95 replies to this topic

[bowiac]

I should probably start a PSU 2012 season thread for this, but whatever.

Some actual football notes:

- One of the country's top TEs abd PSU signee Adam Breneman is keeping his commitment
- One of the country's top 3 QBs and PSU signee Christian Hackenberg is reportedly keeping his commitment, he told O'Briebd his "commitment is justified."
- Nearly every current projected starter has said they are staying.
- Silas Redd is the major unknown, but his dad has hinted he'll stay. USC is out front recruiting him in person and during the media day today.
- Anthony Fera will likely bolt to Texas (makes this Longhorn fan happy).
- Michigan native freshman Anthony Zettel turned down Michigan and Michigan St offers to stay at PSU.
- Stephen Bench, a highly recruited QB out of Georgia, is also not leaving.
- O'Brien is hinting at possible uniform changes.
- The BoT met tonight about the PSU's president accepting the penalties without their authority. They concluded Erickson made the best choice abd did not terminate him as rumored.

I think these kids staying, committees not fleeing, is worth noting and celebrating a bit. It's early and there's tons if time yet, but a mass exodus this season won't happen.

I thought this was a good starting point for a discussion about what the on field product will be like.

Does anyone have a guess about what kind of roster turnover we'll see? USC isn't Penn State, but they lost mostly backups when the NCAA opened up transfers for them. So far, we haven't seen the kinds of mass defections people were afraid of. There have only been a couple of decommits even. Could this team be okay next year?

They return only 10 starters, but apart from the continuing tire fire at QB, it's not a bad team. The schedule has three major hurdles in Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Nebraska, but even those three are winnable games. Could this team go 9-3?

[Average Reds]

It's too early to say that we haven't seen mass defections.

Once the emotion wears off and the reality of what just happened sinks in, they'll end up losing several more key players from the team. I will also bet that virtually every big-time recruit from the class entering in 2013 goes elsewhere. It just doesn't make any sense for them to stay, and I can't believe that this class will hang in there with many months to think about it. Future recruiting has been gutted.

Next year's team will be the last with any sort of depth for half a decade. And I don't think it will be as strong as you think. 7 or 8 wins is their upside.

[canderson]

To date, 25 players have confirmed with PSU they are staying - if I have my numbers correctly 18 of those are projected starters. Silas Redd is I'd say 60/40 staying at Penn State at the moment. There won't be a mass exodus and most starters appear to be sticking around.

With that said, the team isn't great. They have probably the Big 11's worst starting QB is Matt McGloin. IF Redd leaves, they have backup RB problems. Fera (TE) leaving will hurt even more, especially given O'Brien's offensive schemes.

Defensively they should be better than last year's abortion of a unit. They have holes to fill but they are holes that should've been filled last year anyway.

Here's the schedule:
September 1 Ohio U Noon
September 8 @ Virginia Noon
September 15 Navy 3:30 p.m.
September 22 Temple TBD
September 29 @ Illinois TBD
October 6 Northwestern Noon
October 13 Open
October 20 @ Iowa 8 p.m.
October 27 Ohio State 6 p.m.
November 3 @ Purdue TBD
November 10 @ Nebraska TBD
November 17 Indiana TBD
November 24 Wisconsin TBD

Before the season they would be IMO lucky to win 9, and I'd think they'd get 7-8. Now, I see more 7 and maybe even 6 as their mark.

Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa and Ohio State are definitely losses. Indiana, Purdue and Illinois are probably wins, but Illinois I have no idea what to expect given their new coaching staff and system. Northwestern is a toss up. They should beat Ohio, Virginia, Navy (although that might be a challenge) and Temple.

Edit: Damn tables aren't working for me.

Edited by canderson, 26 July 2012 - 02:01 PM.

[TimNJsoxfan]

Fera (TE) leaving will hurt even more, especially given O'Brien's offensive schemes.

You sure Fera is a TE? The team roster has him as a P/PK.

[LeftyTG]

To be fair, we also have no idea if Bill O'Brien can coach, or at least be a competent BCS level coach. His college resume is pretty unremarkable, and as Charlie Weis showed everyone, being OC for the Patriots doesn't guarantee success as a collegiate head coach. I'm not saying O'Brien will be a terrible coach - I have no idea - I'm just saying it is another variable when considering this upcoming season for PSU.

[canderson]

You sure Fera is a TE? The team roster has him as a P/PK.

D'oh, brain cramp. Yeah, sorry about that you are correct.

[soxfan121]

To be fair, we also have no idea if Bill O'Brien can coach, or at least be a competent BCS level coach. His college resume is pretty unremarkable, and as Charlie Weis showed everyone, being OC for the Patriots doesn't guarantee success as a collegiate head coach. I'm not saying O'Brien will be a terrible coach - I have no idea - I'm just saying it is another variable when considering this upcoming season for PSU.

All true. And BOB is the only thing the program has going for it, specifically his still-believable pitch to recruits: I can help you get to the NFL, bowl games or no bowl games. He might suck. Or he might exceed expectations - or anything in between. I suspect that if it's anything other than "suck", BOB will keep PSU presentable (not competitive, but not Indiana, either) during the next five years. And I think he'll convince one or two local prospects per year to pay their own way.

BOB clearly can coach NFL offense. If he can keep the PSU team afloat and have one or two recruits from this year's class end up in the NFL (or on the projected track for it) he'll have a recruiting pitch that few college HCs can use.

[maufman]

To be fair, we also have no idea if Bill O'Brien can coach, or at least be a competent BCS level coach. His college resume is pretty unremarkable, and as Charlie Weis showed everyone, being OC for the Patriots doesn't guarantee success as a collegiate head coach. I'm not saying O'Brien will be a terrible coach - I have no idea - I'm just saying it is another variable when considering this upcoming season for PSU.

Charlie Weis was a decent tactical coach, and ND was much better under his leadership than it was in the last couple years of the Willingham era. Unfortunately, Weis couldn't recruit or develop talent for shit, so once the upperclassmen who cut their teeth under Willingham were gone, the Irish sucked.

PSU was 5-1 last season in games decided by a touchdown or less, and the only top 25 team they played on the road (Wisconsin) utterly crushed them. The success of last year's team was smoke and mirrors, so put me down for 6-6 this season.

[bowiac]

FWIW, Weis's recruiting classes ranked pretty highly on the ratings sites. His classes ranked 8th, 8th, 2nd, 21st, and 14th on Rivals. That's good enough to win with if you can develop said talent.

[canderson]

The entire starting defense says they are returning. As of now 54 players have confirmed they will not be leaving.

[canderson]

O'Brien has confirmed the whole starting team minus 2-3 players are going to return.

RB Silas Redd's transcripts are with USC, he should announce Saturday (he visits then with his family) he will transfer (wonder who Kiffin f'd over on his team, he has to give up someine's current scholarship evidently). K Andrew Fera very likely to Texas (family lives there), and OL Ryan Nowicki looks to be headed to Arizona State.

Fera and Redd are major losses. Redd gives USC probably the best offense in the country by a decent margin.

Edited by canderson, 27 July 2012 - 06:56 PM.

[natpastime162]

O'Brien has confirmed the whole team minus 2-3 players are going to return.

RB Silas Redd's transcripts are with USC, he should announce Saturday (he visits then with his family) he will transfer (wonder who Kiffin f'd over on his team, he has to give up someine's current scholarship evidently). K Andrew Fera very likely to Texas (family lives there), and OL Ryan Nowicki looks to be headed to Arizona State.

Fera and Redd are major losses. Redd gives USC probably the best offense in the country by a decent margin.

Surprised Redd is leaving for USC so quickly (short practice window aside). Thought for sure we would hear about a few more schools before he chose where to go. UGA for one

[canderson]

Few updates:

- While not official at all, signs point to Redd actually staying at PSU. A lot of talk too about USC committing violations while recruiting him (current players were calling him last week before the announcement of sanctions, specifically).
- PSU's top 2013 recruits (specifically Breneman and Christian Hackenberg - a major QB recruit) all visited PSU this weekend and every one reconfirmed their commitment to attend Penn State.
- Rob Bolden (QB who started some last year but O'Brien had as his third-string option) is no longer on the active roster and appears headed to LSU. Bolden was a 4 star prospect but sucked - which you can probably give all credit to Jay Paterno for his inability to ever develop a QB.
- O'Brien is trying to schedule games in Hawaii to end the year as a sort of "bowl" game for the players. Smart move, if they can. BYU appears to be a team they'd play in Hawaii.

[bowiac]

Is there anything to this USC violations in a real way? Or just the normal rumors and innuendo?

[Average Reds]

Is there anything to this USC violations in a real way? Or just the normal rumors and innuendo?

Given that canderson said that what he is hearing is "a lot of talk" I would think the answer is self-evident.

[grsharky7]

According to Joe Schad Silas Redd is still in SoCal and is leaning towards going to USC. No link heard it on the radio out of Pittsburgh. So we'll see how this all plays out.

[canderson]

Is there anything to this USC violations in a real way? Or just the normal rumors and innuendo?

Supposedly Redd has a very good friend on USC's roster who called him to "recruit." So the violation would be more NCAA bullshit, but I'm sure it will never be a real issue. Just more stupidity of the contact rules.

Redd must be really torn on a decision. Feel bad fir the kid, he always has seemed like a very standup guy.

[Infield Infidel]

- O'Brien is trying to schedule games in Hawaii to end the year as a sort of "bowl" game for the players. Smart move, if they can. BYU appears to be a team they'd play in Hawaii.

This is interesting. The schedule is full for 2013 or 2014. They would have to buy out a home game each year to do this. 2015 and 2016 they have one opening each.

PSU is barred from using the 13th-game-at-Hawaii exception to schedule a against Hawaii game there, but they could schedule a game their within the normal 12 game schedule, either against Hawaii or a neutral site game. Hawaii normally doesn't schedule their 13th game until the offseason preceding that season, and it's unclear if Hawaii can schedule PSU as their 13th game as long as it's PSU 12th game. PSU definitely can't schedule Hawaii as a 13th game.

BYU, as an independent, is always looking for games towards the end of the season, and has a large following in Hawaii. BYU actually has games @ Hawaii in 2013 and 2015 so they would probably just stay an extra week and play both games.

[Reverend]

BYU actually has games @ Hawaii in 2013 and 2015 so they would probably just stay an extra week and play both games.

Down goes education... Down goes education...

[natpastime162]

Supposedly Redd has a very good friend on USC's roster who called him to "recruit." So the violation would be more NCAA bullshit, but I'm sure it will never be a real issue. Just more stupidity of the contact rules.

Redd must be really torn on a decision. Feel bad fir the kid, he always has seemed like a very standup guy.

I was under the impression the possible violation occurred not because of the contact with Redd, but rather the USC player mentioning it to media outlet. The quote from the player was quite innocuous.

[Infield Infidel]

Down goes education... Down goes education...

The games would be at the end of the season, either around the thanksgiving break, or after classes end. If the games were before and after the thanksgiving break, they'd miss at most two days of classes. Unless PSU makes it worth their while to fly for 7 hours each way, four times, which would probably be worse for education all things considered.

Teams, in all sports, miss classes during the week for travel. Often they have videos of lectures, and tutors accompany the players.

[Domer]

Supposedly Redd has a very good friend on USC's roster who called him to "recruit." So the violation would be more NCAA bullshit, but I'm sure it will never be a real issue. Just more stupidity of the contact rules.

Redd must be really torn on a decision. Feel bad fir the kid, he always has seemed like a very standup guy.

As far as I know, the NCAA allows those with an prior relationship to have contact with a recruit. Redd and Wittek were Pop Warner teammates, so I do no believe contacting Redd is a violation.

Edit: I missed this

I was under the impression the possible violation occurred not because of the contact with Redd, but rather the USC player mentioning it to media outlet. The quote from the player was quite innocuous.

Yes, Wittek's violation was speaking publicly about Redd.

Edited by Domer, 30 July 2012 - 11:53 PM.

[grsharky7]

http://espn.go.com/c...oster-questions

About a 1000 people and some of the band came out to support the team during an offseason workout this morning.

[sachmoney]

Silas Redd to 'SC per Joe Schad and a bunch of other journalists.

[canderson]

Wish him well, he'll tear up those opponents. I see him as one of the best college RBs this season. Hurts O'Brien's offense pretty badly.

[grsharky7]

With Redd going to USC that is going to really hamper PSU's already suspect offense. McGloin is not a good QB so I doubt they will want him throwing anymore than he has too but without Redd they may have no choice. BTW it was funny last week when these sanctions came down all the PSU people around here said they would feel no ill will about any player who left because of this situation. Well that lasted roughly one week because everyone in these parts have been trashing Redd pretty bad since he made this decision.

[jon abbey]

From ESPN Insider this AM:

Silas Redd is now a USC Trojan instead of a Penn State Nittany Lion, and the floodgates appear to be opening.
Defensive tackle Jamil Pollard was the next to go.
"He's going to go to Rutgers," Pollard's high school coach, Clyde Folsom, told Wes Szafran of the News of Cumberland County. "He's leaving Penn State and going to Rutgers."
Tight end Kevin Haplea appears to have made a decision to move past Penn State as well.
"Penn State junior tight end Kevin Haplea intends to transfer to Florida State, said a source close to the situation, in the wake of NCAA sanctions handed down against the Nittany Lions," Corey Dowlar of NoleNation.com reported.
Kicker Anthony Fera wants to transfer to Texas, but admissions may be a problem.
"One source close to the situation told me they believe Fera wants to become a Longhorn, but the matter of admissions and dealing with UT transfer policies is the roadblock right now," Max Olson of HornsNation.com reported.
Quarterback Rob Bolden is set to be a LSU Tiger.
"A source close to the situation confirmed with me tonight that Penn State transfer Rob Bolden will join LSU's football team, probably Wednesday," Gary Laney of GeauxTigerNation.com reported.
And wide receiver Justin Brown is considering Oklahoma.
"They've been in contact," Brown told Carey Murdock & Josh McCuistion of SoonerScoop.com. "Not that much contact. They've backed off."
Oklahoma is hedging its bets with Brown due to the attrition the Sooners suffered this offseason at the wide receiver position.
"Stoops has not ruled out the return of any of his suspended receivers and their 'backed off; approach with Brown could further strengthen the rumors one or more of those receivers could return to the roster this fall," SoonerScoop.com added.
Brown appears more likely to be in State College this fall than Norman.
NOTE: Khairi Fortt announced today that he will transfer to Cal.

- Brent Sobleski

[RingoOSU]

BUT BUT I was told they all wanted to stick together! I guess Redd having the guts to get the hell out of Dodge is allowing others to follow.

[Grin&MartyBarret]

Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa and Ohio State are definitely losses. Indiana, Purdue and Illinois are probably wins, but Illinois I have no idea what to expect given their new coaching staff and system. Northwestern is a toss up. They should beat Ohio, Virginia, Navy (although that might be a challenge) and Temple.

Edit: Damn tables aren't working for me.

For what it's worth, Paul Myerberg, of the New York Times, has been ranking all 124 of the FBS teams on his blog http://www.presnapread.com/. He started with 124, and worked his way up. He ranked Penn State 51st. Virginia is ranked 3 spots higher at 48, and Ohio has not yet been covered, so they'll be at least 37th. Meanwhile Penn State beat Temple 14-10 last year, so I think there's a very good chance PSU loses to Ohio, Virginia, Navy or Temple.

Edited by Grin&MartyBarret, 01 August 2012 - 09:42 AM.

[natpastime162]

From ESPN Insider this AM:

Silas Redd is now a USC Trojan instead of a Penn State Nittany Lion, and the floodgates appear to be opening.
Defensive tackle Jamil Pollard was the next to go.
"He's going to go to Rutgers," Pollard's high school coach, Clyde Folsom, told Wes Szafran of the News of Cumberland County. "He's leaving Penn State and going to Rutgers."
Tight end Kevin Haplea appears to have made a decision to move past Penn State as well.
"Penn State junior tight end Kevin Haplea intends to transfer to Florida State, said a source close to the situation, in the wake of NCAA sanctions handed down against the Nittany Lions," Corey Dowlar of NoleNation.com reported.
Kicker Anthony Fera wants to transfer to Texas, but admissions may be a problem.
"One source close to the situation told me they believe Fera wants to become a Longhorn, but the matter of admissions and dealing with UT transfer policies is the roadblock right now," Max Olson of HornsNation.com reported.
Quarterback Rob Bolden is set to be a LSU Tiger.
"A source close to the situation confirmed with me tonight that Penn State transfer Rob Bolden will join LSU's football team, probably Wednesday," Gary Laney of GeauxTigerNation.com reported.
And wide receiver Justin Brown is considering Oklahoma.
"They've been in contact," Brown told Carey Murdock & Josh McCuistion of SoonerScoop.com. "Not that much contact. They've backed off."
Oklahoma is hedging its bets with Brown due to the attrition the Sooners suffered this offseason at the wide receiver position.
"Stoops has not ruled out the return of any of his suspended receivers and their 'backed off; approach with Brown could further strengthen the rumors one or more of those receivers could return to the roster this fall," SoonerScoop.com added.
Brown appears more likely to be in State College this fall than Norman.
NOTE: Khairi Fortt announced today that he will transfer to Cal.

- Brent Sobleski

Rob Bolden is not a loss. I have no idea what LSU sees in him.

BUT BUT I was told they all wanted to stick together! I guess Redd having the guts to get the hell out of Dodge is allowing others to follow.

It could just as easily be argued that it takes more guts to stay.

Edited by natpastime162, 01 August 2012 - 09:42 AM.

[canderson]

For what it's worth, Paul Myerberg, of the New York Times, has been ranking all 124 of the FBS teams on his blog http://www.presnapread.com/. He started with 124, and worked his way up. He ranked Penn State 51st. Virginia is ranked 3 spots higher at 48, and Ohio has not yet been covered, so they'll be at least 37th. Meanwhile Penn State beat Temple 14-10 last year, so I think there's a very good chance PSU loses to Ohio, Virginia, Navy or Temple.

With Redd gone, I need to resubmit my predictions. It severely impacts their offense.

Temple last year was probably PSU's worst game, and they had absolutely no idea how to handle their QBs and RBs at that time. Like, it was horrific coaching all around. If Temple's RBs are healthy and a bit faster, they'll give a good run at PSU this year for sure.

I don't know much about Virginia, but without Redd a team that caliber will be a tough out. Ohio that high is pretty shocking, maybe they have a load of weapons returning though.

Edited by canderson, 01 August 2012 - 04:59 PM.

[grsharky7]

Penn State's kicker Anthony Fera has decided to transfer to Texas. Fera was a semi-finalist for the Groza award last season and didn't miss inside of 40 yards all year. Tough blow for PSU even if he is a kicker, he was very solid. That brings the list up to 8 who have decided to leave PSU.

[canderson]

#1 WR Justin Brown (a senior) is going to Oklahoma, he apparently confirmed today.

So PSU has no RB, good WRs, a QB who is essentially a walk on, no kicker/punter and an entire new coaching staff save for two guys.

2 or 3 wins is looking like a fairly realistic outcome.

[maufman]

They have home games against Ohio U, Navy, Temple, Northwestern and Indiana. Even a decimated PSU squad is likely to win at least 4 of those 5 contests.

I'll stand by 6-6, though I agree that's an optimistic prediction now.

[Average Reds]

#1 WR Justin Brown (a senior) is going to Oklahoma, he apparently confirmed today.

So PSU has no RB, good WRs, a QB who is essentially a walk on, no kicker/punter and an entire new coaching staff save for two guys.

2 or 3 wins is looking like a fairly realistic outcome.

Going to try to be gentle here, which is difficult given the tone-deaf nature of message board posting.

I think you need to take a step back from the topic for a moment, because you are veering from one extreme to another. You've gone from "no one is leaving" to "the rats are leaving the sinking ship" in record time. Might want to let things settle before you re-engage.

The reality was that they were always going to lose a core of players, but none of them wanted to be placed in the position of fleeing right after the announcement of sanctions. However, to maufman's point, they have enough easy games upfont that they're going to do better than 2 or 3 games next year.

I'm going to stick with my prediction early in the thread. 7 or 8 wins is the upside. 6 is realistic.

Having said that, years 2-4 of the punishment period will be dark times for the program.

[maufman]

It's not just those five games, either. Only 2 of PSU's 12 opponents are ranked in the USA Today preseason top 25: Wisconsin (#12) and Nebraska (#16). (They don't play Michigan or Michigan State this year.) Only one of their other opponents (Virginia) even received votes. It's about as easy a schedule as you'll see for a major conference school. They might lose one of the easy ones, but they'll probably pick up a win or two from among UVA/Iowa/tOSU/Purdue/Illinois.

[terrynever]

Lack of depth is a killer in big-time college football. Penn State barely beat Temple last year. I know the Owls have lost most of their O-Line but they have a great chance at beating a depleted Penn State team in late September.
One thing in Penn State's favor this year is the change in coaching staffs. The offense should be much more diverse this season. Not sure if the new defensive staff can match the previous group but it's worth the risk.
Losing Anthony Fera to Texas is a big blow to this team.

[grsharky7]

PSU must be hurting for depth already. My neighbor is actually going to play at Pitt this fall, and he was telling me that PSU asked another local kid to walk on up there his name is Colin Bryan. He was a skill player here in hs and he was nothing to write home about, had maybe DII talent. So they are already scraping the bottom of the barrel. But my neighbor told me that PSU called him and asked him if he could report to camp asap.

Edited by grsharky7, 06 August 2012 - 06:15 PM.

[terrynever]

PSU must be hurting for depth already. My neighbor is actually going to play at Pitt this fall, and he was telling me that PSU asked another local kid to walk on up there his name is Colin Bryan. He was a skill player here in hs and he was nothing to write home about, had maybe DII talent. So they are already scraping the bottom of the barrel. But my neighbor told me that PSU called him and asked him if he could report to camp asap.

No doubt this is true. One of the amazing things about major colleges is how many terrific high school athletes play intramurals in college. Penn State had a walk-on All-America safety in the late 60s. A lot of walk-ons end up on scholarship at major colleges after a year or two, maybe Penn State gets lucky with two or three guys. We're just talking depth here.

Edited by terrynever, 06 August 2012 - 07:34 PM.

[canderson]

Going to try to be gentle here, which is difficult given the tone-deaf nature of message board posting.

I think you need to take a step back from the topic for a moment, because you are veering from one extreme to another. You've gone from "no one is leaving" to "the rats are leaving the sinking ship" in record time. Might want to let things settle before you re-engage.

The reality was that they were always going to lose a core of players, but none of them wanted to be placed in the position of fleeing right after the announcement of sanctions. However, to maufman's point, they have enough easy games upfont that they're going to do better than 2 or 3 games next year.

I'm going to stick with my prediction early in the thread. 7 or 8 wins is the upside. 6 is realistic.

Having said that, years 2-4 of the punishment period will be dark times for the program.

No offense taken. I truly thought Redd would stay, play and go pro. Brown and a few others leaving I see as direct result of Redd leaving. Had Redd not left, I think some of these guys stay. I posted too much for sure about this initially though, which wasn't wise.

Lack of depth is a killer in big-time college football. Penn State barely beat Temple last year. I know the Owls have lost most of their O-Line but they have a great chance at beating a depleted Penn State team in late September.
One thing in Penn State's favor this year is the change in coaching staffs. The offense should be much more diverse this season. Not sure if the new defensive staff can match the previous group but it's worth the risk.
Losing Anthony Fera to Texas is a big blow to this team.

The problem with Penn State is Matt McGloin is a terrible QB. Terrible. Penn State might have the one of the thinnest DB rosters in major college football right now. Their RB Belton I'm not sure is a legitimate big time starter yet, he will have to grow up insanely fast. New staff will be more dynamic, better coaching probably, but talent is a serious issue at the skilled positions.

Indiana, Purdue Illinois are the Big 10 games they should be favorites. NW always gives Penn State fits, even in the best of years. Navy option could destroy teams with poor DBs. Temple should've won last year honestly, losing their O line is bad but they have skilled playmakers talent. I thought UVa would be a sure win, but on the road against a team better than I ever expected is a tough out.

I'm not sure if O'Brien is a this kind of miracle worker.

Reports out of their camp today are less-than-optimistic about their passing game being a serviceable attack. It is the first day of practice of course, but today in about 10 minutes the secondary picked off 4 passes.

My 2-3 comment was sorta tongue-in-cheek and not a serious thought. However if this team wins more than 4 games, I'll donate an extra $100 per victory to the Jimmy Fund.

[terrynever]

I 'm also in the 4-win camp but winning games isn't really what this season is going to be about. I'll be happy if this team plays hard, respects itself and its opponents, and holds it head high. After 45 years of high expectations, it may be fun to just watch the games and not worry about winning. Putting winning above everything else is how we got into this mess.

[maufman]

Indiana, Purdue Illinois are the Big 10 games they should be favorites. NW always gives Penn State fits, even in the best of years. Navy option could destroy teams with poor DBs. Temple should've won last year honestly, losing their O line is bad but they have skilled playmakers talent. I thought UVa would be a sure win, but on the road against a team better than I ever expected is a tough out.

The funny thing about this year's PSU schedule is that they'd normally be cursing their luck -- if they were any good, they would rather play Iowa and Purdue at home and travel to NW and Indiana. Such a schedule, however, works in their favor in a lean year. If they can win four of the five "easy" home games, and pick off a win or two among their other five winnable games, it's a successful season.

That UVA game should be a good early barometer -- a road game against a team that would be middle of the pack in the Big Ten. If they win, or even if they lose respectably, that's a good omen. But if they get blown out at Charlottesville, then I'll start wondering if they can take care of business in those supposedly easy home games.

[grsharky7]

No doubt this is true. One of the amazing things about major colleges is how many terrific high school athletes play intramurals in college. Penn State had a walk-on All-America safety in the late 60s. A lot of walk-ons end up on scholarship at major colleges after a year or two, maybe Penn State gets lucky with two or three guys. We're just talking depth here.

Without a doubt depth with Bryan. I mean he is small and not very fast. I was just shocked when Jacob told me that he was going up there to walk on. Usually PSU gets a kid or two from our area to walk on there every couple of years, and usually they were excellent high school players with some size. Even then those kids almost never see the field in anything other than special teams. This kid was a nice player but I don't think anywhere near the level to be a D1 scout team player. Maybe he'll shock me and stay on there, I hope he does.

[canderson]

A bunch of PSU fans are having a heart attack. PSU's uniforms will have names on the back. They'll also have a blue ribbon to honor all victims of sexual abuse.

Edited by canderson, 07 August 2012 - 04:00 PM.

[terrynever]

A bunch of PSU fans are having a heart attack. PSU's uniforms will have names on the back. They'll also have a blue ribbon to honor all victims of sexual abuse.

That former announcer they quoted -- Fran Fisher -- is 89 friggin years old. How would he know what former players think? Who cares what Paterno preferred? Put names on the unis, add some color, catch up with the rest of modern college football. Add a passing offense where the QB doesn't drop back 7 yards and take 7 seconds to throw the ball. It will be so nice if BOB can get these kids to execute a modern pro-style offense, even if the talent doesn't take them far.
Many of us alumni were sick of Paterno's offense for, like, 40 years.

[canderson]

Oh I agree. Unfortunately the majority of comments ive read so far on pennlive and wherever range from "O'Brien is dead to me" to "Our tradition is completely gone" to "Might as well wear a Scarlet letter forever." it feeds the stereotype.

O'Brien can and should change whatever the hell he and his plays want.

[terrynever]

Oh I agree. Unfortunately the majority of comments ive read so far on pennlive and wherever range from "O'Brien is dead to me" to "Our tradition is completely gone" to "Might as well wear a Scarlet letter forever." it feeds the stereotype.

O'Brien can and should change whatever the hell he and his plays want.

Yeah, it's sickening. If you go back to the 1999-2004 run of bad seasons, there were a lot of alumni calling for Joe's head. It's not like everyone thought it was a good idea to have an 80-year-old coach whose unprepared son was calling plays from the press box. Now we have blind loyalists trying to erase some of the bad memories of those final 12 seasons. I guess they wanted 409 wins as badly as Joe did.

[Doug Beerabelli]

I'd argue that by not having the player's names on the uni backs fed the Paterno cult. No names on the back is a Joe thing. This change is a way to bring focus on the players, parties with no blame in the Sandusky mess.

[RingoOSU]

He'll be fought every inch of the way, but O'Brien is on the right track. He should kill every Paterno tradition and give the school new ones.

[terrynever]

Remaining Class of 2013 stalwarts may be wavering. Here's an article on QB blue-chipper Christian Hackenberg, who says he'll be in touch with other recruits in the next week. Seems like Penn State's success on the field, especially in September, is going to play a role in whether the Class of 2013 sticks together.

http://www.philly.co...html?page=1&c=y