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Penn State @ Purdue

Aug 25, 2022
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It's a week away so I came over looking for a game thread. I didn't see one, so hopefully it's okay that I'm getting one started.

At any rate, what's the view on the opening game from Purdue fans? Strengths, weaknesses, predictions, etc?

Looking forward to football being back. Boiler Up (except for Thursday evening).
 
I'll go on record: I think that Purdue wins the game (by about a touchdown.)

My reasoning: it is at home and I expect a large and enthusiastic crowd. Also, PSU has been only a 0.500 team over the past two seasons. Also, Franklin was evidently interested in the USC job. He must not be totally sold on Penn State and the fan base not sold on him. I know that he got an extension but even interest in leaving the PSU is a statement. I just think that under the surface, it is not so happy in Happy Valley.
 
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PSU will somehow manage to cover the spread after several strange calls/no calls.
Tell me that Stephen Pamon is NOT refereeing this game!? He was on the take in the Joe Tiller era.

Don't have to look too far to know he had gambling debts to cover.

 
My guesstimate is the game will be won or lost more in the trenches this time around. Should Purdue's defensive line hold up throughout the game, we win by 7. Tyrone Tracy will be a nice addition to the backfield change of pace and finding him on releases, pop passes or slot can be a great addition. Charlie Jones will be intriguing as well + our entire receiving core will be fun to watch. Hope our running game can get 125+ yards.
Being first game of the year, it likely goes to the wire.

Staying close to the line:
Purdue 28
Penn State 24
 
I am having a hard time picking this one.Purdue and PSU have to replace some key starters.That being said,I expect a close game.
 
Here's a video preview I did. Thanks to Nick over at Roar Lions Roar. He really knows his stuff. Gave us a good overview of the 2022 Penn State football team. We're definitely going to have our hands full.

Seems like they're overall in good health as well

 
I'll go on record: I think that Purdue wins the game (by about a touchdown.)

My reasoning: it is at home and I expect a large and enthusiastic crowd. Also, PSU has been only a 0.500 team over the past two seasons. Also, Franklin was evidently interested in the USC job. He must not be totally sold on Penn State and the fan base not sold on him. I know that he got an extension but even interest in leaving the PSU is a statement. I just think that under the surface, it is not so happy in Happy Valley.

Purdue could absolutely win by a TD.

But, on the Franklin stuff.....I'm not sure people realize how far behind Penn State is/has been on facilities for over a decade. I think most Penn State fans think he was feigning interest in USC (and LSU, and FSU) over the past few years to negotiate more money for facilities, which has worked. I don't think he was every seriously considering them. I could be wrong, maybe I'm just a homer, but as long as Penn State continued to make the investments in football (which it begrudgingly did), I don't think he was leaving his home state.

And, now we have a new AD which seems much more focused on football, rather than Olympics sports. Which, frankly, I don't love, but I don't think we'll be hearing Franklin's name come up for other jobs anymore.
 
My guesstimate is the game will be won or lost more in the trenches this time around. Should Purdue's defensive line hold up throughout the game, we win by 7. Tyrone Tracy will be a nice addition to the backfield change of pace and finding him on releases, pop passes or slot can be a great addition. Charlie Jones will be intriguing as well + our entire receiving core will be fun to watch. Hope our running game can get 125+ yards.
Being first game of the year, it likely goes to the wire.

Staying close to the line:
Purdue 28
Penn State 24
If your DL doesn't hold up, then either your DL is very bad, or I'll be pleasantly surprised by our OL.

Last year was the first year in the AP polling era that Penn State did not have a 100 yard rusher for any games all season. It was the worst OL in the conference. Pass blocking was actually decent, but once it was obvious we couldn't run the ball, DEs were just going full pass rush.

My questions for Purdue fans are:

1) Is AOC as good as his numbers show at the end of last season?
2) What are general expectations for the defense?
 
Here's a video preview I did. Thanks to Nick over at Roar Lions Roar. He really knows his stuff. Gave us a good overview of the 2022 Penn State football team. We're definitely going to have our hands full.

Seems like they're overall in good health as well

ngl, I didn't watch the full 30 minutes. But,

1) Yeah, Nick is great
2) I'm not sure that I share his optimism on the OL. Yes, getting Sal Wormley back from injury helps with one spot. And, yes, the OL shouldn't be god awful, which means it should be much improved. But, I'm not sure I'm expecting "solid".
3) fwiw, I'm predicting 23-20 Penn State, if for no other reason than I think the teams are evenly matched and I want PSU to win.
 
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ngl, I didn't watch the full 30 minutes. But,

1) Yeah, Nick is great
2) I'm not sure that I share his optimism on the OL. Yes, getting Sal Wormley back from injury helps with one spot. And, yes, the OL shouldn't be god awful, which means it should be much improved. But, I'm not sure I'm expecting "solid".
3) fwiw, I'm predicting 23-20 Penn State, if for no other reason than I think the teams are evenly matched and I want PSU to win.

Appreciate you watching and I agree it's going to be a close game. I think both teams are pretty evenly matched. Both are 8-9 win (dare I say 10) type teams in 2022
 
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If your DL doesn't hold up, then either your DL is very bad, or I'll be pleasantly surprised by our OL.

Last year was the first year in the AP polling era that Penn State did not have a 100 yard rusher for any games all season. It was the worst OL in the conference. Pass blocking was actually decent, but once it was obvious we couldn't run the ball, DEs were just going full pass rush.

My questions for Purdue fans are:

1) Is AOC as good as his numbers show at the end of last season?
2) What are general expectations for the defense?
1. Probably better. Yes, he's had some exceptional receivers, but he puts the rock in a lot of other guys hands as well. It's his field vision that's improved so much.
2. Better by numbers across the board as opposed to by position. We've got a 7th year starter! That should be worth 3 D points alone. :)
 
If your DL doesn't hold up, then either your DL is very bad, or I'll be pleasantly surprised by our OL.

Last year was the first year in the AP polling era that Penn State did not have a 100 yard rusher for any games all season. It was the worst OL in the conference. Pass blocking was actually decent, but once it was obvious we couldn't run the ball, DEs were just going full pass rush.

My questions for Purdue fans are:

1) Is AOC as good as his numbers show at the end of last season?
2) What are general expectations for the defense?
Answers:
1) Yes, AOC is very accurate. Given time, he can pick a team apart. Knock him around a bit and he'll toss a pick or two. B1G writers put him at #2 QB in the league and he has a great winning attitude. Never gives up and never pouts even in game when it isn't going well (TN last December bowl comes to mind).

2) Solid group of players overall. No NFL type of DE like Karlaftis yet, but there are good DE's with a FR being tabbed as a future NFL caliber and will see the field (Nic Caraway). DL has depth so that will help in rotations and being fresh late in the game. Unlike early Brohm years when any team with a running game would get 25-300+ yards against us. There are some quality players that may have NFL opportunities. Jalen Graham, Cory Trice, Lawrence Johnson come to mind.

What about your team? Offense, Defense and how you think it will play out?
 
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Answers:
1) Yes, AOC is very accurate. Given time, he can pick a team apart. Knock him around a bit and he'll toss a pick or two. B1G writers put him at #2 QB in the league and he has a great winning attitude. Never gives up and never pouts even in game when it isn't going well (TN last December bowl comes to mind).

2) Solid group of players overall. No NFL type of DE like Karlaftis yet, but there are good DE's with a FR being tabbed as a future NFL caliber and will see the field (Nic Caraway). DL has depth so that will help in rotations and being fresh late in the game. Unlike early Brohm years when any team with a running game would get 25-300+ yards against us. There are some quality players that may have NFL opportunities. Jalen Graham, Cory Trice, Lawrence Johnson come to mind.

What about your team? Offense, Defense and how you think it will play out?

I'm just one person, so take it all with a grain of salt. I'll try to be brief.

Offense

Penn State couldn't run the ball last year against anybody. I do expect them to be better, but that's mostly because they can't get worse. If PSU has an average run game, it'll be a big improvement.

The passing game was fine, even good, last year until defenses realized they didn't have to respect the run. The TEs were all highly recruited, but haven't put it together on the field yet. WR Parker Washington is very good, and the entire 2-deep at WR is at least solid. Clifford is back for his 14th year. He's fine...average to above average at everything, great at nothing. If there's one thing that might surprise opposing fans, it's that he's pretty athletic running the ball. He's not Trace McSorley, but he can pick up a few first downs on a broken play when necessary.

Defense

I'm very high on the DBs. I think most Penn State fans would agree that last year was our best secondary in the B1G era. We lost two starters, but overall I think the secondary is still very good.

The DL should be very good, although two starters are coming back from season ending injuries a year ago. If they pick up where they left off, it'll be one of the better DLs in the conference. If not, then things get a little iffy.

LB Curtis Jacobs is very good, but the other two LB positions are very questionable. Luckily, since Purdue passes the ball a lot, we'll be in the 4-2-5 pretty often, replacing a questionable LB position with another good DB.

STs

Replacing all punting/kicking this year, so for the most part, who knows. The presumed FG kicker, Jake Pinegar, has been around awhile and has missed multiple short FGs and at least one PAT. So in a close game, that's something to keep an eye on.

Overall / How does it play out?

I'm optimistic about Penn State's defense. AOC seems to be very good, but even Ohio State only scored 26 against Penn State last year (excluding a defensive TD). It's hard for me to see PSU giving up more than that. So the question comes down to offense, and the OL/RBs. Can they be at least average? If so, I like what Clifford and the WRs/TEs can do. If not, well...there's a reason PSU's offense finished 72nd in the SP+ last year. I'm guessing it'll be a first-to-20-wins type of game, since the best unit of the field will be PSU's defense, and the worst will be PSU's offense.

Since my head isn't sure, I'm going with my heart and saying 23-20 PSU.
 
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Not gonna lie. This game has me worried.

Brohm teams have typically started the season slow.

With the loss of Karlaftis, I'm not sure where the pass rush is coming from. I haven't heard much out of camp to dissuade that concern. I think Clifford is going to be fairly comfortable in the pocket, which is a dangerous gambit with a veteran QB. And unfortunately a couple key guys in the Purdue secondary are getting a slow start due to lingering injuries.

Also, just my opinion, but this team just seems a bit too "comfortable" coming off 9-4 and the bowl win. I am going to need to see evidence of the hunger to prove something that we saw last year.

Add it all up and its just not a combination that gives me a lot of confidence in this particular game, black-out electric night game or not. I foresee something similar to last year's ND game where the offense struggles in the red zone and the defense gives up a couple too many big plays. Maybe 31-23 PSU or something along those lines.
 
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PSU will somehow manage to cover the spread after several strange calls/no calls.
One of the biggest reasons I think we lose 27-20. This is THE opponent where we are likely to get officiating at home that is more like going into Notre dame stadium in 1987. We will probably be lucky that you can review fumbles or we’d be losing a fumble where the ball came out half an hour after the knee was down.
 
I'm just one person, so take it all with a grain of salt. I'll try to be brief.

Offense

Penn State couldn't run the ball last year against anybody. I do expect them to be better, but that's mostly because they can't get worse. If PSU has an average run game, it'll be a big improvement.

The passing game was fine, even good, last year until defenses realized they didn't have to respect the run. The TEs were all highly recruited, but haven't put it together on the field yet. WR Parker Washington is very good, and the entire 2-deep at WR is at least solid. Clifford is back for his 14th year. He's fine...average to above average at everything, great at nothing. If there's one thing that might surprise opposing fans, it's that he's pretty athletic running the ball. He's not Trace McSorley, but he can pick up a few first downs on a broken play when necessary.

Defense

I'm very high on the DBs. I think most Penn State fans would agree that last year was our best secondary in the B1G era. We lost two starters, but overall I think the secondary is still very good.

The DL should be very good, although two starters are coming back from season ending injuries a year ago. If they pick up where they left off, it'll be one of the better DLs in the conference. If not, then things get a little iffy.

LB Curtis Jacobs is very good, but the other two LB positions are very questionable. Luckily, since Purdue passes the ball a lot, we'll be in the 4-2-5 pretty often, replacing a questionable LB position with another good DB.

STs

Replacing all punting/kicking this year, so for the most part, who knows. The presumed FG kicker, Jake Pinegar, has been around awhile and has missed multiple short FGs and at least one PAT. So in a close game, that's something to keep an eye on.

Overall / How does it play out?

I'm optimistic about Penn State's defense. AOC seems to be very good, but even Ohio State only scored 26 against Penn State last year (excluding a defensive TD). It's hard for me to see PSU giving up more than that. So the question comes down to offense, and the OL/RBs. Can they be at least average? If so, I like what Clifford and the WRs/TEs can do. If not, well...there's a reason PSU's offense finished 72nd in the SP+ last year. I'm guessing it'll be a first-to-20-wins type of game, since the best unit of the field will be PSU's defense, and the worst will be PSU's offense.

Since my head isn't sure, I'm going with my heart and saying 23-20 PSU.
If mustipher is limited in any way you guys have problems. If he’s not, you don’t. I’m always going to anticipate other teams injured players will ooo and ahh the announcers with how they “look better than they did before the injury” but your bwi guys seemed to sing a different tune before camp. Then mustipher had a cryptic interview that was.. very state college PA yesterday. So who knows. You guys need to get pressure.

also it’s a rub, pick, screen offense. So the DBs need to maintain position. That said, I’m troubled by how you did against Ohio state. 33 for them and I can’t imagine we score score that much.
 
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I'm just one person, so take it all with a grain of salt. I'll try to be brief.

Offense

Penn State couldn't run the ball last year against anybody. I do expect them to be better, but that's mostly because they can't get worse. If PSU has an average run game, it'll be a big improvement.

The passing game was fine, even good, last year until defenses realized they didn't have to respect the run. The TEs were all highly recruited, but haven't put it together on the field yet. WR Parker Washington is very good, and the entire 2-deep at WR is at least solid. Clifford is back for his 14th year. He's fine...average to above average at everything, great at nothing. If there's one thing that might surprise opposing fans, it's that he's pretty athletic running the ball. He's not Trace McSorley, but he can pick up a few first downs on a broken play when necessary.

Defense

I'm very high on the DBs. I think most Penn State fans would agree that last year was our best secondary in the B1G era. We lost two starters, but overall I think the secondary is still very good.

The DL should be very good, although two starters are coming back from season ending injuries a year ago. If they pick up where they left off, it'll be one of the better DLs in the conference. If not, then things get a little iffy.

LB Curtis Jacobs is very good, but the other two LB positions are very questionable. Luckily, since Purdue passes the ball a lot, we'll be in the 4-2-5 pretty often, replacing a questionable LB position with another good DB.

STs

Replacing all punting/kicking this year, so for the most part, who knows. The presumed FG kicker, Jake Pinegar, has been around awhile and has missed multiple short FGs and at least one PAT. So in a close game, that's something to keep an eye on.

Overall / How does it play out?

I'm optimistic about Penn State's defense. AOC seems to be very good, but even Ohio State only scored 26 against Penn State last year (excluding a defensive TD). It's hard for me to see PSU giving up more than that. So the question comes down to offense, and the OL/RBs. Can they be at least average? If so, I like what Clifford and the WRs/TEs can do. If not, well...there's a reason PSU's offense finished 72nd in the SP+ last year. I'm guessing it'll be a first-to-20-wins type of game, since the best unit of the field will be PSU's defense, and the worst will be PSU's offense.

Since my head isn't sure, I'm going with my heart and saying 23-20 PSU.
I like your sense of humor.So,if Clifford is in his 14th year,how old is he?About 33?What is the feeling among Penn State fans about James Franklin right now?Are they being patient with him,or are the natives getting restless?
 
I like your sense of humor.So,if Clifford is in his 14th year,how old is he?About 33?What is the feeling among Penn State fans about James Franklin right now?Are they being patient with him,or are the natives getting restless?
A lot of them on their rivals board think he sucks. But they are balanced out by people who think it’s 1984 and penn state can take 120 kids in one recruiting class.. that they are royalty and we are peasants
 
I like your sense of humor.So,if Clifford is in his 14th year,how old is he?About 33?What is the feeling among Penn State fans about James Franklin right now?Are they being patient with him,or are the natives getting restless?

Well in case he makes an appearance, the WR Clifford is Sean's younger brother, not his son. You'd be forgiven for not being sure, though.

With Franklin, the most honest answer is that it doesn't matter. His latest contact has an absolutely stupid buyout, I think $70M or something like that? So Penn State's not firing him even if we go 0-12.

That being said, I think most fans appreciate him still. Like I said earlier, he's pulling the football facilities and operations into the 21st century, albeit against some significant headwinds. Another 7 win season would start to wear on fans pretty quickly, but I think he has a pretty long leash with most fans for pulling us out of the sanctions era not only alive, but thriving (until the COVID year).

Now, I'm not gonna lie, there's a division between some older and newer fans as well. Some of the older, and more monied, fans aren't as high on him. Frankly, given that he's Black, was supportive of the players involved with BLM in June 2020, he allows things like chains and long hair on the sidelines, etc...that absolutely rubs people the wrong way. Some of them have either stopped caring, or gotten on board, but there's still a small, but vocal/wealthy, minority that will hate on him every chance they get. And, going 7-6 is absolutely a chance to hate.

Edit: To the post above, these fans are definitely more likely to be on Rivals. The 247 board is much more reasonable, which is why I haven't posted on the Rivals board in years.
 
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I have no inside knowledge, other than being jaded as a Purdue fan for 20+ years. :D I expect some sort of disappointment (PSU rolls, Purdue blows a lead, Purdue comes up short in a furious comeback bid, or something like that). I just hope it is a good enough game to be entertaining and no one gets hurt.
 
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I have no inside knowledge, other than being jaded as a Purdue fan for 20+ years. :D I expect some sort of disappointment (PSU rolls, Purdue blows a lead, Purdue comes up short in a furious comeback bid, or something like that). I just hope it is a good enough game to be entertaining and no one gets hurt.
If you want reality go look at penn state vs Ohio state 10/30/21. Chris olave held to 44 years and a score. Garrett Wilson held to ~80. Ohio state passes for only 300 and scores 33 and pj mustipher was out.

I can make the argument that we can put together a mash unit that can come close to bell and Wright. But bell was one guy. (You can’t fix this car spicoli!! tone coming….) Milton Wright and tj sheffield weren’t as good as no Garrett Wilson and jaxon smith-njigba.

this is our toughest opponent. If we win this game by 1 the rest of our schedule should feel like they’re on notice.
 
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I'm just one person, so take it all with a grain of salt. I'll try to be brief.

Offense

Penn State couldn't run the ball last year against anybody. I do expect them to be better, but that's mostly because they can't get worse. If PSU has an average run game, it'll be a big improvement.

The passing game was fine, even good, last year until defenses realized they didn't have to respect the run. The TEs were all highly recruited, but haven't put it together on the field yet. WR Parker Washington is very good, and the entire 2-deep at WR is at least solid. Clifford is back for his 14th year. He's fine...average to above average at everything, great at nothing. If there's one thing that might surprise opposing fans, it's that he's pretty athletic running the ball. He's not Trace McSorley, but he can pick up a few first downs on a broken play when necessary.

Defense

I'm very high on the DBs. I think most Penn State fans would agree that last year was our best secondary in the B1G era. We lost two starters, but overall I think the secondary is still very good.

The DL should be very good, although two starters are coming back from season ending injuries a year ago. If they pick up where they left off, it'll be one of the better DLs in the conference. If not, then things get a little iffy.

LB Curtis Jacobs is very good, but the other two LB positions are very questionable. Luckily, since Purdue passes the ball a lot, we'll be in the 4-2-5 pretty often, replacing a questionable LB position with another good DB.

STs

Replacing all punting/kicking this year, so for the most part, who knows. The presumed FG kicker, Jake Pinegar, has been around awhile and has missed multiple short FGs and at least one PAT. So in a close game, that's something to keep an eye on.

Overall / How does it play out?

I'm optimistic about Penn State's defense. AOC seems to be very good, but even Ohio State only scored 26 against Penn State last year (excluding a defensive TD). It's hard for me to see PSU giving up more than that. So the question comes down to offense, and the OL/RBs. Can they be at least average? If so, I like what Clifford and the WRs/TEs can do. If not, well...there's a reason PSU's offense finished 72nd in the SP+ last year. I'm guessing it'll be a first-to-20-wins type of game, since the best unit of the field will be PSU's defense, and the worst will be PSU's offense.

Since my head isn't sure, I'm going with my heart and saying 23-20 PSU.
Seems like an objective review. Not complete homer.

Good luck the rest of the season, just not on Sept 1, 2022. Hope you guys can beat the piss out of Ohio State...as in curb stomp them. Anytime Ohio State gets beat is a good day in my book.
 
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One of the biggest reasons I think we lose 27-20. This is THE opponent where we are likely to get officiating at home that is more like going into Notre dame stadium in 1987. We will probably be lucky that you can review fumbles or we’d be losing a fumble where the ball came out half an hour after the knee was down.
why are we likely to get officiating of the type you are expecting?
 
It's a week away so I came over looking for a game thread. I didn't see one, so hopefully it's okay that I'm getting one started.

At any rate, what's the view on the opening game from Purdue fans? Strengths, weaknesses, predictions, etc?

Looking forward to football being back. Boiler Up (except for Thursday evening).
Is your coach done having his players fake injuries?
 
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Is your coach done having his players fake injuries?
Do you visit Jerry Sandusky regularly?Since you are accusing Purdue of faking injuries in their Bowl win over SEC opponent Tennessee you should tell us how well your Nits did in their Bowl game vs SEC opponent Arkansas.Oh,you dont want to talk about that one,?The score was Arkansas 24 PSU 10.
 
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I haven't seen any prediction of PSU winning by 20 on that board.

Most have PSU winning by 7-14, which is still too much imo. But I haven't seen anybody saying 20.
You need to check the PSU 247 board again.One guy picks PSU 45 to 17 and another one says it will be 52 to 10.
 
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Do you visit Jerry Sandusky regularly?
Doh! Agree, if they come in talking smack, give them shit right back.
Truth be told PSU likely enjoyed Boilers beating VOLS with a much shorter roster than TN.
We’ll find out who’ll be the injured team one week from tonight. Franklin’s Cinderella coach job may turn into a pumpkin at the stroke of midnight and horses to mice.
 
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