Lost some key guys, got some great talent returning, needs to break in a new QB and he has seen the outcome of some decisions - after the fact - that may have not been the best ones. With all this said, can JF take this 2019 squad to a major bowl game and/or compete for a playoff spot? Ohio State on the road is going to be a big game for the Lion's, but they too are breaking in a new QB. Can he keep Buffalo out of the game and not allow them to stick around like he did APP State? Or allow MD to stick around like they did with Ohio State? Can he payback Michigan in front of 110,000 screaming people dressed in white?
If he can take care of biz early and have the Lion's sitting at 5-0 when Michigan comes to town, I think the second half of the year could be really interesting. There is absolutely NO sure loss on that schedule and I am even going to go as far as to say there is NOT one power house team he will face....like a Bama or Clemson. Just some good hard nose playing teams that can beat you if you are not prepared. Ohio State is going to be good, but I don't think they will be as good as they were this year. It is going to be hard to replace Haskin's.
Looking at next years schedule, there is not a team that should roll all over Penn State. JF needs to win the close ones this time!!
GO STATE!
2 factors:
1. Quarterback
2. Running back
I like your analysis Mt. Nittany. We'll be all right as long as we don't have to say "Franklin pulled a Franklin", eh Roam.
2015 and 2015 James Franklin was 14-12 with 2 winning seasons coaching in the big 10 with a JV teams with absolutely no offensive line. 2016 and 2017 we were 22-5 with a big 10 championship and a fiesta bowl win with James Franklin still coaching with one hand tied behind his back. Bottom line in 2018 we had players that just didn’t the make plays we needed in crunch time to get 11 wins. Boobie fumbles the ball when we were in position to put the game away and the turnover was a killer. In the Michigan st game we dropped a TD pass by our freshman TE plus we just flat choked and dropped a INT that would’ve ended the game with a win. Started the Kentucky game off with 2 drops that kept from getting any momentum going and we just got our butts handed to us by Michigan which happens from time to time but to answer your question yes and I believe we’ll get 11 wins this year maybe 12. Schedule ain’t all that bad IMO.
2 factors:
1. Quarterback
2. Running back
Running back will not be an issue.
2015 and 2015 James Franklin was 14-12 with 2 winning seasons coaching in the big 10 with a JV teams with absolutely no offensive line. 2016 and 2017 we were 22-5 with a big 10 championship and a fiesta bowl win with James Franklin still coaching with one hand tied behind his back. Bottom line in 2018 we had players that just didn’t the make plays we needed in crunch time to get 11 wins. Boobie fumbles the ball when we were in position to put the game away and the turnover was a killer. In the Michigan st game we dropped a TD pass by our freshman TE plus we just flat choked and dropped a INT that would’ve ended the game with a win. Started the Kentucky game off with 2 drops that kept from getting any momentum going and we just got our butts handed to us by Michigan which happens from time to time but to answer your question yes and I believe we’ll get 11 wins this year maybe 12. Schedule ain’t all that bad IMO.
Good evening SPF. The Sparty loss didn’t come down to just those 2 plays. Sparty was almost dead last in FCS in defending the pass. So, Rahne in his infinite wisdom decided to try and pound the ball the entire game. Even the tv announcers were questioning it? I get that the veteran WRs stunk up the joint the whole first half of the season, but the game plan for Sparty was bad. Rutgers was equally bad in the opposite way. Rutgers was at the bottom of the barrel in run defense and Rahne had Trace slinging it all over the field. I think he threw 37 times and it was an UGLY game. Again, the announcers were openly questioning the playcalling. Hopefully, Rahne learned from it and improves. Single plays stand out in many games, but neither of those games should have been close.
2 factors:
1. Quarterback
2. Running back
Running back will not be an issue.
Agree.
OL, QB, DL
And neither will QB. I see Stevens having a MROB kind of year. QB’s will be good regardless who starts I just think Stevens will win the job.
And neither will QB. I see Stevens having a MROB kind of year. QB’s will be good regardless who starts I just think Stevens will win the job.
I agree. I’m just a little nervous about his health. Both being ready for the season and durability throughout. Trace was one tough customer. Hopefully, Stevens can be too.
I agree. I’m just a little nervous about his health. Both being ready for the season and durability throughout. Trace was one tough customer. Hopefully, Stevens can be too.
I feel comfortable with Clifford playing as well. If we need to get deeper in our depth chart than that, I'll be nervous.
And neither will QB. I see Stevens having a MROB kind of year. QB’s will be good regardless who starts I just think Stevens will win the job.
If Stevens is anything close to MROB, I don't think double digit wins is an unreasonable expectation.
