What criteria meets your definition of a good year for Penn State football?

[saturdaysarebetter]

What criteria meets your definition of a good year for Penn State football? There are those that feel nothing less than a national championship is satisfactory. I place those morons with unrealistic expectations on ignore immediately. Is it a NY 6 Bowl game? A NY 6 bowl win? A Big 10 Championship? A top-10 ranking? Beating Ohio State? A 10-win season? Making the college football playoff? Making it to the Big 10 Championship Game? A combination of the aforementioned?

To me, it's been a 10-win season with a NY6 bowl game and even more so with a NY6 bowl win, and beginning in 2024, to me it's now a 10-win season and making the college football playoff. Sign me up for that every year.

Which schools had the most good years (10 wins & a bowl game win (not necessarily NY6) or playoff win) since 1950? And before you think that sounds easy, keep in mind there have been 74 football seasons played since 1950.

27 – Alabama (’52, ’61, ’62, ’66, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’86, ’91, ’92, 94, ’96, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20, ’21, ’22, ‘23) not including ’93 and ’05 both vacated.

20 – Georgia (’59, ’66, ’71, ’80, ’83, ’92, ’97, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’07, ’08, ’12, ’14, ’15, ’17, ’19, ’21, ’22, ‘23)

20 – Penn State (’68, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’74, ’77, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’86, ’91, ’93, ’94, ’96, ’99, ’05, ’09, ’17, ’19, ‘22)

19 – Oklahoma (’55, ’57, ’58, ’67, ’71, ’75, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’85, ’86, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’10, ’11, ’13, 16, ’21) (’54 & ’56 consecutive bowl appearances prohibited by conference.)

17 – Florida State (’77, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’97, ’99, ’10, ’12, ’13, ’16, ‘22)

17 – USC (’52, ’62, ’67, ’69, ’72, ’74, ’76, ’78, ’79, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’13, ’16)

15 – Nebraska (’63, ’70, ’71, ’80, ’82, ’84, ’86, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’99, ’00, ’03, ’09)

16 – Ohio State (’54, ’68, ’73, ’86, ’93, ’96, ’98, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’09, ’14, ’15, ’17, ’18, ’21)

15 – Texas (’61, ’63, ’64, ’69, ’72, ’75, ’81, ’01, ’02, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’18)

14 – Clemson (’78, ’81, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’18, ’19, ’21)

14 – LSU (’58, ’61, ’87, ’96, ’01, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’10, ’13, ’18. ’19, ’22, ‘23)

13 – Notre Dame (’70, ’73, ’74, ’77, ’88, ’89, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’15, ’17, ’19, ‘23)

13 – Tennessee (’50, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’87, ’89, ’95, ’96, ’98, ’01, ’04, ’07, ‘22)

12 – Washington (’59, ’60, ’77, ’79, ’81, ’82, ’84, ’90, ’91, ’00, ’22, ‘23)

10 – Florida (’93, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’01, ’06, ’08, ’09, ’18, ’19)

10 – Oregon (’00, ’01, ’08, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’19, ’22, ‘23)

10 – Wisconsin (’93, ’98, ’99, ’05, ’06, ’09, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17)

9 – Auburn (’72, ’74, ’83, ’86, ’89, ’97, ’04, ’06, ’10)

9 – Miami (’83, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’00, ’01, ’03)

9 – Michigan (’80, ’85, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’02, ’11, ’15, ‘23)

7 – UCLA (’82, ’87, ’88, ’97, ’05, ’13, ’14)

Care to toughen up the criteria?
Which schools had the most very good years (1 loss or less & a major bowl game or playoff win) since 1950?

18 – Alabama (’61, ’62, ’65, ’66, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’92, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’20, ’21)

12 – Oklahoma (’53, ’55, ’57, ’58, ’67, ’71, ’75, ’78, ’79, ’83, ’86, ’00)

(’54 and ’56 could not make consecutive bowl appearance as conference champion.)

12 – USC (’52, ’62, ’67, ’69, ’72, ’74, ’76, ’78, ’79, ’03, ’04, ’08)

11 – Ohio State (’54, ’57, ’68, ’73, ’96, ’98, ’02, ’14, ’15, ’18, ’20)

(’61 opted not to go to Rose Bowl and in ’10 wins were vacated)

10 – Texas (’61, ’63, ’64, ’68, ’69, ’72, ’81, ’04, ’05, ’08)

9 – Washington (’59, ’60, ’77, ’81, ’84, ’90, ’91, ’00, ‘23)

8 – Florida State (’87, ’88, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’97, ’99, ’13)

8 – Georgia (’59, ’66, ’80, ’83, ’02, ’21, ’22, ‘23)

8 – Nebraska (’63, ’70, ’71, ’82, ’94, ’95, ’97, ’99)

8 – Penn State (’68, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’82, ’86, ’94, ’05)

7 – Miami (’83, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’91, ’00, ’01)

7- Notre Dame (’70, ’73, ’77, ’88, ’89, ’92, ’93)

(’53 and ’66 Notre Dame chose to not go to a bowl game)

6 – Clemson (’50, ’81, ’15, ’16, ’18, ’ 19)

5 – LSU (’58, ’61, ’62, ’03, ’19)

5 – Tennessee (’50, ’70, ’85, ’89, ’98)

4 – Auburn (’83, ’87* tie in Sugar Bowl, ’04, ’10)

4 – Florida (’96, ’06, ’08, ’09)

4 – Michigan (’64, ’92, ’97, ‘23)

3 – Arkansas (’64, ’68, ’77)

3 – Michigan State (’53, ’55, ’13)

(’66 could not go to the Rose Bowl consecutive years as conference champion.)

3 – Wisconsin (’93, ’98, ’17)

So what criteria meets your definition of a good year for Penn State football?

 

[bdgan]

Good year would be a college football playoff and at least 1 win.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

First round playoff win and beat USC

 

[Midnighter]

What criteria meets your definition of a good year for Penn State football? There are those that feel nothing less than a national championship is satisfactory. I place those morons with unrealistic expectations on ignore immediately. Is it a NY 6 Bowl game? A NY 6 bowl win? A Big 10 Championship? A top-10 ranking? Beating Ohio State? A 10-win season? Making the college football playoff? Making it to the Big 10 Championship Game? A combination of the aforementioned?

To me, it's been a 10-win season with a NY6 bowl game and even more so with a NY6 bowl win, and beginning in 2024, to me it's now a 10-win season and making the college football playoff. Sign me up for that every year.

Which schools had the most good years (10 wins & a bowl game win (not necessarily NY6) or playoff win) since 1950? And before you think that sounds easy, keep in mind there have been 74 football seasons played since 1950.

27 – Alabama (’52, ’61, ’62, ’66, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’86, ’91, ’92, 94, ’96, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20, ’21, ’22, ‘23) not including ’93 and ’05 both vacated.

20 – Georgia (’59, ’66, ’71, ’80, ’83, ’92, ’97, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’07, ’08, ’12, ’14, ’15, ’17, ’19, ’21, ’22, ‘23)

20 – Penn State (’68, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’74, ’77, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’86, ’91, ’93, ’94, ’96, ’99, ’05, ’09, ’17, ’19, ‘22)

19 – Oklahoma (’55, ’57, ’58, ’67, ’71, ’75, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’85, ’86, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’10, ’11, ’13, 16, ’21) (’54 & ’56 consecutive bowl appearances prohibited by conference.)

17 – Florida State (’77, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’97, ’99, ’10, ’12, ’13, ’16, ‘22)

17 – USC (’52, ’62, ’67, ’69, ’72, ’74, ’76, ’78, ’79, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’13, ’16)

15 – Nebraska (’63, ’70, ’71, ’80, ’82, ’84, ’86, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’99, ’00, ’03, ’09)

16 – Ohio State (’54, ’68, ’73, ’86, ’93, ’96, ’98, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’09, ’14, ’15, ’17, ’18, ’21)

15 – Texas (’61, ’63, ’64, ’69, ’72, ’75, ’81, ’01, ’02, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’18)

14 – Clemson (’78, ’81, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’18, ’19, ’21)

14 – LSU (’58, ’61, ’87, ’96, ’01, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’10, ’13, ’18. ’19, ’22, ‘23)

13 – Notre Dame (’70, ’73, ’74, ’77, ’88, ’89, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’15, ’17, ’19, ‘23)

13 – Tennessee (’50, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’87, ’89, ’95, ’96, ’98, ’01, ’04, ’07, ‘22)

12 – Washington (’59, ’60, ’77, ’79, ’81, ’82, ’84, ’90, ’91, ’00, ’22, ‘23)

10 – Florida (’93, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’01, ’06, ’08, ’09, ’18, ’19)

10 – Oregon (’00, ’01, ’08, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’19, ’22, ‘23)

10 – Wisconsin (’93, ’98, ’99, ’05, ’06, ’09, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17)

9 – Auburn (’72, ’74, ’83, ’86, ’89, ’97, ’04, ’06, ’10)

9 – Miami (’83, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’00, ’01, ’03)

9 – Michigan (’80, ’85, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’02, ’11, ’15, ‘23)

7 – UCLA (’82, ’87, ’88, ’97, ’05, ’13, ’14)

Care to toughen up the criteria?
Which schools had the most very good years (1 loss or less & a major bowl game or playoff win) since 1950?

18 – Alabama (’61, ’62, ’65, ’66, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’92, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’20, ’21)

12 – Oklahoma (’53, ’55, ’57, ’58, ’67, ’71, ’75, ’78, ’79, ’83, ’86, ’00)

(’54 and ’56 could not make consecutive bowl appearance as conference champion.)

12 – USC (’52, ’62, ’67, ’69, ’72, ’74, ’76, ’78, ’79, ’03, ’04, ’08)

11 – Ohio State (’54, ’57, ’68, ’73, ’96, ’98, ’02, ’14, ’15, ’18, ’20)

(’61 opted not to go to Rose Bowl and in ’10 wins were vacated)

10 – Texas (’61, ’63, ’64, ’68, ’69, ’72, ’81, ’04, ’05, ’08)

9 – Washington (’59, ’60, ’77, ’81, ’84, ’90, ’91, ’00, ‘23)

8 – Florida State (’87, ’88, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’97, ’99, ’13)

8 – Georgia (’59, ’66, ’80, ’83, ’02, ’21, ’22, ‘23)

8 – Nebraska (’63, ’70, ’71, ’82, ’94, ’95, ’97, ’99)

8 – Penn State (’68, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’82, ’86, ’94, ’05)

7 – Miami (’83, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’91, ’00, ’01)

7- Notre Dame (’70, ’73, ’77, ’88, ’89, ’92, ’93)

(’53 and ’66 Notre Dame chose to not go to a bowl game)

6 – Clemson (’50, ’81, ’15, ’16, ’18, ’ 19)

5 – LSU (’58, ’61, ’62, ’03, ’19)

5 – Tennessee (’50, ’70, ’85, ’89, ’98)

4 – Auburn (’83, ’87* tie in Sugar Bowl, ’04, ’10)

4 – Florida (’96, ’06, ’08, ’09)

4 – Michigan (’64, ’92, ’97, ‘23)

3 – Arkansas (’64, ’68, ’77)

3 – Michigan State (’53, ’55, ’13)

(’66 could not go to the Rose Bowl consecutive years as conference champion.)

3 – Wisconsin (’93, ’98, ’17)

So what criteria meets your definition of a good year for Penn State football?

Double digit wins and you get one against a big time rival (OSU, Michigan). You have ‘good’ losses if you have to lose. Win the bowl and or at least one playoff game (making it the first time is enough for this year). Have an All American or two and maybe someone in the Heisman conversation. Don’t be forced to fire yet another incompetent OC.

 

[s1uggo72]

12-0 NC

 

[fairgambit]

Since I have stopped caring about results, I would say the year we have the hottest female cheerleaders in the BigTen. Recruit some 5 star gals from California and Florida. Go into the portal and lure away some hotties from the SEC and cheer factories like USC. Get some serious NIL money involved. Get the hottest girls and 5 star players will follow. Yes. I am serious.

 

[Nitt1300]

10 wins, same as it's always been

 

[BobPSU92]

 

[BobPSU92]

12-0 NC

That happens almost every year. How about we be original? Let’s stand out from the rest.

 

[blion72]

Good year would be a college football playoff and at least 1 win.

same as what I would say. baseline is making playoff

 

[Nittany1865Farmer]

A good year would be double-digit wins, beat USC and at the least OSU or Michigan and not have a game in which we are comfortably ahead for three quarters and then totally shat the bed and lose the game in the fourth quarter due to bad clock management or very questionable play-calling by the sidelines..... I know that is asking a lot, but we deserve to get the breaks sometimes!

 

[razpsu]

10 wins are not what they were years ago due to more games. So,

11 wins or more seasons. That is the criteria.
May soon be 12 as 12 team playoffs are here. 17? Would be required to win it all?

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

What criteria meets your definition of a good year for Penn State football? There are those that feel nothing less than a national championship is satisfactory. I place those morons with unrealistic expectations on ignore immediately. Is it a NY 6 Bowl game? A NY 6 bowl win? A Big 10 Championship? A top-10 ranking? Beating Ohio State? A 10-win season? Making the college football playoff? Making it to the Big 10 Championship Game? A combination of the aforementioned?

To me, it's been a 10-win season with a NY6 bowl game and even more so with a NY6 bowl win, and beginning in 2024, to me it's now a 10-win season and making the college football playoff. Sign me up for that every year.

Which schools had the most good years (10 wins & a bowl game win (not necessarily NY6) or playoff win) since 1950? And before you think that sounds easy, keep in mind there have been 74 football seasons played since 1950.

27 – Alabama (’52, ’61, ’62, ’66, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’86, ’91, ’92, 94, ’96, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20, ’21, ’22, ‘23) not including ’93 and ’05 both vacated.

20 – Georgia (’59, ’66, ’71, ’80, ’83, ’92, ’97, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’07, ’08, ’12, ’14, ’15, ’17, ’19, ’21, ’22, ‘23)

20 – Penn State (’68, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’74, ’77, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’86, ’91, ’93, ’94, ’96, ’99, ’05, ’09, ’17, ’19, ‘22)

19 – Oklahoma (’55, ’57, ’58, ’67, ’71, ’75, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’85, ’86, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’10, ’11, ’13, 16, ’21) (’54 & ’56 consecutive bowl appearances prohibited by conference.)

17 – Florida State (’77, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’97, ’99, ’10, ’12, ’13, ’16, ‘22)

17 – USC (’52, ’62, ’67, ’69, ’72, ’74, ’76, ’78, ’79, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’13, ’16)

15 – Nebraska (’63, ’70, ’71, ’80, ’82, ’84, ’86, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’99, ’00, ’03, ’09)

16 – Ohio State (’54, ’68, ’73, ’86, ’93, ’96, ’98, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’09, ’14, ’15, ’17, ’18, ’21)

15 – Texas (’61, ’63, ’64, ’69, ’72, ’75, ’81, ’01, ’02, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’18)

14 – Clemson (’78, ’81, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’18, ’19, ’21)

14 – LSU (’58, ’61, ’87, ’96, ’01, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’10, ’13, ’18. ’19, ’22, ‘23)

13 – Notre Dame (’70, ’73, ’74, ’77, ’88, ’89, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’15, ’17, ’19, ‘23)

13 – Tennessee (’50, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’87, ’89, ’95, ’96, ’98, ’01, ’04, ’07, ‘22)

12 – Washington (’59, ’60, ’77, ’79, ’81, ’82, ’84, ’90, ’91, ’00, ’22, ‘23)

10 – Florida (’93, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’01, ’06, ’08, ’09, ’18, ’19)

10 – Oregon (’00, ’01, ’08, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’19, ’22, ‘23)

10 – Wisconsin (’93, ’98, ’99, ’05, ’06, ’09, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17)

9 – Auburn (’72, ’74, ’83, ’86, ’89, ’97, ’04, ’06, ’10)

9 – Miami (’83, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’00, ’01, ’03)

9 – Michigan (’80, ’85, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’02, ’11, ’15, ‘23)

7 – UCLA (’82, ’87, ’88, ’97, ’05, ’13, ’14)

Care to toughen up the criteria?
Which schools had the most very good years (1 loss or less & a major bowl game or playoff win) since 1950?

18 – Alabama (’61, ’62, ’65, ’66, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’92, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’20, ’21)

12 – Oklahoma (’53, ’55, ’57, ’58, ’67, ’71, ’75, ’78, ’79, ’83, ’86, ’00)

(’54 and ’56 could not make consecutive bowl appearance as conference champion.)

12 – USC (’52, ’62, ’67, ’69, ’72, ’74, ’76, ’78, ’79, ’03, ’04, ’08)

11 – Ohio State (’54, ’57, ’68, ’73, ’96, ’98, ’02, ’14, ’15, ’18, ’20)

(’61 opted not to go to Rose Bowl and in ’10 wins were vacated)

10 – Texas (’61, ’63, ’64, ’68, ’69, ’72, ’81, ’04, ’05, ’08)

9 – Washington (’59, ’60, ’77, ’81, ’84, ’90, ’91, ’00, ‘23)

8 – Florida State (’87, ’88, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’97, ’99, ’13)

8 – Georgia (’59, ’66, ’80, ’83, ’02, ’21, ’22, ‘23)

8 – Nebraska (’63, ’70, ’71, ’82, ’94, ’95, ’97, ’99)

8 – Penn State (’68, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’82, ’86, ’94, ’05)

7 – Miami (’83, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’91, ’00, ’01)

7- Notre Dame (’70, ’73, ’77, ’88, ’89, ’92, ’93)

(’53 and ’66 Notre Dame chose to not go to a bowl game)

6 – Clemson (’50, ’81, ’15, ’16, ’18, ’ 19)

5 – LSU (’58, ’61, ’62, ’03, ’19)

5 – Tennessee (’50, ’70, ’85, ’89, ’98)

4 – Auburn (’83, ’87* tie in Sugar Bowl, ’04, ’10)

4 – Florida (’96, ’06, ’08, ’09)

4 – Michigan (’64, ’92, ’97, ‘23)

3 – Arkansas (’64, ’68, ’77)

3 – Michigan State (’53, ’55, ’13)

(’66 could not go to the Rose Bowl consecutive years as conference champion.)

3 – Wisconsin (’93, ’98, ’17)

So what criteria meets your definition of a good year for Penn State football?

It would take me a year to read this post!

 

[CDLionFL]

For me, the goalposts moved as the years went on and the game evolved.

Prior to the Big Ten -- Double digit wins, beat Pitt, NYD bowl game

Big Ten prior to BCS -- win the conference was the big goal, beating at least one of OSU & Michigan would be a solid year

Big Ten with the BCS -- NYD bowl game, beat at least one of OSU/Michigan

Dark Years -- finish .500

2005-2008 -- get back to respectability and win bowl games

2009-sanctions -- win the conference and beat those two clowns

Sanctions -- win as many games as possible to piss off the establishment

Post-sanctions-2016 -- 8 wins, a good bowl game, pick off OSU and/or Michigan

2017-now -- make it to Indy was the biggest goal and if not that, win an NY6 game

Now -- Make the playoff

I think you will see a lot more coach turnover across the power 5 conferences if a team goes more than 3 (maybe even 2) seasons without making it into the playoff. While that may be some unreasonable expectations, we've certainly seen how crazy various fanbases will get.

 

[GrimReaper]

For me, the goalposts moved as the years went on and the game evolved.

Prior to the Big Ten -- Double digit wins, beat Pitt, NYD bowl game

Big Ten prior to BCS -- win the conference was the big goal, beating at least one of OSU & Michigan would be a solid year

Big Ten with the BCS -- NYD bowl game, beat at least one of OSU/Michigan

Dark Years -- finish .500

2005-2008 -- get back to respectability and win bowl games

2009-sanctions -- win the conference and beat those two clowns

Sanctions -- win as many games as possible to piss off the establishment

Post-sanctions-2016 -- 8 wins, a good bowl game, pick off OSU and/or Michigan

2017-now -- make it to Indy was the biggest goal and if not that, win an NY6 game

Now -- Make the playoff

I think you will see a lot more coach turnover across the power 5 conferences if a team goes more than 3 (maybe even 2) seasons without making it into the playoff. While that may be some unreasonable expectations, we've certainly seen how crazy various fanbases will get.

FWIW, making the playoffs now is akin to making an NY6 bowl.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

10 wins, same as it's always been

Whoah now the wins only count versus top 5 teams. TIC. 10 wins will work and get PSU into the postseason.

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

It would take me a year to read this post!

It's the off-season you have time. Evelyn Wood perhaps?

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

It's the off-season you have time. Evelyn Wood perhaps?

Is she good lookin’?

 

[ChandlerPearce58]

I want quality play....no blowout losses...no major injuries...no player arrests....and make the playoffs. I will add that i agree with other posters that NIL is making the "bagman" payouts legal and PSU does not have that perfected thus coaching up the 3* and 4* players is critical....we cannot afford coaching hire misses

 

[CDLionFL]

FWIW, making the playoffs now is akin to making an NY6 bowl.

Maybe so but now it means a ton more (apologies to the SEC) because instead of opting out of the Peach Bowl, the whole roster will be available to try to win the whole thing.

 

[GrimReaper]

Maybe so but now it means a ton more (apologies to the SEC) because instead of opting out of the Peach Bowl, the whole roster will be available to try to win the whole thing.

In terms of seasonal accomplishment, which was the question posed by the OP, making the playoff is no different than making a NY6 bowl. What takes place afterward is another measure. Will be interesting to see the decisions that players make when they come to grips with the prospect
of playing 3-4 post-season games as opposed to 2.

 

[Nitknee]

I grade all our teams on Big Ten Championships. If they win season or tournament, it’s a great year! If not, it’s an average season or worse.

 

[Nitt1300]

I grade all our teams on Big Ten Championships. If they win season or tournament, it’s a great year! If not, it’s an average season or worse.

so since 1993 we've had four decent seasons- four

 

[Nitknee]

so since 1993 we've had four decent seasons- four

 

[Nitknee]

I said great seasons are winning the Big Ten Championships that’s what I judge our teams by. A lot of good wins and fun times in between but not much of a fan on participation awards.
Still buy my Club Seats and go to Bowl games but if you want to know how I judge our teams performance it’s by winning something that matters.
Maybe it’s because I’m surrounded by Big Ten people living in the Midwest, don’t win many arguments out here being 3rd in the conference every year!

 

[pap]

What criteria meets your definition of a good year for Penn State football? There are those that feel nothing less than a national championship is satisfactory. I place those morons with unrealistic expectations on ignore immediately. Is it a NY 6 Bowl game? A NY 6 bowl win? A Big 10 Championship? A top-10 ranking? Beating Ohio State? A 10-win season? Making the college football playoff? Making it to the Big 10 Championship Game? A combination of the aforementioned?

To me, it's been a 10-win season with a NY6 bowl game and even more so with a NY6 bowl win, and beginning in 2024, to me it's now a 10-win season and making the college football playoff. Sign me up for that every year.

Which schools had the most good years (10 wins & a bowl game win (not necessarily NY6) or playoff win) since 1950? And before you think that sounds easy, keep in mind there have been 74 football seasons played since 1950.

27 – Alabama (’52, ’61, ’62, ’66, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’86, ’91, ’92, 94, ’96, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20, ’21, ’22, ‘23) not including ’93 and ’05 both vacated.

20 – Georgia (’59, ’66, ’71, ’80, ’83, ’92, ’97, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’07, ’08, ’12, ’14, ’15, ’17, ’19, ’21, ’22, ‘23)

20 – Penn State (’68, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’74, ’77, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’86, ’91, ’93, ’94, ’96, ’99, ’05, ’09, ’17, ’19, ‘22)

19 – Oklahoma (’55, ’57, ’58, ’67, ’71, ’75, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’85, ’86, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’10, ’11, ’13, 16, ’21) (’54 & ’56 consecutive bowl appearances prohibited by conference.)

17 – Florida State (’77, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’97, ’99, ’10, ’12, ’13, ’16, ‘22)

17 – USC (’52, ’62, ’67, ’69, ’72, ’74, ’76, ’78, ’79, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’13, ’16)

15 – Nebraska (’63, ’70, ’71, ’80, ’82, ’84, ’86, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’99, ’00, ’03, ’09)

16 – Ohio State (’54, ’68, ’73, ’86, ’93, ’96, ’98, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’09, ’14, ’15, ’17, ’18, ’21)

15 – Texas (’61, ’63, ’64, ’69, ’72, ’75, ’81, ’01, ’02, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’18)

14 – Clemson (’78, ’81, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’18, ’19, ’21)

14 – LSU (’58, ’61, ’87, ’96, ’01, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’10, ’13, ’18. ’19, ’22, ‘23)

13 – Notre Dame (’70, ’73, ’74, ’77, ’88, ’89, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’15, ’17, ’19, ‘23)

13 – Tennessee (’50, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’87, ’89, ’95, ’96, ’98, ’01, ’04, ’07, ‘22)

12 – Washington (’59, ’60, ’77, ’79, ’81, ’82, ’84, ’90, ’91, ’00, ’22, ‘23)

10 – Florida (’93, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’01, ’06, ’08, ’09, ’18, ’19)

10 – Oregon (’00, ’01, ’08, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’19, ’22, ‘23)

10 – Wisconsin (’93, ’98, ’99, ’05, ’06, ’09, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17)

9 – Auburn (’72, ’74, ’83, ’86, ’89, ’97, ’04, ’06, ’10)

9 – Miami (’83, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’00, ’01, ’03)

9 – Michigan (’80, ’85, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’02, ’11, ’15, ‘23)

7 – UCLA (’82, ’87, ’88, ’97, ’05, ’13, ’14)

Care to toughen up the criteria?
Which schools had the most very good years (1 loss or less & a major bowl game or playoff win) since 1950?

18 – Alabama (’61, ’62, ’65, ’66, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’92, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’20, ’21)

12 – Oklahoma (’53, ’55, ’57, ’58, ’67, ’71, ’75, ’78, ’79, ’83, ’86, ’00)

(’54 and ’56 could not make consecutive bowl appearance as conference champion.)

12 – USC (’52, ’62, ’67, ’69, ’72, ’74, ’76, ’78, ’79, ’03, ’04, ’08)

11 – Ohio State (’54, ’57, ’68, ’73, ’96, ’98, ’02, ’14, ’15, ’18, ’20)

(’61 opted not to go to Rose Bowl and in ’10 wins were vacated)

10 – Texas (’61, ’63, ’64, ’68, ’69, ’72, ’81, ’04, ’05, ’08)

9 – Washington (’59, ’60, ’77, ’81, ’84, ’90, ’91, ’00, ‘23)

8 – Florida State (’87, ’88, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’97, ’99, ’13)

8 – Georgia (’59, ’66, ’80, ’83, ’02, ’21, ’22, ‘23)

8 – Nebraska (’63, ’70, ’71, ’82, ’94, ’95, ’97, ’99)

8 – Penn State (’68, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’82, ’86, ’94, ’05)

7 – Miami (’83, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’91, ’00, ’01)

7- Notre Dame (’70, ’73, ’77, ’88, ’89, ’92, ’93)

(’53 and ’66 Notre Dame chose to not go to a bowl game)

6 – Clemson (’50, ’81, ’15, ’16, ’18, ’ 19)

5 – LSU (’58, ’61, ’62, ’03, ’19)

5 – Tennessee (’50, ’70, ’85, ’89, ’98)

4 – Auburn (’83, ’87* tie in Sugar Bowl, ’04, ’10)

4 – Florida (’96, ’06, ’08, ’09)

4 – Michigan (’64, ’92, ’97, ‘23)

3 – Arkansas (’64, ’68, ’77)

3 – Michigan State (’53, ’55, ’13)

(’66 could not go to the Rose Bowl consecutive years as conference champion.)

3 – Wisconsin (’93, ’98, ’17)

So what criteria meets your definition of a good year for Penn State football?

You have compiled one heck of a list , and very impressive too . It depends on what type of penn state fan you are referring too . Some say as long as they have their morals and principals and character that is enough . Others say unbeaten season crowned national champion . Some say somewhere in between . For me , unbeaten and national champ

 

[LionsAndBears]

Good:
10 wins or more with at least 1 win against a Top 25 team

Very Good:
10 wins or more with at least 1 win against OSU or Michigan, a B1G Championship and a Playoff Appearance.

Great:
11 wins or more with at least 1 win against OSU or Michigan, a B1G Championship and a National Championship.

 

[BobPSU92]

No casualties = Decent season

 

[GrimReaper]

Good:
10 wins or more with at least 1 win against a Top 25 team

Very Good:
10 wins or more with at least 1 win against OSU or Michigan, a B1G Championship and a Playoff Appearance.

Great:
11 wins or more with at least 1 win against OSU or Michigan, a B1G Championship and a National Championship.

Not a bad way to look at it, at all. A few comments.

Good: Ten wins should garner a playoff spot, though conference re-alignment and its effect on scheduling might scramble that.

Very Good: I'd amend that by adding at least one playoff win. Getting knocked out in the first round of the playoff would be disappointing in most circumstances.

Great: No argument here..

 

[Train027]

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

 

[Train027]

You know, some people would say a good year for Penn State is 3 wins and Franklin getting fired.

 

[Midnighter]

You know, some people would say a good year for Penn State is 3 wins and Franklin getting fired.

Or 7-6 with a 10 year contract extension….

 

[Bob78]

In terms of seasonal accomplishment, which was the question posed by the OP, making the playoff is no different than making a NY6 bowl. What takes place afterward is another measure. Will be interesting to see the decisions that players make when they come to grips with the prospect
of playing 3-4 post-season games as opposed to 2.

Agree. Interesting that the playoffs are technically NOT bowl games, so the NY6 is round 2. Lose in round 1, and strictly technically speaking, the team does not get to a bowl game. In essence, round 1 is a major bowl without the bowl designation.
I guess 4 on-campus bowls is a way to look at it. The Happy Valley Bowl has a nice ring to it. The host school marketing opportunities are endless!

 

[Bob78]

In terms of seasonal accomplishment, which was the question posed by the OP, making the playoff is no different than making a NY6 bowl. What takes place afterward is another measure. Will be interesting to see the decisions that players make when they come to grips with the prospect
of playing 3-4 post-season games as opposed to 2.

Regarding the possible opt-outs, I think we may see players "opt out" with their coach's blessing for any lower-level game, such as vs. a 1AA opponent, or a low 1A, or even a conference "gimme" - if there is such a thing - later in the season. The understanding would have to be that in turn, they play through the playoff run, and why would they not want to?!, and/or maybe play at least 50% of plays in a bowl game.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

You know, some people would say a good year for Penn State is 3 wins and Franklin getting fired.

No doubt some would and they cannot stop themselves from posting about it. The thing is PSU is coming off of two 10 win seasons....so reality sometimes doesn't sit well with those folks so they make up their own reality and pretend it's a bad season with 10 wins.

 

[blion72]

Not a bad way to look at it, at all. A few comments.

Good: Ten wins should garner a playoff spot, though conference re-alignment and its effect on scheduling might scramble that.

Very Good: I'd amend that by adding at least one playoff win. Getting knocked out in the first round of the playoff would be disappointing in most circumstances.

Great: No argument here..

many good thoughts and different views, but one thing we all had in common was the baseline was making the playoffs. Listening to Pate State show, he played out our 2024 season and saw us as likely 10-2 and in playoff. He also said we could be 11 or 12 wins in regular season. Then he said this team could just as easily go 8-4. That downside is so below expectations that it would be hard for any of us to even consider. However, an 8-4 season in 2024 would be a serious impact on the program.

 

[PSUFTG2]

10 wins, same as it's always been

"as it's always been" used to be 12 (max), maybe 11, wins for the "National Champion" (11 game regular season and a bowl game)

Now is going to be 17 (max) and probably at least 15 or 16 wins for a "National Champion"

Equal standards of "number of wins", comparing eras of 11 games + 1 bowl game era - vs now being as many as 18, and at least 16 games to win a championship, doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?

Last year - BEFORE even expanding the post-season - there were 8 teams that had 12 or more wins, and another 4 that had 11........ and those numbers will go up significantly with the expanded post-season.

10 wins - for a program that wants to consider itself a blue-blood - isn't going to mean much.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

"as it's always been" used to be 12 (max), maybe 11, wins for the "National Champion" (11 game regular season and a bowl game)

Now is going to be 17 (max) and probably at least 15 or 16 wins for a "National Champion"

Equal standards of "number of wins", comparing eras of 11 games + 1 bowl game era - vs now being as many as 18, and at least 16 games to win a championship, doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?

Last year - BEFORE even expanding the post-season - there were 8 teams that had 12 or more wins, and another 4 that had 11........ and those numbers will go up significantly with the expanded post-season.

10 wins - for a program that wants to consider itself a blue-blood - isn't going to mean much.

You could also go undefeated, win your conference, and lose as the top seed in the playoffs in your first game.....and some will claim the season as a failure. Why because at that point you're expecting more so there is no magic number for sure. If you're in the 12 team dance consistently you're probably doing ok by most standards. If that is 10 wins, 11, or 12, but with 10 wins you have a decent shot to make the playoffs more than likely. If you get to the semi's for 2 straight years and fail it too will be just as sour a pill to swallow. Fans love expectations, but fans are also the first ones to move them when it's convenient.

 

[TheBigUglies]

I mean the last two years have been good seasons except for the embarrassing performance in the bowl game last year. So similar results(10+ wins) with a bowl game win over a good opponent. However, I feel the overall performance in those wins have been a bit sloppy at times. A win over those teams we can't seem to beat would be a good season(I recall JoePa having difficultly beating the scUM and OSU as well, I even recall Jay throwing a tantrum about not being able to beat them and wanting to be like a school that beat them, can't recall where or when I saw those comments/actions from him). Lastly, I measure things by the 1994 season, we pretty much smash everyone and beat the scUM and OSU teams somehow). Yes, I know there was a game that season we almost lost but that is my measuring stick on how good we need to be to get to the National Championship game. Has we play the Corn Huskers in a Nat Champ game, we would have had one that year.

 

[Mufasa94]

I said great seasons are winning the Big Ten Championships that’s what I judge our teams by.

So that would mean 8-4 Purdue had a great year in ‘00.

And PSU had a great year in ‘16 losing 3 games that included losing to Pitt and blowing a late lead vs. 3-loss USC?

A lot of good wins and fun times in between but not much of a fan on participation awards.

Interesting choice of words considering what had been defined as greatness.