PSU News and commentary
#ClimbWithUs
Are you #Climbing? The tagline for 2017 Penn State Basketball, looks far for the truth. To be honest, Penn State Basketball is not climbing. We're not really falling either though. We're just there. Flat. Continuing. 12-20 10-21 16-18 18-16 16-16 15-16 Those are the past 6 seasons records for Penn State Basketball under Chambers. Now in his 7th Season, Penn State sits at 11-5. And while that may seem like a hot start for many. It's really not. Penn State has just entered full Big Ten play for the rest of season, a much tougher schedule than just pre-season cupcakes. And we didn't even beat all of them (see: Rider) Penn State is already 1-2 in conference play, with 15 games remaining and Big Ten play has never been favorable to Pat Chambers, who has never won more than 7 conference games in a single season. If PSU even ties Chambers best season of Big Ten play, they will finish a whopping 16-14. Good enough for middle of the pack in the Big Ten, and not even an NIT bid. Speaking of postseason basketball....thats something Penn State fans have yet to see in Chambers reign... well unless you count the CBI (a pay to play tournament). Sound bad enough yet? Most schools would can there coach no matter what after 7 .500 seasons in a row. But I haven't even mentioned this yet. Pat Chambers has had at least 4 4-Star recruits and a hand full of 3-Star recruits. Now it looks ugly. You have a major school, a major conference, major recruits, and you still can't win. It's time for Penn State to Fire Pat Chambers. Something needs to change. He is a good recruiter, but can't develop players or create a good game plan it seems. Time to turn elsewhere. But here's where things get complicated......Where do we turn as a program after firing Chambers? After firing Chambers, Sandy and PSU will have to make tough decisions regarding the face of the program. Penn State Basketball isn't exactly a sought after job. We don't have a "basketball history" we aren't a "blue blood" like in football. So......who do we hire? Penn State can go three routes here:
But this decision will determine what the Athletic Department wants for PSU Basketball.
Who knows what Sandy and PSU will do. But it's safe to say PSU Basketball is so frustrating for many many PSU fans and alumni. The list of sports Penn State dominates at, or is very competitive at goes on and on. And now it's not as simple as "oh well they've always had success historically, it's hard to build a program". Penn State Hockey was able to go to being a CLUB team to playing in the NCAA Elite 8 in just a few short years. In my opinion, it's time to go for absolute broke. Let's try build a successful program fans care about. Here's my best guesses on how we can do that:
The current system isn't working. Fans are frustrated. But, as Penn Staters are, we will support our teams and programs if we think they have the right direction and think we are being given the best damn product gameday we can. So, go for broke Sandy, #Let'sClimb.
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Penn State takes on Nebraska at 4:00pm for Senior Day at Beaver Stadium
Penn State plays Nebraska for the final home game of the season. Penn State should have an easy time with Nebraska, who has been having a down year. With a win on Saturday, a sophomore at Penn State will not have seen a loss in Beaver Stadium. Penn State's last loss in Beaver Stadium dates back to November 21st 2015, vs a #14 Michigan. The last time Penn State lost to an unranked team in Beaver Stadium dates back to November 1st, 2014 vs Maryland (PSU also lost to #10 Michigan State November 29th 2014) It also is the last game in Beaver Stadium for a group of very important seniors, the last recruiting class of Bill O'Brien as well as the last game for Saquon Barkley before embarking on the NFL. Nebraska's defense sucks, so hopefully Saquon can put up big numbers for his last game at Home. Penn State should cruise to their 9th win easily. 38-10 Pick's Picks: SU: PSU ATS: PSU -25.5 O/U: Under 55.5 Season Records: SU:8-2 ATS: 5-4 O/U: 5-4 Rutgers comes to town for Penn State's homecoming Saturday at noon on BTN.
Penn State looks to get back on track after dropping its past 2 games in heartbreaking fashion. Rutgers is the perfect opponent for Penn State to do just that. The Lions can still put themselves into NY6 Bowl contention by winning out with some big wins, so there is still something to play for. I expect Penn State to absolutely feed the crap out of Barkley the next 3 weeks as well. After struggling to get numbers the past two weeks, Penn State wants to get Saquon back as the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy. And rightfully so, with B1G and CFP out of the picture, let's get him the Heisman. Also, he was a former Rutgers recruit, so it be nice to stunt on them. Also can we let Saquon kick and PAT this year? Why not? Penn State 45 Rutgers 10 Saquon 14 Rutgers 10 Pick's Picks: SU: Penn State ATS: Penn State +31 O/V: Over 54 Season: SU: 6-2 ATS: 5-3 O/U: 5-3 Last year, before the last week of the regular season I wrote this article for Onward State:
"This Season Is A Success Regardless Of The Outcome" While the circumstances are now much different, the theme remains. A 10-2 ranked PSU team is NOT a failure. Penn State, whether we want to admit it, is still growing and recovering. Read the article, no one thought thats where we were gonna be. No one thought any of that was possible, we overshot expectations by miles. And now we come into this season with WILDLY high expectations. It was all there. The hype, the rankings, looking for a repeat, and playoff revenge. We got our expectations sky high. When we got ranked #2 due to other loses? Was anyone out there really convinced we were #2 behind Alabama? Seriously, come on. Frankly put, the current ranking and standings doesn't do this team justice. Let's take a quick look at PSU's 2 losses: Ohio State: Penn State choked, admittedly. But again forget the rankings, we were underdogs. Playing in one of the toughest environments to a team who has the experience in big games. We lost by 1 point. 1. We covered the spread. 1 point to a top 10 ranked team, on the road, hardly calling that a brutal blow, no matter how disappointing it was. Michigan State: This loss is obviously a lot harder to justify. But obviously a 3 hour rain delay is not something you plan for. We didn't play great. We made mistakes. and YES the weather was a huge factor. But again, PSU lost by only 3, to a ranked team, on the road, to a coach, with tremendous experience. Yes, it seems like making excuses, but again, not a brutally terrible loss. When you break it down, if Penn State wins out, here's how it's resume will look: 10-2 The 2 Losses to both Ranked Opponents and both on the road. Margin of Defeat for the Season: 4 points. 4 points. Less than a touchdown. Separate Penn State from a perfect season, a shot at a Big Ten repeat and a Playoff spot. While absolutely crushing to us as fans. It's impossible to call this a failure, or throw in the towel. Penn State can still work its way back into a NY6 bowl with some big wins and other teams losing, which is guaranteed. Saquon Barkley can still work his way back into the Heisman lead with some big games. The next 3 weeks will help define this season. #7 Penn State takes on #24 Michigan State in East Lansing at n00n.
After last weeks heartbreaking loss, look for Penn State to be hungry for a big win. The Nittany Lions playoff hopes have been cut down tremendously but watch to see how this team rebounds. Last year after Pitt / Michigan....Penn State rallied together and put together the most impressive 2nd half of the season in all of College Football. Indy may be out of reach this year barring any CHAOS. (which has been known to happen). But playoffs there is still an ever so slightly glimmer of hope. As well as playing for a coveted NY6 Bowl game. Penn State needs a win over Michigan State to remain the #2 team in the East. Look for Saquon to be hungry for yards and big plays to regain that Heisman Trophy lead. Look for the defense to want to bounce back and show how good they are after the 4th quarter of OSU. I think Penn State makes the big plays down the stretch. I think Michigan State is a good team, but not there yet. Penn State wins 41-20 Pick's Picks: SU: PSU ATS: PSU O/U: O48 Season Record: SU: 6-1 ATS: 5-2 O/U: 4-3 This game needs absolutely no introduction. It may be the hottest game of the season.
BIG Championship, College Football Playoffs, Heisman Trophy; all hang in the balance. 3:30pm. Ohio Stadium. Fox Sports. Everyone knows this will be a dog fight. Who wants it more? Penn State still hungry after the CFP Snub last year? OSU looking to avenge last years loss at the hands of PSU? Both are incredibly talented teams. It's all on the line and will literally come down to which team executes better. I'm taking PSU in a nail bitter. Penn State wins it 35- 31. Pick's Picks: SU: PSU ATS: PSU +6 O/U: Over 54 It's here. The WHITEOUT. #2 Penn State takes on #19 Michigan under the lights, full stadium White Out in effect Saturday night @ 7:30.
Penn State is looking to stay #2 and undefeated and get revenge vs Michigan Expect Saquon and Trace to be keep Michigan defense on their toes and for the PSU defense to keep Michigan's offense at bay, hopefully with some help from o'Korn Penn State wins 32-17 Penn State Covers 10.5 O/U 44.5: Over Season Records: SU - 6-0 ATS 4-2 O/U: 3-3
College Gameday will be coming to our city this Saturday for the first time since 2009.
Last time Gameday came, the crew set up shop outside the BJC on Curtin Road with Beaver Stadium in the background....but the producers now seem to eye Old Main Lawn as the location for this year's show. ESPN Vice President of College College Sports, and Gameday Producer, Lee Fitting retweeted a Penn State Fan last night after the announcement:
Fitting mentioned there are many hurdles before they can get approval but asked for fans support to help get it done.
The location decision will be announced later this week. #4 Penn State takes on Northwestern at Ryan Field at 12:00pm Saturday.
Penn State is looking to be bowl eligible this week and stay undefeated vs the 2-2 Wildcats. An odd 11am start for the Nittany Lions may have them start slow, but should be no problem for Penn State as they look to work out the kinks before heading into the murders row of the schedule (vs Michigan, @OSU, @Michigan State), a three game stretch that will make or break the season. I don't think this will be that big of a win for PSU, rough and rainy weather will probably keep the scoring down, but should possibly inflate Barkley's numbers due to wanting to run the ball more. I'm liking the Penn State win here, by a god amount. PENN STATE: 38 NORTHWESTERN: 17 PICKS: SU: PSU ATS: PSU -14.5 O/U: Over 51 #4 Penn State takes on the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium 3:30 on BTN
Penn State had a tough time last week vs Iowa. Winning as time expired. We knew it would be close and a tough game under the lights at Iowa. But Penn State needs a bounce back week. Keys to the Game for Penn State -Get Trace in a groove early -RED ZONE OFFENSE Obviously Saquon had HUGE numbers last week and the whole "just feed Saquon" system is really working for them. So, yea let's do that some more as well. #HappyValleyHeisman Our defense has looked strong and has not gotten enough credit the past week. If they keep it up through the Big Ten slate, Penn State is looking like a tough team to beat. SCORE PREDICTION: Penn State wins: 38- 17 Pick's Picks: (Penn State's lines this year are so hard to judge, not confident in ATS or O/U yet again this week) S/U: PSU ATS: PSU -17.5 O/U: Under 62 Season Record: SU: 3-0 ATS: 1-2 O/U: 2-1 |
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January 2018
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