Megan compares Penn State and Minnesota programs on campus, stadium, fan base, recruiting, coaches and more

[BleedGopher]

per her Q&A:

Q: Having covered both Penn State and Minnesota football, how would you compare and contrast these two programs? Please include campus, stadium, press coverage, fan base, recruitment, administrators and coaches. – @AndyKuhenel
A: Wow, such detail. In an effort to not make this 1,000 pages long, here’s my quick-hitter compare and contrast. (For those who are unaware, I covered Penn State football for a season in 2016 for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette before coming to the Strib.)

• Campus goes to Minnesota. It’s urban. Penn State is … not. I also had to regularly drive the five-hour roundtrip through nothingness to get there from Pittsburgh, so. It wasn't my favorite.
• Stadium, point Penn State. Beaver Stadium is massive, and being there for a White Out game is a thrilling atmosphere. Though I do like the TCF Bank Stadium press box and media setup better.
• Press is a tie. We are all equal and fair in the eyes of the News Gods. Penn State has far more coverage, regularly 20-plus reporters showing up from across the state for every press conference. The Gophers have, like, five, but we are mighty! I like the smaller crowd here because it gives me a better chance to get to know the team and tell deeper stories. But having a lot of compatriots on the Penn State beat built me some lasting friendships and professional connections. But in general, Penn State garners way more coverage, especially nationally. But the Gophers have me, so, I mean. That's obviously a huge advantage
• Fan base. Penn State’s is. Voracious. Gophers have their moments as well but are generally a little more Midwestern in their approach to things haha. Both passionate, though!
• Recruiting. I think Penn State obviously still has the edge here. They’re one of the blue bloods, after all. But the Gophers are on the rise and currently looking very strong for 2021.
• Administrators. I loved that Penn State has one of the few women athletics directors in the country in Sandy Barbour. But I think Mark Coyle runs a pretty solid department at Minnesota. Both are great.
• Coaches, see this story (written pre-Kirk-Ciarrocca departure, haha). I think James Franklin and P.J. Fleck are two of the best coaches in the game when it comes to building a culture, having players buy in and holding them to that standard. I've enjoyed working with them both.

You've Got Mailbag: How are the Gophers football players working from home?

The team's strength coach has put together a workout plan, and there have been video conferences among position groups and the entire team. Plus, a program comparison between the Gophers and a long-time Big Ten power.

www.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!