2023-2024 NCAAF Official Thread

[celticsclay]

It will be very hard for Penn State to be consistently better than Ohio State or Michigan if OSU and UM have competent coaches. Those are 2 of the 5 best programs in college football when they have the right coach. PSU just isn't that.  Franklin is a great coach, and if they let him go there is a much better chance that PSU takes a big step back, then even a small step forward. I'm sure PSU alumni would like some more wins against the big 2, but Franklin is at least beating everyone else.

I don’t think any consider Franklin a top coaching prospect or hot commodity at this point. And while the last two years are losses have primarily been against osu and m 2021 we lost to some other big ten teams including Iowa, Michigan state and Illinois. 2020 they were 4 and five. The luster is certainly off since 2019 when usc and Florida state were interested in him. I highly doubt usc would hire him tomorrow if they needed a coach.

[Moranis]

PSU has won 10 games in 5 of the last 8 seasons.  Before that to get 5 10 win seasons you have to go back to 1996 (and it isn't just more games now either).  Joe Pa had that one good 5 year stretch in the mid 00's, but PSU hasn't really been a consistently elite team since its first few seasons in the Big Ten. You know when they consistently started playing OSU and UM.  PSU just isn't in that class and they need to recognize that or they will turn into Nebraksa i.e. always chasing something they can't get to.

[celticsclay]

PSU has won 10 games in 5 of the last 8 seasons.  Before that to get 5 10 win seasons you have to go back to 1996 (and it isn't just more games now either).  Joe Pa had that one good 5 year stretch in the mid 00's, but PSU hasn't really been a consistently elite team since its first few seasons in the Big Ten. You know when they consistently started playing OSU and UM.  PSU just isn't in that class and they need to recognize that or they will turn into Nebraksa i.e. always chasing something they can't get to.

As someone that follows the big ten I’m pretty surprised you are impressed with these wins when the conference sucks. A huge factor in the wins is Penn state has gotten two free wins against Rutgers and Maryland every year in big ten play. I think they have one loss against Maryland and zero against Rutgers since they joined. I don’t expect them to beat Michigan or osu most years, but I don’t think it should never happen either. The Nebraska comparison is silly as they have consistently outrecruited them for
25 years. Also while Penn state is kind of in the middle of nowhere it is still a lot more desirable location for college kids around than the country than Nebraska.

[green_bballers13]

So... that Georgia-FSU game.

If FSU brings their A squad, they still lose by 20 points. They lost by 60 points last night! I had no idea that FSU's backups were that inferior to Georgia.

FSU's claim is dead, and yes, this is a good day for the committee. That injured team would have gotten smoked by a healthy Michigan.

I'm not sure if FSU was a top 10 team this year, playing a scrub like Louisville and thinking it was a quality win.

I think Georgia has a more reasonable claim on getting screwed out of the playoffs than FSU.

[Moranis]

PSU has won 10 games in 5 of the last 8 seasons.  Before that to get 5 10 win seasons you have to go back to 1996 (and it isn't just more games now either).  Joe Pa had that one good 5 year stretch in the mid 00's, but PSU hasn't really been a consistently elite team since its first few seasons in the Big Ten. You know when they consistently started playing OSU and UM.  PSU just isn't in that class and they need to recognize that or they will turn into Nebraksa i.e. always chasing something they can't get to.

As someone that follows the big ten I’m pretty surprised you are impressed with these wins when the conference sucks. A huge factor in the wins is Penn state has gotten two free wins against Rutgers and Maryland every year in big ten play. I think they have one loss against Maryland and zero against Rutgers since they joined. I don’t expect them to beat Michigan or osu most years, but I don’t think it should never happen either. The Nebraska comparison is silly as they have consistently outrecruited them for
25 years. Also while Penn state is kind of in the middle of nowhere it is still a lot more desirable location for college kids around than the country than Nebraska.

No I'm saying if they dumped Franklin they may end up like Nebraska. It wasn't that long ago, Nebraska was winning 10 games basically every year with Bo Pelini, but that wasn't good enough for Nebraska and they've been awful since (just 1 winning season which was in Riley's 2nd year woth Pelini's players). And Pelini took over for Callahan who was awful. 

Now they may have finally gotten a competent coach again in Rhule, but they aren't OSU or UM, so if that is the expectation they will again be disappointed (they aren't USC either and may not be PSU, OU, or UW either but thos are at least closer).

Franklin has done a fine job. He beats everyone but the top 2 just about every year and he has beaten OSU and UM on occasion.  That is what PSU should expect as that is the reality.  If that isn't good enough then they might end up like Nebraska i.e. chasing years past that will never be found again.

[Roy H.]

As a Nebraska fan, I get what Moranis is saying.  After Osborne retired, the fan base demanded that Frank Solich be fired because nine or ten wins wasn't good enough.  Then, after the Callahan disaster, they hired and fired Pelini, a good coach who led the team to division -- but not conference or national -- titles.  Since then, the Huskers have been basically crap.

PSU is similar.  Right now, they're at the top end of "B-list" teams.    Sure, fans hope that replacing the coach vaults them to the A-list.  More likely, the team regresses.

[Celtics2021]

As a Nebraska fan, I get what Moranis is saying.  After Osborne retired, the fan base demanded that Frank Solich be fired because nine or ten wins wasn't good enough.  Then, after the Callahan disaster, they hired and fired Pelini, a good coach who led the team to division -- but not conference or national -- titles.  Since then, the Huskers have been basically crap.

PSU is similar.  Right now, they're at the top end of "B-list" teams.    Sure, fans hope that replacing the coach vaults them to the A-list.  More likely, the team regresses.

The difference, however, is that Penn State should have an easier time recruiting, given that Pennsylvania has more high-level recruits than Nebraska, not to mention a proximity to New Jersey and DC high schools that also produce a ton of top-tier prospects.

There’s not a good reason Nebraska can’t be Iowa, and there’s not a great reason Penn State can’t be Michigan or Ohio State. Their quarterback development has been abysmal for a decade, and it’s why they’ve been a B-team.

[Moranis]

As a Nebraska fan, I get what Moranis is saying.  After Osborne retired, the fan base demanded that Frank Solich be fired because nine or ten wins wasn't good enough.  Then, after the Callahan disaster, they hired and fired Pelini, a good coach who led the team to division -- but not conference or national -- titles.  Since then, the Huskers have been basically crap.

PSU is similar.  Right now, they're at the top end of "B-list" teams.    Sure, fans hope that replacing the coach vaults them to the A-list.  More likely, the team regresses.

The difference, however, is that Penn State should have an easier time recruiting, given that Pennsylvania has more high-level recruits than Nebraska, not to mention a proximity to New Jersey and DC high schools that also produce a ton of top-tier prospects.

There’s not a good reason Nebraska can’t be Iowa, and there’s not a great reason Penn State can’t be Michigan or Ohio State. Their quarterback development has been abysmal for a decade, and it’s why they’ve been a B-team.

State College is in the middle of nowhere.  I drive through it all of the time on my way to Philadelphia.  It is a small hilly town several hours from any major city.  It just doesn't have the appeal to a college kid that Ohio State or Michigan has because of location, history, etc.  PA is definitely a good high school football area, but it isn't as good as Ohio is and very few kids are leaving Ohio for PSU unless they just don't get interest from OSU or UM (or the SEC schools).  PSU is pretty much what they should be i.e. a very good team top 10ish type team that is going to have a real chance at making a 12-team playoff every year, but very little chance of advancing out of the top 8. 

[tazzmaniac]

So... that Georgia-FSU game.

If FSU brings their A squad, they still lose by 20 points. They lost by 60 points last night! I had no idea that FSU's backups were that inferior to Georgia.

FSU's claim is dead, and yes, this is a good day for the committee. That injured team would have gotten smoked by a healthy Michigan.

I'm not sure if FSU was a top 10 team this year, playing a scrub like Louisville and thinking it was a quality win.

I think Georgia has a more reasonable claim on getting screwed out of the playoffs than FSU.

People mention the talent gap a lot (e.g. 5-stars backing up 5-stars) but don't really understand how big the gap is.  Per the 247Sports team talent composite for this season, Georgia has the 2nd most talented team while FSU is the 20th most talented team.  Georgia has 13 5-stars, 52 4-stars and 20 3-stars.  FSU has 1 5-star, 26 4-stars and 55 3-stars.  Consistently recruiting in the top 5 is a huge advantage.  Georgia already showed it with the 58-point win over TCU in the championship game last season. 

[celticsclay]

As a Nebraska fan, I get what Moranis is saying.  After Osborne retired, the fan base demanded that Frank Solich be fired because nine or ten wins wasn't good enough.  Then, after the Callahan disaster, they hired and fired Pelini, a good coach who led the team to division -- but not conference or national -- titles.  Since then, the Huskers have been basically crap.

PSU is similar.  Right now, they're at the top end of "B-list" teams.    Sure, fans hope that replacing the coach vaults them to the A-list.  More likely, the team regresses.

The difference, however, is that Penn State should have an easier time recruiting, given that Pennsylvania has more high-level recruits than Nebraska, not to mention a proximity to New Jersey and DC high schools that also produce a ton of top-tier prospects.

There’s not a good reason Nebraska can’t be Iowa, and there’s not a great reason Penn State can’t be Michigan or Ohio State. Their quarterback development has been abysmal for a decade, and it’s why they’ve been a B-team.

State College is in the middle of nowhere.  I drive through it all of the time on my way to Philadelphia.  It is a small hilly town several hours from any major city.  It just doesn't have the appeal to a college kid that Ohio State or Michigan has because of location, history, etc.  PA is definitely a good high school football area, but it isn't as good as Ohio is and very few kids are leaving Ohio for PSU unless they just don't get interest from OSU or UM (or the SEC schools).  PSU is pretty much what they should be i.e. a very good team top 10ish type team that is going to have a real chance at making a 12-team playoff every year, but very little chance of advancing out of the top 8.

It is in the middle of nowhere but it is still a more desirable location for east coasters than Nebraska by a lot. You can drive pretty easy to Philly for a long weekend (about 3 hours) and it is driving distance for holidays/family in New York/boston/philly/pittsburgh. That is definitely very different from going to Nebraska.

I also think you are underselling Penn state as a brand and tradition here but we are both obviously biased in our views about Ohio state and Penn state.

[johnnygreen]

I know there have been players opting out of bowl games in the past, but it seems to have gotten out of control lately. These bowl games generate an enormous amount of money for the schools and conferences. I was going to watch Daniel's play for LSU today, but he opted out. Now I have no desire to watch the game. I doubt I'm the only one.

Is part of the problem the long layoff between when the regular season ends and bowl season? Should the layoff be cut to just two weeks? I know the guys want to get ready for the draft, but that doesn't happen until late April. Or is the college football playoff part of the problem? If your team doesn't make the playoff, then why bother playing? Another issue seems to be the transfer portal now, where players don't have to sit a year before they're eligible to play. The NCAA gave these college football players too many rights now, and the players are playing dirty with these new advantages.

The greed in college is disgusting. There's the outrageous tuition and the laughable follow up by the schools to ask for donations after graduation. Athletes getting full scholarships, where they not only don't have to pay for a college education but can now get paid too.

[celticsclay]

I know there have been players opting out of bowl games in the past, but it seems to have gotten out of control lately. These bowl games generate an enormous amount of money for the schools and conferences. I was going to watch Daniel's play for LSU today, but he opted out. Now I have no desire to watch the game. I doubt I'm the only one.

Is part of the problem the long layoff between when the regular season ends and bowl season? Should the layoff be cut to just two weeks? I know the guys want to get ready for the draft, but that doesn't happen until late April. Or is the college football playoff part of the problem? If your team doesn't make the playoff, then why bother playing? Another issue seems to be the transfer portal now, where players don't have to sit a year before they're eligible to play. The NCAA gave these college football players too many rights now, and the players are playing dirty with these new advantages.

The greed in college is disgusting. There's the outrageous tuition and the laughable follow up by the schools to ask for donations after graduation. Athletes getting full scholarships, where they not only don't have to pay for a college education but can now get paid too.

This year did seem to have the most opt outs ever. After the Georgia fsu game the Georgia coach was basically saying Florida state had so many opt outs it was almost dangerous to bring in a bunch of players that have not played at much all season and gave them go against the starters for Georgia. The 12 team playoff will provide some additional games that won’t have opt outs but I think the rest of the bowl games will continue to go into obscurity and be less worth watching each year until something changes.

[tazzmaniac]

I know there have been players opting out of bowl games in the past, but it seems to have gotten out of control lately. These bowl games generate an enormous amount of money for the schools and conferences. I was going to watch Daniel's play for LSU today, but he opted out. Now I have no desire to watch the game. I doubt I'm the only one.

Is part of the problem the long layoff between when the regular season ends and bowl season? Should the layoff be cut to just two weeks? I know the guys want to get ready for the draft, but that doesn't happen until late April. Or is the college football playoff part of the problem? If your team doesn't make the playoff, then why bother playing? Another issue seems to be the transfer portal now, where players don't have to sit a year before they're eligible to play. The NCAA gave these college football players too many rights now, and the players are playing dirty with these new advantages.

The greed in college is disgusting. There's the outrageous tuition and the laughable follow up by the schools to ask for donations after graduation. Athletes getting full scholarships, where they not only don't have to pay for a college education but can now get paid too.

Your loss.  You missed a good game that went down to the wire.  There was plenty of opportunity to watch Daniels play against better teams during the regular season.  If Daniels had played that would have been fine but it wouldn't have made the game more meaningful.  The focus should be on the many more players who are playing in the bowl games not on the opt outs and transfers.   

[celticsclay]

I know there have been players opting out of bowl games in the past, but it seems to have gotten out of control lately. These bowl games generate an enormous amount of money for the schools and conferences. I was going to watch Daniel's play for LSU today, but he opted out. Now I have no desire to watch the game. I doubt I'm the only one.

Is part of the problem the long layoff between when the regular season ends and bowl season? Should the layoff be cut to just two weeks? I know the guys want to get ready for the draft, but that doesn't happen until late April. Or is the college football playoff part of the problem? If your team doesn't make the playoff, then why bother playing? Another issue seems to be the transfer portal now, where players don't have to sit a year before they're eligible to play. The NCAA gave these college football players too many rights now, and the players are playing dirty with these new advantages.

The greed in college is disgusting. There's the outrageous tuition and the laughable follow up by the schools to ask for donations after graduation. Athletes getting full scholarships, where they not only don't have to pay for a college education but can now get paid too.

Your loss.  You missed a good game that went down to the wire.  There was plenty of opportunity to watch Daniels play against better teams during the regular season.  If Daniels had played that would have been fine but it wouldn't have made the game more meaningful.  The focus should be on the many more players who are playing in the bowl games not on the opt outs and transfers.

I think you can do both. I think the ncaa may try to change something after this bowl season cause the attendance is starting to suffer a bit and I would be surprised if the tv ratings for most of the bowls wasn’t down. Usually when money goes down they try to change something. I know a lot of my Penn state friends were way less excited for the peach bowl than they would have been ten years with some of our best players out. Maybe there can be some sort of nil incentive from the sponsors or something for playing.

[Roy H.]

I know there have been players opting out of bowl games in the past, but it seems to have gotten out of control lately. These bowl games generate an enormous amount of money for the schools and conferences. I was going to watch Daniel's play for LSU today, but he opted out. Now I have no desire to watch the game. I doubt I'm the only one.

Is part of the problem the long layoff between when the regular season ends and bowl season? Should the layoff be cut to just two weeks? I know the guys want to get ready for the draft, but that doesn't happen until late April. Or is the college football playoff part of the problem? If your team doesn't make the playoff, then why bother playing? Another issue seems to be the transfer portal now, where players don't have to sit a year before they're eligible to play. The NCAA gave these college football players too many rights now, and the players are playing dirty with these new advantages.

The greed in college is disgusting. There's the outrageous tuition and the laughable follow up by the schools to ask for donations after graduation. Athletes getting full scholarships, where they not only don't have to pay for a college education but can now get paid too.

Your loss.  You missed a good game that went down to the wire.  There was plenty of opportunity to watch Daniels play against better teams during the regular season.  If Daniels had played that would have been fine but it wouldn't have made the game more meaningful.  The focus should be on the many more players who are playing in the bowl games not on the opt outs and transfers.

I think you can do both. I think the ncaa may try to change something after this bowl season cause the attendance is starting to suffer a bit and I would be surprised if the tv ratings for most of the bowls wasn’t down. Usually when money goes down they try to change something. I know a lot of my Penn state friends were way less excited for the peach bowl than they would have been ten years with some of our best players out. Maybe there can be some sort of nil incentive from the sponsors or something for playing.

I wonder if the bowls / sponsors could purchase injury insurance for the one game.