2 weeks and a cloud of dust

[NB4PSU]

I'm going to say this and see if anyone cares to comment. Putting aside our 2 week off (allegedly to get healed and have extra prep time) messes, I'm more fascinated that UM had so little time to prepare yet came in seeming to full well know what we were going to do. It seems this has long been the case. I think their coaches have found tendencies that allow them to get the players ready faster than normal and we only win games where our talent at the skill positions simply over-rides any edge they might have in knowing things we're going to do.

Just a thought and little more. But it seems like we come out clueless and they come out well prepared when it really (in a 2 week prep set) should be the opposite.

Curious what others think.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

We do N O T H I N G on Offense that requires any serious preparation.

No hurry-up O (we could have snapped the ball a dozen times while UMich was getting set), no toss sweeps or jet sweeps, no misdirection plays, no screen passes, no 2 or 3 back formations, no option plays, maybe 1 pass to a TE and a RB. Etc, etc, etc.

So so vanilla it’s sickening.

 

[psuro]

Michigan did what they have been doing the last couple of years. So no reason for them to change.

I think the Big Ten could help us out by scheduling Michigan and Ohio State earlier in the schedule. That way we don’t get our hopes up with 5-0 start only to see it fade away. We start out 3-2 and it’s all clear sailing after that.
Also think we should be the only team without a bye week. Clearly we cannot handle gifts like that.

 

[Classof09]

We do N O T H I N G on Offense that requires any serious preparation.

No hurry-up O (we could have snapped the ball a dozen times while UMich was getting set), no toss sweeps or jet sweeps, no misdirection plays, no screen passes, no 2 or 3 back formations, no option plays, maybe 1 pass to a TE and a RB. Etc, etc, etc.

So so vanilla it’s sickening.

This!!! It’s like we have 7 plays. @ILLINOISLION is spot on. Watch any other college game (specifically Big 12 or SEC) and you’ll see misdirection, some under center and some shotgun, lots of screens, misdirection, draws to a rb, passes to a TE, tosses out of the backfield, Qb sneaks in a rush on 2nd and 1, etc.

If Clifford is a 47 year old 9th year senior, can he not grasp this? Or is it on MY and CJF? I think the coaching. This is so bad to watch. If I never have to watch a 4 second delayed handoff to a stationary rb 7 yards deep on a shotgun snap again, I’ll die happy. And is it me or do we NEVER motion anybody? Ya know that does help determine zone or man. But when you predetermine the guy you’re going to, doesn’t matter I guess.

 

[Midnighter]

Finally getting a chance to watch the game and the D couldn’t get any stops and the O couldn’t sustain drives. Recipe for disaster. Michigan ate the clock and gobbled up our run game. We couldn’t stop their run. Their receivers weren’t much of a threat. OSU will have three NFL ready receivers out there.

 

[Connorpozlee]

I having nothing useful to share but I did want to say that I love the thread title. It made me laugh.

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

We do N O T H I N G on Offense that requires any serious preparation.

No hurry-up O (we could have snapped the ball a dozen times while UMich was getting set), no toss sweeps or jet sweeps, no misdirection plays, no screen passes, no 2 or 3 back formations, no option plays, maybe 1 pass to a TE and a RB. Etc, etc, etc.

So so vanilla it’s sickening.

That Yurcich guy is an effing genius!

 

[BrucePa]

Penn State gets manhandled on both sides of the line of scrimmage by teams that just play O-line and D-line better, stronger, faster, nastier, and uglier.

 

[rudedude]

This was on a Lion’s Den post for those questioning MY


Hmmmm…….

About Yurcich. Dan Orlovsky said during the northwestern game that MY told him that Franklin wouldnt let him take off the training wheels or something to that point, concerning the play calling

 

[MacNit]

I'm going to say this and see if anyone cares to comment. Putting aside our 2 week off (allegedly to get healed and have extra prep time) messes, I'm more fascinated that UM had so little time to prepare yet came in seeming to full well know what we were going to do. It seems this has long been the case. I think their coaches have found tendencies that allow them to get the players ready faster than normal and we only win games where our talent at the skill positions simply over-rides any edge they might have in knowing things we're going to do.

Just a thought and little more. But it seems like we come out clueless and they come out well prepared when it really (in a 2 week prep set) should be the opposite.

Curious what others think.

We were bullied. Hard stop.

 

[NB4PSU]

So many moments but one stood out for me. We just took the lead 17-16 and managed to F that up fast. 22-17, UM goes for 2 and sets up about as plain jane as possib;e. Receiver comes in motion toward QB who simply tosses it (pitch and catch) and the guy trots into the EZ... no one in the 3 region zip code. At that point i knew we were toast.

 

[PrtLng Lion]

And this is essentially the same story week after week. Next to zero creativity or adaptations for the offense. So many other teams move the ball at will on us with “dink and dunk” short passes. Why don’t we do so? If the secondary is giving receivers any cushion this is a 5-yd gimme. Instead we opt to go for fade routes that I don’t think Clifford can consistently throw. Something just doesn’t seem right here. Methinks our OC is handcuffed by CJF.

 

[SLion_on3]

And this is essentially the same story week after week. Next to zero creativity or adaptations for the offense. So many other teams move the ball at will on us with “dink and dunk” short passes. Why don’t we do so? If the secondary is giving receivers any cushion this is a 5-yd gimme. Instead we opt to go for fade routes that I don’t think Clifford can consistently throw. Something just doesn’t seem right here. Methinks our OC is handcuffed by CJF.

The fade route tells us all you need to know..Franklin has to show that it will work one of these years. His ego is fragile.

 

[TheBigUglies]

This was on a Lion’s Den post for those questioning MY


Hmmmm…….

About Yurcich. Dan Orlovsky said during the northwestern game that MY told him that Franklin wouldnt let him take off the training wheels or something to that point, concerning the play calling

I knew it. This also explains the constantly changing OC. I guess he let Moorehead run what he wanted but then put the clamps on those that followed to run the same thing because it almost worked.(Trace and Saquon were diff athletes then we have now though).

 

[TheBigUglies]

This!!! It’s like we have 7 plays. @ILLINOISLION is spot on. Watch any other college game (specifically Big 12 or SEC) and you’ll see misdirection, some under center and some shotgun, lots of screens, misdirection, draws to a rb, passes to a TE, tosses out of the backfield, Qb sneaks in a rush on 2nd and 1, etc.

If Clifford is a 47 year old 9th year senior, can he not grasp this? Or is it on MY and CJF? I think the coaching. This is so bad to watch. If I never have to watch a 4 second delayed handoff to a stationary rb 7 yards deep on a shotgun snap again, I’ll die happy. And is it me or do we NEVER motion anybody? Ya know that does help determine zone or man. But when you predetermine the guy you’re going to, doesn’t matter I guess.

As much as I am tired of Clifford, this is not all his fault. This is all on Franklin. We have been getting the same old same old every season now for many seasons and the opposition can probably see that. We have athletes that go on to the pros and do well but when they are here they are just average or less(especially the OL).

 

[psuno1]

As much as I am tired of Clifford, this is not all his fault. This is all on Franklin. We have been getting the same old same old every season now for many seasons and the opposition can probably see that. We have athletes that go on to the pros and do well but when they are here they are just average or less(especially the OL).

Its called coaching and Franklin is not a good one.

 

[Bwifan]

As much as I am tired of Clifford, this is not all his fault. This is all on Franklin. We have been getting the same old same old every season now for many seasons and the opposition can probably see that. We have athletes that go on to the pros and do well but when they are here they are just average or less(especially the OL).

Good Points... I have been thinking about this and I guess mainly people inside the football team would know the true answer. But Yurcich has been successful everywhere he has been and put up big numbers. Including schools outside OSU with less talent. Do you think it's MY and JF don't have the confidence in Clifford to be more creative on offense with sets and motions? More of a air raid offense? Is it JF holding MY back saying he doesn't want that type of offense? I am trying to figure out why this offense seems so easy to prepare. Maybe we find out next year with Allar if MY really opens things up? I was hopeful when MY was hired. He has been successful everywhere he has been with big offensive numbers. The common theme seems to be JF.

 

[psuno1]

This was on a Lion’s Den post for those questioning MY


Hmmmm…….

About Yurcich. Dan Orlovsky said during the northwestern game that MY told him that Franklin wouldnt let him take off the training wheels or something to that point, concerning the play calling

If this is true what are they waiting on an 8th year super senior Qb?

 

[PSU87]

So many moments but one stood out for me. We just took the lead 17-16 and managed to F that up fast. 22-17, UM goes for 2 and sets up about as plain jane as possib;e. Receiver comes in motion toward QB who simply tosses it (pitch and catch) and the guy trots into the EZ... no one in the 3 region zip code. At that point i knew we were toast.

It's the little things too. Right after going up 17-16, we proceed to kick the ball out of bounds handing them 10-15 yards of field position. Seems to be an ongoing problem....we just seem to hate momentum.

 

[Bwifan]

It's the little things too. Right after going up 17-16, we proceed to kick the ball out of bounds handing them 10-15 yards of field position. Seems to be an ongoing problem....we just seem to hate momentum.

The kickoffs especially this year have been dismal, FG team meh but seem to be getting better. Punting is stellar. Kickoffs have been horrific and not sure why. They have tried multiple kickers and all seem to kick it out of bounds or have really short kick offs.

 

[ManxomeLion]

So many other teams move the ball at will on us with “dink and dunk” short passes. Why don’t we do so? If the secondary is giving receivers any cushion this is a 5-yd gimme. Instead we opt to go for fade routes that I don’t think Clifford can consistently throw. Something just doesn’t seem right here.

Dinking and dunking is the opposite of "explosive plays" therefore I suspect they're de-emphasized. It's why the offense has a tendency to go 3 and out so often. IMHO ball control and field position don't mean as much under Franklin's system.

 

[Bvillebaron]

This was on a Lion’s Den post for those questioning MY


Hmmmm…….

About Yurcich. Dan Orlovsky said during the northwestern game that MY told him that Franklin wouldnt let him take off the training wheels or something to that point, concerning the play calling

I seriously doubt that.

 

[Bvillebaron]

It's the little things too. Right after going up 17-16, we proceed to kick the ball out of bounds handing them 10-15 yards of field position. Seems to be an ongoing problem....we just seem to hate momentum.

Yeah and Porter stops a player for a 5 yard gain and drives him back and dumps him for an obvious and unnecessary personal foul on the first play of the game.

 

[psu31trap]

I think there needs to be an emphasis on recruiting bigger DT’s. I would even consider the portal to see if one or two of these kids are available. The difference in the second half was Michigan’s superior size on the OL and to some extent their DL. In my opinion the team never gave up, it just looks that way when you’re up against bigger and stronger athletes.

 

[PSUwolf]

I think there needs to be an emphasis on recruiting bigger DT’s. I would even consider the portal to see if one or two of these kids are available. The difference in the second half was Michigan’s superior size on the OL and to some extent their DL. In my opinion the team never gave up, it just looks that way when you’re up against bigger and stronger athletes.

This is all going to be a rinse and repeat in a couple of weeks with OSU - probably even worse. I read on Eleven Warriors that their new DC's philosophy is to put constant pressure up front on the QB and plug up the holes with LBs and an occasional safety thus leaving their CBs one on one with WRs. He says if they get beat by big plays 3 or 4 times a game - so be it. Larry Johnson rotates 11 to 12 DL a game to make this all possible.

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

I think coaching staff Was saving the good plays for Minnesota game

 

[psuno1]

Dinking and dunking is the opposite of "explosive plays" therefore I suspect they're de-emphasized. It's why the offense has a tendency to go 3 and out so often. IMHO ball control and field position don't mean as much under Franklin's system.

You have to have the players to have explosive plays, right now PSU might have one player that can do that is true freshman running back Singleton and that is it.

Yeah and Porter stops a player for a 5 yard gain and drives him back and dumps him for an obvious and unnecessary personal foul on the first play of the game.

Knew on the first play PSU was going to lose, no discipline or fundamentals.

 

[baltimorened]

This!!! It’s like we have 7 plays. @ILLINOISLION is spot on. Watch any other college game (specifically Big 12 or SEC) and you’ll see misdirection, some under center and some shotgun, lots of screens, misdirection, draws to a rb, passes to a TE, tosses out of the backfield, Qb sneaks in a rush on 2nd and 1, etc.

If Clifford is a 47 year old 9th year senior, can he not grasp this? Or is it on MY and CJF? I think the coaching. This is so bad to watch. If I never have to watch a 4 second delayed handoff to a stationary rb 7 yards deep on a shotgun snap again, I’ll die happy. And is it me or do we NEVER motion anybody? Ya know that does help determine zone or man. But when you predetermine the guy you’re going to, doesn’t matter I guess.

when was the last time penn state ran a play with two pulling offensive linemen who actually blocked (or at least stood in front of a defender) on a run play? We at least ran some traps against auburn, but not much since (it seems)

 

[Classof09]

when was the last time penn state ran a play with two pulling offensive linemen who actually blocked (or at least stood in front of a defender) on a run play? We at least ran some traps against auburn, but not much since (it seems)

What about when we had to OL block each other? That may have been under BOB. How I miss BOB’s offensive play calling.

 

[Psu00]

We do N O T H I N G on Offense that requires any serious preparation.

No hurry-up O (we could have snapped the ball a dozen times while UMich was getting set), no toss sweeps or jet sweeps, no misdirection plays, no screen passes, no 2 or 3 back formations, no option plays, maybe 1 pass to a TE and a RB. Etc, etc, etc.

So so vanilla it’s sickening.

This ^^^. Two weeks to prepare and nothing new was added to take Michigan by surprise or try to shake things up. No trick plays. It’s like they have the same 7 plays that they just run over and over and over. No matter how much they fail they just hope that eventually someone will pull out a big play.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

This ^^^. Two weeks to prepare and nothing new was added to take Michigan by surprise or try to shake things up. No trick plays. It’s like they have the same 7 plays that they just run over and over and over. No matter how much they fail they just hope that eventually someone will pull out a big play.

SEVEN plays? You’re being overly generous, the same play to the other side doesn’t count HAHA!