From Pre-season #7 to not even being predicted to make a bowl game!!
With the talent Penn State has, I firmly believe if any of the current top 10 teams coaching staff was at Penn State, they would be 2-1 at worse!
Folks, I think we ALL need to say a prayer to whoever or whatever you believe in real quick! There is a good chance Penn State puts up a goose egg in the W column and that is just down right unacceptable and inexcusable! The coaching staff is playing scared and it has now affected the team and I just don't see how they can cure this quickly.
Unbelievable it has gotten to this point!
We were 11-2 last year it’s this year where everything has gone bad. We beat Maryland 59-0 last year. Besides #9 I don’t see any play makers on defense and after Saturday I see why Indiana scored 4 straight times and beat us. We give up what 8 of 9 on 3rd down that’s just bad defense. Losing all the coaches We have the last few years is showing up that’s the only thing it can be. Clifford is becoming a turnover machine and he’s not being punished for it just like what went on with Hack. I just don’t get it but after Saturday I’m very concerned if we can win a game. Hopefully Franklin can get it fixed but usually these things happening to teams this bad don’t end good. Not trying to be negative just calling it the way I see it today.
Don't ask me why, but I just have a gut feeling that this team is headed for a COVID shutdown. I'm serious. Nothing to play for (except pride - which apparently doesn't matter much to these players & coaches). Young college kids may figure what the heck, lets party.
@rip. I hope you’re right bob but iowa, Ohio St Indiana are all playing hard so why not Penn St? Unless you’re saying just Pennsylvania is going to shut down and Michigan because they’re playing like crap to? Wisconsin ain’t playing now if that’s the case which I actually hope it is that way we know there’s not much of a problem that can’t be fixed? I’m either seeing bad football or a team that doesn’t want to play.
Southern, I'm talking about the Penn State team having to shut down due to a COVID breakout among the team members. I'm thinking you're seeing a team that doesn't have the heart to overcome the dismal start due to bad play. I hope I'm wrong, but I guess as always, time will be the great teller.
Don't blame Clifford and don't blame the team, Southern. The issues are coming from the top down! When I see a head coach standing on the sidelines - arms crossed and barley moving - I have to wonder if he has completely lost control....and I do believe this is the case. I think the loss to IU - and the way he lost that game - took the air out of this team! They came out flat against Ohio State and that loss just sent them ALL into a downward spiral and it showed against Maryland.
A good coach, and I mean a GOOD coach, could still take this team, win out and make a bowl game. Losing your #1 and #2 Running backs is a big problem for Clifford. But Ford is NO slouch, maybe a little too small, but by no means is he just average. And if they give Holmes more touches....look out! He will be become a great back at PSU!
POSITIVES
Penn State has out scored all three opponents in the second half....including the Ohio State game.
Holmes looks like a potential great RB if they give him more playing time
Dotson has a chance of being one of the best yet at PSU
NEGATIVES
- poor game plan
- poor decisions being made....like not kicking a FG early against MD and IU. Going for it early against Ohio State
- no enthusiasm whatsoever from the coaches during the game!!!!
- DC is really confused....from kickoff to the final whistle!
I will it say again! Penn State has plenty of talent! They need a coach that can make them believe they are winners and a new OC!
GO STATE, BEAT NEBRAKSA!!!
Unbelievable it has gotten to this point!
James Franklin had always played scared which is why his teams can't hold leads and he chokes in the moment. He owes half his paycheck to Moorhead because of it wasn't for him Franklin wouldn't be here.
@mtnittanylion. I’m not blaming anybody I’m giving my opinion from what I see on the field. Clifford needed to be benched Saturday after the 3rd and on defense I don’t see any play makers with speed and a nasty attitude and the DL can’t get pressure on the QB and the LB’s ain’t gettin to the ball and we just can’t get off the field on 3rd down. Beat down from Maryland ain’t going to fly. I know Clifford is trying but he ain’t gettin the job done and he’s turning the ball over. I don’t know what the problem is I just hope James Franklin does and he fixed it. New game Saturday hopefully we’ll take all this crap out on Nebraska.
Penn State loses on Saturday by blow out or blowing it in 4th quarter, I'd be looking for some major coaching changes by the day after the last game if not sooner. Booster money (bingo) ain't gonna fuel this train wreck much longer.
Penn State loses on Saturday by blow out or blowing it in 4th quarter, I'd be looking for some major coaching changes by the day after the last game if not sooner. Booster money (bingo) ain't gonna fuel this train wreck much longer.
You might be right 61 but I’ve always thought that if you are definitely going to make a change you better have someone in mind that you know will make the program better and have a reasonable level of confidence he or she is coming. I don’t see that right now.
Penn State loses on Saturday by blow out or blowing it in 4th quarter, I'd be looking for some major coaching changes by the day after the last game if not sooner. Booster money (bingo) ain't gonna fuel this train wreck much longer.
You might be right 61 but I’ve always thought that if you are definitely going to make a change you better have someone in mind that you know will make the program better and have a reasonable level of confidence he or she is coming. I don’t see that right now.
Sort of like harbaugh when he replaced Brady Hoke.
( not sure why I’m getting double post entries... anybody know why that happens?)
I don’t think James Franklin is in any trouble regardless of how we finish this season and he shouldn’t be but next year if we don’t win 10 games people will start to scream. I’d give Clifford the first half this week and if we’re not moving the chains then give the other QB’s a chance. It might be time to treat these last 5 games like scrimmage games in the 2nd half if we’re not winning.
I’m not giving up on the season or am I giving up on James Franklin I just don’t like what I’m seeing on the field and I’m hoping James Franklin fixes it starting this week but after watching that Maryland game at home and gettin beat like that I don’t know if it can be fixed this year unless we give another QB a chance and he steps up big time like trace did. The QB might be the biggest problem because he’s turning the ball over and ain’t moving the chains and that kills the defense. It really kills everything you’re trying to do.
If we don't see a big improvement in effort this weekend, I think I'll have to give up on this season Southern. If the players & coaches can throw in the towel, I guess we can too!
@rip. We got some young studs that want to play, we just gotta give ‘em a chance baby
@southern-psu-fan:
Back in '67 Joe benched his starters and put in sophomores for the rest of the year. That group was the nucleus of the great '68-'69 teams. Perhaps JF will repeat history??
one more thing, Freshmen weren't allowed to play back in those days.
I have watched PSU football for over 60 years. I have never seen a team that appears like this one does. I played some sports. What I see is disturbing. Most of my thoughts are echoed by everyone else in all the posts. I see other schools even those who aren't doing well playing hard and their coaching staffs animated. I feel PSU is going thru the motions. Maryland was abysmal. The team looks confused, poorly coached and woefully unprepared. I read someone's post about all the PA recruits going elsewhere. Thats' fairly easy to explain for me. Look at where they went. These kids today everywhere are about how can I get to the NFL and how soon. Transfer portals, starred recruits, etc. Prima donnas? Eh. I would not want to be a coach today. I think, as is, PSU will always be at a there but not in it level. Second tier. They could easily be there with the proper spark in a few areas. I do not see JoePA losing some of the key games we have lost in the last few years. Kids go where they know coaches will get them to the best position to get to the NFL. Who is the big name school? Education ? I think they believe that is nice, but not the primary reason for being there. Mom might. TOSU ( EX: THEE Ohio State University ... lol ) does so well because these kids know it is their best chance to move up. The coaching is (not totally maybe) but pretty stable. Those that do change are quality and get it done. Alabama is another and Clemson. Football schools? Of course, but that is why these kids are there. PSU is all over the map with coaching. Someone said in a spot and I have had the same results when I ( and I am a football idiot ) can call too high a percentage of the plays PSU will run in advance of the snap on each down. If I can do it the opposition must lick their chops. I hope no one gets it or gets harmed by it but I wish covid would shut down this year and end a bad nightmare.
Agreed Way 2. I'd like to add I don't think there is anything wrong with being a "football school" As you said, kids go to these institutions to get to the NFL. Not any different than a kid that wants to be an engineer going to a school that's known for a high quality engineering department.
