”
The room stayed quiet.
“As for Terry Smith,” Kirk said, “he stepped into chaos and kept the team together. That matters more than the box score.”
Paul tried to interject.
Kirk raised a hand — just slightly.
“Let me finish.”
He leaned in.
“You want to judge Matt Campbell before he coaches a game?”
“That’s lazy.”
Kirk didn’t flinch.
“He’s known for rebuilding culture, developing players, and stabilizing programs that need direction. Exactly what Penn State needs right now.”
Then he turned to Clemson.
“You’re acting like Clemson is walking into a broken, defeated team,” Kirk said.
“They’re walking into a Penn State team playing loose — with nothing to protect and everything to prove.”
He paused.
“One rough season doesn’t define a program. One coaching reset doesn’t erase decades of relevance.”
Then came the line that shifted everything.
“Criticize the timing. Criticize individual performances. Criticize execution.”
Kirk shook his head.
“But writing off Penn State entirely?”
“That’s not analysis. That’s noise.”
Silence.
Kirk finished calmly.
“I’ve covered this sport long enough to know this: programs that reset instead of settling are dangerous.”
He sat back.
“And teams everyone declares ‘finished’?”
“They’re usually the ones nobody wants to play.”
No shouting.
No drama.
Just control.
Paul Finebaum — usually the loudest voice in the room — leaned back, quiet.
Kirk Herbstreit didn’t defend Penn State with emotion.
He defended them with context.
And just like that, the narrative cracked.
“SIT DOWN. AND LISTEN, PAUL.” — Kirk Herbstreit SHUTS DOWN Paul Finebaum LIVE ON AIR after a blistering takedown of Penn State ahead of their showdown with Clemson, leaving the studio frozen in silence.
Paul Finebaum thought it was just another routine segment.
Another debate.
Another target.
This time, it was Penn State.
With the Penn State vs Clemson matchup looming, Paul didn’t waste a second.
“Let’s stop pretending,” he snapped.
“This has been a disastrous season for Penn State.”
He went straight for the jugular.
“A team with no identity.”
“Underachieving talent.”
“A program that panicked and made the worst possible decisions at the worst possible time.”
Then came the bomb.
“Firing James Franklin was a mistake,” Paul said flatly.
“An emotional move. A short-sighted move. And one this program will regret for years.”
He wasn’t done.
WATCH FULL STORY[VIDEO]
Paul turned his fire toward the athletic department.
“This falls squarely on AD Pat Kraft,” he continued.
“Poor leadership. Poor timing. And no clear plan.”
He called the interim era “chaotic,” openly questioning interim head coach Terry Smith.
“A stopgap coach with an impossible situation — and it shows on the field,” Paul said.
“Discipline slipping. Confidence gone.”
And then, the final shot.
“As for the future?”
“Hiring Matt Campbell doesn’t magically fix this mess. He’s walking into a broken locker room and unrealistic expectations.”
Paul leaned back, confident.
“And now they want to walk into a game against Clemson like nothing’s wrong?”
“They don’t stand a chance.”
His voice rose.
“Penn State is lost — structurally, culturally, and competitively.”
What Paul didn’t notice was the shift in the studio.
Because sitting across from him was Kirk Herbstreit.
And Kirk had heard enough.
Paul doubled down, citing the season’s inconsistencies as proof.
“This team has regressed,” he argued.
“They don’t know who they are. And Clemson will expose them.”
Then it happened.
Kirk slowly leaned forward.
No sarcasm.
No theatrics.
Just that calm, unmistakable authority.
“Paul,” Kirk said evenly, “you’re confusing turbulence with collapse.”
Paul blinked.
Kirk continued.
“Penn State didn’t fire James Franklin because the program was dead. They did it because the ceiling had been reached — and everyone knew it.”
He gestured subtly.
“That doesn’t erase a decade of stability. It doesn’t erase culture. And it sure doesn’t erase the players in that locker room.”
Kirk addressed Pat Kraft directly — without raising his voice.
“Leadership isn’t about avoiding criticism. It’s about making hard decisions when stagnation sets in.”
The room stayed quiet.
“As for Terry Smith,” Kirk said, “he stepped into chaos and kept the team together. That matters more than the box score.”
Paul tried to interject.
Kirk raised a hand — just slightly.
“Let me finish.”
He leaned in.
“You want to judge Matt Campbell before he coaches a game?”
“That’s lazy.”
Kirk didn’t flinch.
“He’s known for rebuilding culture, developing players, and stabilizing programs that need direction. Exactly what Penn State needs right now.”
Then he turned to Clemson.
“You’re acting like Clemson is walking into a broken, defeated team,” Kirk said.
“They’re walking into a Penn State team playing loose — with nothing to protect and everything to prove.”
He paused.
“One rough season doesn’t define a program. One coaching reset doesn’t erase decades of relevance.”
Then came the line that shifted everything.
“Criticize the timing. Criticize individual performances. Criticize execution.”
Kirk shook his head.
“But writing off Penn State entirely?”
“That’s not analysis. That’s noise.”
Silence.
Kirk finished calmly.
“I’ve covered this sport long enough to know this: programs that reset instead of settling are dangerous.”
He sat back.
“And teams everyone declares ‘finished’?”
“They’re usually the ones nobody wants to play.”
No shouting.
No drama.
Just control.
Paul Finebaum — usually the loudest voice in the room — leaned back, quiet.
Kirk Herbstreit didn’t defend Penn State with emotion.
He defended them with context.
And just like that, the narrative cracked.
It's a sad state when Herbie sticks up for PSU more than some of the fanbase on here. He nails it, and at the same time blasts Finebaum.
“SIT DOWN. AND LISTEN, PAUL.” — Kirk Herbstreit SHUTS DOWN Paul Finebaum LIVE ON AIR after a blistering takedown of Penn State ahead of their showdown with Clemson, leaving the studio frozen in silence.
Paul Finebaum thought it was just another routine segment.
Another debate.
Another target.
This time, it was Penn State.
With the Penn State vs Clemson matchup looming, Paul didn’t waste a second.
“Let’s stop pretending,” he snapped.
“This has been a disastrous season for Penn State.”
He went straight for the jugular.
“A team with no identity.”
“Underachieving talent.”
“A program that panicked and made the worst possible decisions at the worst possible time.”
Then came the bomb.
“Firing James Franklin was a mistake,” Paul said flatly.
“An emotional move. A short-sighted move. And one this program will regret for years.”
He wasn’t done.
WATCH FULL STORY[VIDEO]https://winboost.live/.../down-kirk-calm-truth-silenced...
Paul turned his fire toward the athletic department.
“This falls squarely on AD Pat Kraft,” he continued.
“Poor leadership. Poor timing. And no clear plan.”
He called the interim era “chaotic,” openly questioning interim head coach Terry Smith.
“A stopgap coach with an impossible situation — and it shows on the field,” Paul said.
“Discipline slipping. Confidence gone.”
And then, the final shot.
“As for the future?”
“Hiring Matt Campbell doesn’t magically fix this mess. He’s walking into a broken locker room and unrealistic expectations.”
Paul leaned back, confident.
“And now they want to walk into a game against Clemson like nothing’s wrong?”
“They don’t stand a chance.”
His voice rose.
“Penn State is lost — structurally, culturally, and competitively.”
What Paul didn’t notice was the shift in the studio.
Because sitting across from him was Kirk Herbstreit.
And Kirk had heard enough.
Paul doubled down, citing the season’s inconsistencies as proof.
“This team has regressed,” he argued.
“They don’t know who they are. And Clemson will expose them.”
Then it happened.
Kirk slowly leaned forward.
No sarcasm.
No theatrics.
Just that calm, unmistakable authority.
“Paul,” Kirk said evenly, “you’re confusing turbulence with collapse.”
Paul blinked.
Kirk continued.
“Penn State didn’t fire James Franklin because the program was dead. They did it because the ceiling had been reached — and everyone knew it.”
He gestured subtly.
“That doesn’t erase a decade of stability. It doesn’t erase culture. And it sure doesn’t erase the players in that locker room.”
Kirk addressed Pat Kraft directly — without raising his voice.
“Leadership isn’t about avoiding criticism. It’s about making hard decisions when stagnation sets in.”
The room stayed quiet.
“As for Terry Smith,” Kirk said, “he stepped into chaos and kept the team together. That matters more than the box score.”
Paul tried to interject.
Kirk raised a hand — just slightly.
“Let me finish.”
He leaned in.
“You want to judge Matt Campbell before he coaches a game?”
“That’s lazy.”
Kirk didn’t flinch.
“He’s known for rebuilding culture, developing players, and stabilizing programs that need direction. Exactly what Penn State needs right now.”
Then he turned to Clemson.
“You’re acting like Clemson is walking into a broken, defeated team,” Kirk said.
“They’re walking into a Penn State team playing loose — with nothing to protect and everything to prove.”
He paused.
“One rough season doesn’t define a program. One coaching reset doesn’t erase decades of relevance.”
Then came the line that shifted everything.
“Criticize the timing. Criticize individual performances. Criticize execution.”
Kirk shook his head.
“But writing off Penn State entirely?”
“That’s not analysis. That’s noise.”
Silence.
Kirk finished calmly.
“I’ve covered this sport long enough to know this: programs that reset instead of settling are dangerous.”
He sat back.
“And teams everyone declares ‘finished’?”
“They’re usually the ones nobody wants to play.”
No shouting.
No drama.
Just control.
Paul Finebaum — usually the loudest voice in the room — leaned back, quiet.
Kirk Herbstreit didn’t defend Penn State with emotion.
He defended them with context.
And just like that, the narrative cracked.
You really need to start watching the games.
I got so caught up in the win that I forgot to laugh at tom allen.
Of course it matters. Don't let the blowhard drag you into his vortex.
Can I make a suggestion to you all? Take it or leave it as you wish.
Put kinglando on ignore. I did some time ago and the threads instantly became better reading.
90% of his posts seem to get people fired up and arguing. Put on ignore and enjoy reading the other posts.
Have a great day!
Put kinglando on ignore. I did some time ago and the threads instantly became better reading.
90% of his posts seem to get people fired up and arguing. Put on ignore and enjoy reading the other posts.
Have a great day!
I’ve watched every minute of every televised game since the 80’s. Did you think I missed Grunk’s 10 yard career high run against MSU? He doesn’t run well, plain and simple.
Interested to see what the ratings were for this game, those stands looked absolutely packed. As many like to claim here, we are always a top 3 draw for viewership, our fanbase is considered the greatest in all CFB. Who isn't fascinated with a 6/6 vs 7/5 matchup? This classic is one for the record books!!!
While watching you either don’t pay attention or you view with significant pre-game bias.
His best game was 8 carries for 6 yards…what am I not paying attention to? I’m not sure why you’re trying to convince me he’s a good running QB because he isn’t. That doesn’t make him a bad QB, just a bad running QB. My preference is to have a QB who can run when necessary….but it’s not my call, so I hope any QB we have does well.
I dont think there is enough data right now to evaluate if he is able to run when needed. For most of Grunks starts, Clifford was the backup QB. Clifford is a terrible receiver, but would be a disaster at QB. Im sure Grunk was told to protect himself and not take big hits if avoidable.
Why are you so worried about his ability to run? If Campbell wants a more mobile QB he'll go get one
We're not going to be in the situation we were in with Franklin when he refused to alter his scheme to the talent.
Just my opinion, but I think defenses have caught up to the running quarterback. Running helps, but most qb's don't hold up physically.
Passing skills are the key.
Guess it depends on how you define a running QB. A team who relies on a QB to run more than a few times a game likely wont be very successful. And you'll likely need your backup to start some games due to injury.
A QB who can scramble for some yards if protection breaks down is still very valuable.
Could be, but I also heard that about Allar, yet he managed quite a few good runs to extend drives. I hope Grunk turns out to be a great runner, but based on what we’ve seen, he’s not.
I said it in my other posts, my personal preference is a QB who can run. I have no say in the decision, so I’ll support any QB we have, but if I could choose, I would take someone with running ability. I think they give you a whole different dimension to use.
I don’t want a QB that runs all the time or to have the offense built around a QB who can run, just one that can get you out of a jam with a long run….much like Jalen Hurts last year. Grunk may have that ability, but after seven games we haven’t seen it. That’s all I’m saying.