What do you think of PSU this year?

[CWCWCW]

I've had some discussion with folks about Penn State's football team for the 2012 season. It looks like most of their team is staying put, at least for now. Will it be a quick trip to the bottom? Or, will the affects take a couple of years to show on the field?
My theory is that PSU will fall fast. I've thought their team hasn't shown much for a few years. I thought they were in the bottom half of the Big 10 last year. If McGloin (sp?) continues to be their quarterback, I'm not impressed. I like Redd, but I'm not sure of his return.
A new coaching staff, the dark shadows of Sandusky, publicity for all the wrong reasons, etc. To me, it all ends up with a rapid decline. I was looking at their schedule. Their first Big 10 game is at Illinois. That could be a win. Other than that, Indiana looks like a possible win later in the season. So, my prediction is two wins maximum for the Nittany Lions. Anyone expect a lot different results?

 

[SelectionSunday]

Without mass defections, I think they'll still be fine in 2012 (7, maybe 8 wins). This will be an "us vs. the world" type of season for their program. After 2012. ...

 

[jovs]

Middle Big Ten this year.

The next two recruiting classes are going to be down, it will be tough to land a kid who has no or little chance to ever play in a bowl game or for the B1G championship, how well they keep it together will determine if they stay down after that. They recruit in New Jersey, Maryland, and New York pretty heavily, they may start to lose those kids and maybe never be as strong in those states as they had been. I would guess their recruiting will stay strong in PA.

I think it will be 5 or 6 years out before you have a clear idea of where that program is headed.

 

[Monty519]

I've had some discussion with folks about Penn State's football team for the 2012 season. It looks like most of their team is staying put, at least for now. Will it be a quick trip to the bottom? Or, will the affects take a couple of years to show on the field?
My theory is that PSU will fall fast. I've thought their team hasn't shown much for a few years. I thought they were in the bottom half of the Big 10 last year. If McGloin (sp?) continues to be their quarterback, I'm not impressed. I like Redd, but I'm not sure of his return.
A new coaching staff, the dark shadows of Sandusky, publicity for all the wrong reasons, etc. To me, it all ends up with a rapid decline. I was looking at their schedule. Their first Big 10 game is at Illinois. That could be a win. Other than that, Indiana looks like a possible win later in the season. So, my prediction is two wins maximum for the Nittany Lions. Anyone expect a lot different results?

Just an FYI, PSU was 9-4 last year and 6-2 in the B1G, tied for 4th overall in the conference. Definitely not bottom half, but I see what you mean, they don't really exude any type of dominance, they were just really solid. I have a hard time thinking they'll drop from 6 to 2 wins though, especially if Redd comes back. I think they would have made a bowl at least.

But yeah, in future seasons....it could get ugly depending on if they can sell just being a part of this program to just enough high level kids who aren't going to back off not being in bowl games and whatnot.

 

[upnorthkid]

i'd say this year and next year they should be decent as most juniors and seniors probably will not transfer out. if the soph class is hit hard with transfers then we might see the effect hit hard in 2-3 years depending on how everything else pans out.
this year i'd peg them at 6-6 7-5 or so. next year i'd say 5-7 6-6. year after looking closer at 3 wins or so depending on their schedule. that's imho

 

[short ornery norwegian]

My gut tells me that the kids who stay are going to be VERY motivated this year to "show" everybody that Penn State is not going to lay down and die. I expect them to come out very strong, with a "nothing to lose" attitude. Anyone who overlooks PSU this year could be in trouble.

Now, 2 or 3 years down the road, things could be very different. I think that PSU will still be able to recruit some quality kids - but depth is going to be the real problem. Any significant injuries and they will be in serious trouble. They will have to rely heavily on walk-ons for depth. But, I think they'll get a fair amount of walk-ons - guys from the area who always dreamed about playing for Penn State, but weren't quite good enough. Now, they'll have the chance to say they Played for Penn State.

Bottom line - the program is going to take a hit, but I don't think they'll fall as far as some people are predicting.

 

[Stan The Caddy]

Well...their first 6 games are against a relatively easy schedule:
Ohio
@ Virginia
Navy
Temple
@Illinois
Northwestern

Navy and NW are the toughest tests on there and they are both at home. I see 4-2 at worst with 6-0 being possible. This coming from someone who thinks PSU of the last few years has not been that good, but they somehow end up with decent records.

 

[tikited]

Penn State will get through this a lot better than most people expect imo.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

The people that say the death penalty would have been better are crazy. PSU will be fine. They'll probably finish around .500 this year and next year. Then they'll struggle for two years but they'll be able to recruit saying they'll be bowl eligible when you are an upper classman and playing more.

 

[FreakyDeke]

The people that say the death penalty would have been better are crazy. PSU will be fine. They'll probably finish around .500 this year and next year. Then they'll struggle for two years but they'll be able to recruit saying they'll be bowl eligible when you are an upper classman and playing more.

They may be bowl eligible in 2016, but they will not be a bowl team until well after that. They won't be back to having full scholarships until 2019 or so.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

They may be bowl eligible in 2016, but they will not be a bowl team until well after that. They won't be back to having full scholarships until 2019 or so.

I realize that, but it's a big deal to a coach to be able to pitch that. They won't go 8-40 over these next 4 years like people seem to think.