The bottom line about PSU in these games

[bdgan]

PSU doesn't have any top level WRs or pass catching TEs and Allar doesn't handle the pressure well. So Franklin was up against it against both OSU & UM.

But....

The staff hasn't helped Allar at all. They need to give him some easy 5-6 yd passes on 1st down to build his confidence. Instead the run between the tackles on 1st and second down and finally expect Allar to throw on 3rd and 6. Not good coaching IMO.

Then the other play calling. PSU had 4th and 1 and goes empty backfield instead of using your bull running back Kaytron Allen who was lined up at WR and looked confused.

Then the 2 pt conversion at the half. WTF? PSU couldn't score on 3 attempts when it was 1st and goal from the 3. They couldn't get 1 yard on 4th and 1. I don't care about the analytics in that situation. My team isn't likely to convert and a UM FG makes it an 8 pt game. Makes no sense to me.

Then with 4:30 to go PSU is 4th and 13 with 2 time outs. Franklin decides to go for it. A miss means at least a FG and an 11 pt lead for UM. That decision made no sense to me either.

Bottom line: UM has a better team but Franklin makes it tough for his young QB then he panics and makes bone headed decisions that make the task even more difficult for his team. He's a smart guy but he seems to get tight shorts when faced with tough situations.

 

[Alphalion75]

PSU doesn't have any top level WRs or pass catching TEs and Allar doesn't handle the pressure well. So Franklin was up against it against both OSU & UM.

But....

The staff hasn't helped Allar at all. They need to give him some easy 5-6 yd passes on 1st down to build his confidence. Instead the run between the tackles on 1st and second down and finally expect Allar to throw on 3rd and 6. Not good coaching IMO.

Then the other play calling. PSU had 4th and 1 and goes empty backfield instead of using your bull running back Kaytron Allen who was lined up at WR and looked confused.

Then the 2 pt conversion at the half. WTF? PSU couldn't score on 3 attempts when it was 1st and goal from the 3. They couldn't get 1 yard on 4th and 1. I don't care about the analytics in that situation. My team isn't likely to convert and a UM FG makes it an 8 pt game. Makes no sense to me.

Then with 4:30 to go PSU is 4th and 13 with 2 time outs. Franklin decides to go for it. A miss means at least a FG and an 11 pt lead for UM. That decision made no sense to me either.

Bottom line: UM has a better team but Franklin makes it tough for his young QB then he panics and makes bone headed decisions that make the task even more difficult for his team. He's a smart guy but he seems to get tight shorts when faced with tough situations.

.....and nobody on offense executes very well. They miss blocking assignments, run the wrong pass routes etc. etc.

 

[leinbacker]

Who is responsible for recruiting decent WRs?

 

[CyphaPSU]

I understand our trouble against OSU over the years given the talent gap. But even there I would still argue we should theoretically be able to come up with more than one upset per decade given the talent we do bring in.

The one that gets me the most agitated is the record against Michigan. There was a window in which we did go back-and-forth against Michigan prior to their recent run of success (which many across the country forget about), but the overall record is not where it should be for the past decade. I would argue from a talent basis alone we should not be losing as consistently as we do to them. There should theoretically be more parity than we have seen, and because of that, I always hate losing to Michigan the most. Michigan has clearly been able to develop an offensive identity far better than we have, they have been able to develop linemen far better, and they have found a big time QB.

It tells me it’s possible to get to the next level with the level we recruit at overall, but the problem for us is that we always seem to lack a complete team due to recruiting or developmental holes in critical spots: on the offensive line, QB, or DTs. This year the WR, which has usually been an area of strength for us, has now been added to the area of underdevelopment (with not much help coming by way of recruiting for next season, unfortunately).

As you can see in the rankings—which have been this way pretty consistently for the past few seasons—Michigan is not in another world from us in talent (which many people simply assume), but they are in terms of development, execution, and having an offensive identity. A couple of key positions such as DT and OG also need a to level up on the recruiting trail for PSU, but that’s been a long-term problem without.

Botton line: theoretically we should not lose year after year to Michigan based on relative talent, but there are things they simply do better (with certain key positions and coaching) that we have not found a way to match.

 

[bdgan]

Who is responsible for recruiting decent WRs?

Our TEs aren't great pass catchers either. I recall Iowa giving us fits in the past with reliable big TEs like Dallas Clark. I don't think we've had a great pass catching TE since Gesicki.

 

[Nitt1300]

I'm ready for a QB change to see what we've got.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

I'm ready for a QB change to see what we've got.

If you are not going to pass the GD ball, why not play a running QB? You may hurt someone’s feelings?

 

[Nitt1300]

If you are not going to pass the GD ball, why not play a running QB? You may hurt someone’s feelings?

I understand not passing because for whatever reason we can't- so let's run.

 

[BW Lion]

Who is responsible for recruiting decent WRs?

The Revolving Door of WR coaches?

 

[BiochemPSU]

I'm ready for a QB change to see what we've got.

Confused. You didn’t want Drew last year when Sean lost to these same teams.

 

[BW Lion]

I'm ready for a QB change to see what we've got.

Of course you would like to see...."Pribula left, Pribula right, Pribula up the middle, Pribula is down on the play and appears to be injured".

 

[Nitt1300]

Confused. You didn’t want Drew last year when Sean lost to these same teams.

I didn't think he gave us our best chance to win. You don't make a QB change lightly. Sean was a fighter; I don't see that in Drew- sorry to say.

 

[BW Lion]

If you are not going to pass the GD ball, why not play a running QB? You may hurt someone’s feelings?

James makes promises to recruits that he refuses to break. It's not what I would do, but I'm not Big Game James.

 

[CDLionFL]

Who is responsible for recruiting decent WRs?

This group has taken a notable two steps back under the new WR coach. For whatever issues Stubblefield may have had with Franklin, he at least got the receivers to quit the dropsies and he helped develop guys like Dotson and Washington into NFL-caliber receivers. It seemed KLS would be on that same arc. Dump Stubblefield for whatever reason and bring in this new guy and what development has there been? Cephas was a very adequate MAC receiver but he comes in here and can't get on the field from Day 1.

Bottom line is that you can recruit all the 4 and 5 stars you want but if you can't further develop them and scheme to put them at their best, then you're just not a good coaching staff.

 

[Shadow99]

This group has taken a notable two steps back under the new WR coach. For whatever issues Stubblefield may have had with Franklin, he at least got the receivers to quit the dropsies and he helped develop guys like Dotson and Washington into NFL-caliber receivers. It seemed KLS would be on that same arc. Dump Stubblefield for whatever reason and bring in this new guy and what development has there been? Cephas was a very adequate MAC receiver but he comes in here and can't get on the field from Day 1.

Bottom line is that you can recruit all the 4 and 5 stars you want but if you can't further develop them and scheme to put them at their best, then you're just not a good coaching staff.

First of all, none of them are 5-stars.

Second, there is a lot of justified finger-pointing at WR's, but it can't be ignored that the supposed PSU version of Trevor Lawrence was consistently behind the receivers and has certainly not played to the hype...and unfortunately tends to demonstrate the classic "deer in headlights" look. And to be honest, he didn't even seem to be under an inordinate amount of pressure; some yes, but the OL was NOT a sieve. For example, on the series that led to the game-ending turnover on downs, Saunders was open for a clear first down and was simply missed due to a significantly inaccurate pass.

 

[CDLionFL]

First of all, none of them are 5-stars.

Second, there is a lot of justified finger-pointing at WR's, but it can't be ignored that the supposed PSU version of Trevor Lawrence was consistently behind the receivers and has certainly not played to the hype...and unfortunately tends to demonstrate the classic "deer in headlights" look. And to be honest, he didn't even seem to be under an inordinate amount of pressure; some yes, but the OL was NOT a sieve. For example, on the series that led to the game-ending turnover on downs, Saunders was open for a clear first down and was simply missed due to a significantly inaccurate pass.

You are correct. It's not all on the WRs. I said this during the Indiana game that Drew does not throw his receivers open. He's also horrified to make a mistake and his throws act that way, especially in these big games. According to those in the stadium, he missed a wide open Cephas on the flea flicker and there are numerous other instances where he will have time but he'll come off his initial read too soon and go to the checkdown. There's been a ton of scrutiny, with good reason, on the WRs but there is also some responsibility on the QB to help make those guys look good.

 

[RochLion]

You are correct. It's not all on the WRs. I said this during the Indiana game that Drew does not throw his receivers open. He's also horrified to make a mistake and his throws act that way, especially in these big games. According to those in the stadium, he missed a wide open Cephas on the flea flicker and there are numerous other instances where he will have time but he'll come off his initial read too soon and go to the checkdown. There's been a ton of scrutiny, with good reason, on the WRs but there is also some responsibility on the QB to help make those guys look good.

Several times during the Indiana game receivers were wide open and Drew didn't see them. Hard to believe at 6'5", but the coaching staff is doing him no favors with the play calling either. Keep it simple for him.

 

[HarrisburgDave]

Several times during the Indiana game receivers were wide open and Drew didn't see them. Hard to believe at 6'5", but the coaching staff is doing him no favors with the play calling either. Keep it simple for him.

I’m starting to wonder if the coaches lack confidence in Mr 5* because they know more about him than we do?

 

[Tototootsi]

PSU doesn't have any top level WRs or pass catching TEs and Allar doesn't handle the pressure well. So Franklin was up against it against both OSU & UM.

But....

The staff hasn't helped Allar at all. They need to give him some easy 5-6 yd passes on 1st down to build his confidence. Instead the run between the tackles on 1st and second down and finally expect Allar to throw on 3rd and 6. Not good coaching IMO.

Then the other play calling. PSU had 4th and 1 and goes empty backfield instead of using your bull running back Kaytron Allen who was lined up at WR and looked confused.

Then the 2 pt conversion at the half. WTF? PSU couldn't score on 3 attempts when it was 1st and goal from the 3. They couldn't get 1 yard on 4th and 1. I don't care about the analytics in that situation. My team isn't likely to convert and a UM FG makes it an 8 pt game. Makes no sense to me.

Then with 4:30 to go PSU is 4th and 13 with 2 time outs. Franklin decides to go for it. A miss means at least a FG and an 11 pt lead for UM. That decision made no sense to me either.

Bottom line: UM has a better team but Franklin makes it tough for his young QB then he panics and makes bone headed decisions that make the task even more difficult for his team. He's a smart guy but he seems to get tight shorts when faced with tough situations.

Not that it mattered, but if we made the two extra points, it is a one score game at the end not a two score game. We went to the two point conversions way too early...even if we had been successful at picking up short yardage. The game played much like Ohio State. I did not feel at any time that our offense was a real threat. Hopefully we can get better the next two games, three counting a bowl game. And that will set up the mantra that 2024 is our year.