I have been following Penn State for about 40 years, and in that time, I can't remember a season like this one. I believe this is largely due to NIL.
First of all, it looks like there are about 10-12 teams that have a shot at the MNC. Penn State is one of those teams. I don't think I've ever seen the MNC race be this open before after the first month of the season.
Second, not to jinx anyone, but it feels like there are only two teams on Penn State's schedule that have a realistic shot at beating the Lions. Even during our best years in the past, it always seemed as though Penn State was in a dogfight for at least half of their games. Besides OSU and Michigan, there was always a salty Iowa, Wisky, Illinois, Minnesota, or non-conference game that we had to play. Back in the 80's, at least half of our games seemed like they were nail-biters. This may have been due to the style of play that we had, but I never felt like Penn State could take any decent team for granted, no matter how good we were. But this year, I have not been concerned in the least about WVU, Illinois, or Iowa. I feel the same way about every other team on the schedule, except for OSU and Michigan.
I believe this is all due to the NIL. The NIL system has spread out talent to the point where there is no dominant team, but about 10-12 really good teams. Meanwhile, the remainder of CFB is about 2-3 levels below those top dozen teams. This makes for a compelling MNC race, but a lot of snoozer games as well.
This isn't to say that one of the other teams on the schedule couldn't somehow jump up and beat Penn State if we turn the ball over a bunch of times, but the likelihood of that happening just seems to be so low this year. I know it is a function of how the schedule is set up, how other teams in the conference have fallen off, and how good Penn State is this year. But I just don't remember having a two-game season like this before.
First of all, it looks like there are about 10-12 teams that have a shot at the MNC. Penn State is one of those teams. I don't think I've ever seen the MNC race be this open before after the first month of the season.
Second, not to jinx anyone, but it feels like there are only two teams on Penn State's schedule that have a realistic shot at beating the Lions. Even during our best years in the past, it always seemed as though Penn State was in a dogfight for at least half of their games. Besides OSU and Michigan, there was always a salty Iowa, Wisky, Illinois, Minnesota, or non-conference game that we had to play. Back in the 80's, at least half of our games seemed like they were nail-biters. This may have been due to the style of play that we had, but I never felt like Penn State could take any decent team for granted, no matter how good we were. But this year, I have not been concerned in the least about WVU, Illinois, or Iowa. I feel the same way about every other team on the schedule, except for OSU and Michigan.
I believe this is all due to the NIL. The NIL system has spread out talent to the point where there is no dominant team, but about 10-12 really good teams. Meanwhile, the remainder of CFB is about 2-3 levels below those top dozen teams. This makes for a compelling MNC race, but a lot of snoozer games as well.
This isn't to say that one of the other teams on the schedule couldn't somehow jump up and beat Penn State if we turn the ball over a bunch of times, but the likelihood of that happening just seems to be so low this year. I know it is a function of how the schedule is set up, how other teams in the conference have fallen off, and how good Penn State is this year. But I just don't remember having a two-game season like this before.
