Penn State 2017 Preseason Thread

[PSUinNC]

Picking them in my way too early CFP final four.

As much as I'd obviously love that, I just think the schedule's too tough this year.  Too many trap games, a gauntlet three weeks between Sparty, M and OSU.

PSU grew up mightily through 2016 and were a totally different club come November than they were in September, but I think a lot are underestimating how tough the Michigan game will still be, the trip to Lincoln, the trips to Evanston and East Lansing.

I felt, after the sanctions were eased (I refuse to say lifted, you can't 'lift' sanctions like that) that 2016 would be somewhere around 8-4, this season the same, then a big chance at it in 2018.  So they are a bit ahead of my schedule, but I'm still being conservative.  I still believe they will be better next season b/c they will be much better on both lines, which I think the DL will be the achilles heel this year.

10-2, NY6 bowl berth. 

[MaximumSam]

I'm looking forward to seeing them.  With more depth o the oline and a full season in the offensive system, they should be tough to stop.  Big question is whether the defense can keep games from becoming shootouts.

[TyphonInc]

I'm torn -
PSU repeats: I think almost everyone sees PSU as having the most talent this year (we as a board are voting them that way, and so did the press,) and yet OSU gets picked to win the division? Wisconsin had the most talent last year and had to navigate the gauntlet, only stubbing their toe once in OT. If PSU is the end all be be all of the conference; having to play tough games should not be a handicap, it should be an endorsement. *Insert shrugging smiley here*

PSU steps back: On the other side; PSU had 3 come from behind victories in after their embarrassment in Ann Arbor (is a wh0re, sorry habit,) that I'm not sure they can replicate. Looking at recruiting stars they are 3rd in the division, behind the 2 Kings. Do they really have the most talent? Have they been coached up enough to pass the shear paper talent of their opponents? *Insert devil smiley here*

[PSUinNC]

I'm torn -
PSU repeats: I think almost everyone sees PSU as having the most talent this year (we as a board are voting them that way, and so did the press,) and yet OSU gets picked to win the division? Wisconsin had the most talent last year and had to navigate the gauntlet, only stubbing their toe once in OT. If PSU is the end all be be all of the conference; having to play tough games should not be a handicap, it should be an endorsement. *Insert shrugging smiley here*

PSU steps back: On the other side; PSU had 3 come from behind victories in after their embarrassment in Ann Arbor (is a wh0re, sorry habit,) that I'm not sure they can replicate. Looking at recruiting stars they are 3rd in the division, behind the 2 Kings. Do they really have the most talent? Have they been coached up enough to pass the shear paper talent of their opponents? *Insert devil smiley here*

PSU's roster is littered with mainly 3* talent that heavily contributed last year - McSorely, Saeed Blacknall, Jason Cabinda, much of the line, Grant Haley, etc.  So I do think they've been coached up quite a bit.  But then again, it's starzzzz and we see 2* guys go on to be studs.  That said, the influx of highly recruited talent starts getting more reps this season - the Shane Simmons', the Michael Menets, etc.  Those guys that were 4 (and a few 5) star guys are now expected to not just contribute but play - big time.  So in my opinion, the talent gap is starting to close (and I mean that relatively, b/c obviously OSU and UM both still have more top to bottom talent on paper).

But you are correct - the white elephant in the room is the OT win over Minnesota at home (where they really got owned in the first half), the anemic start to the B1G title game.  These HUGE issues of slow starts and putrid 3rd down conversions can only be masked for so long. 

I don't think there's any question the O-line will be better, but I wonder mightily about the DL.  We'll see how it goes. 

[Geolion91]

Penn State will need to start playing well in the first half, and not wait until after halftime.  I think McSorely surprised people last year.  This year they'll know what he can do.  He also will not have Godwin to go up and bring in anything in the vicinity.

They should be solid, 9 wins or better, but getting to Indianapolis will be a challenge.  We have to win 2 of 3 in the MSU, OSU, and Michigan games.

[Temp430]

Franklin gets 6 year contract extension worth $5.8 million per year.

http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2017/08/penn_state_james_franklin_cont.html

[CatsbyAZ]

Franklin gets 6 year contract extension worth $5.8 million per year.

Another grossly irresponsible financial decision by a state university (and the AD). The amount/year isn't the concern, it's the extension through 2022, tying up that amount of resources. University Presidents should put into practice that if an AD has to fire a coach where a large enough buyout is due, the AD also gets canned for his bad decision.

[ALA2262]

I'm torn -
PSU repeats: I think almost everyone sees PSU as having the most talent this year (we as a board are voting them that way, and so did the press,) and yet OSU gets picked to win the division? Wisconsin had the most talent last year and had to navigate the gauntlet, only stubbing their toe once in OT. If PSU is the end all be be all of the conference; having to play tough games should not be a handicap, it should be an endorsement. *Insert shrugging smiley here*

PSU steps back: On the other side; PSU had 3 come from behind victories in after their embarrassment in Ann Arbor (is a wh0re, sorry habit,) that I'm not sure they can replicate. Looking at recruiting stars they are 3rd in the division, behind the 2 Kings. Do they really have the most talent? Have they been coached up enough to pass the shear paper talent of their opponents? *Insert devil smiley here*

PSU has no control over the lack of the ability of the other schools to beat OSU. Only over their game with OSU. And that game is at OSU, therefore, those picking OSU to win the division probably see it as I do. OSU 12-0. PSU 11-1.