When was the last time Penn State won a road game as an underdog?
Not trying to make you do research, by my count it was 2021 at Wisconsin–vern05
It’s me, so I did the research. Prior to last weekend, you’re correct – it was 2021 at Wisconsin (prior to looking it up, I was thinking that it was going to be 2022 Auburn as I remember everyone expecting us to fold up in the southern heat in that game, but Penn State was actually favored in that matchup by under a field goal. That’s still pretty LOL, if
you ask me!
Are we the only fanbase who piss, moans and whines after a win, no matter how we won or how we barely hung on for the W. Hey BSDers, relax and enjoy the next few days before Goldie comes to town.
Also, is there any other conference who’s teams helmet logo sport the first letter of the schools name as much as the B1G. And why is Minny’s “M” so wide and spread out at the bottom. Deduct points for poor penmanship on that for sure.–AndOthersReceivingVotes
As with many things, we’re predisposed to think we’re special. But I hate to break it to you – we aren’t that special. We are absolutely not the only fanbase who reacts this way – there are many, many fans of blueblood teams who would feel the same – even if they were underdogs and hanging on for a win three timezones away. Those of us here on this blog like to think that it’s unique to us, but it’s not.
And the helmet observation is something I’ve never really thought about! At my count, the Big Ten has 10 schools that sometimes or always have their first letter (and only their first letter, I’m not counting UCLA or Indiana) on their helmets, including:
Illinois
Maryland
Minnesota
Nebraska
Northwestern
Oregon
Purdue
Rutgers
Washington
Wisconsin
Over half seems like quite a lot – especially when you think about some of the most iconic football helmets in college football that are from the Big Ten and aren’t on that list, like Michigan, Iowa, or USC.
After years of pestering from my buddy, we are going to our first game this weekend since I gave up my season tickets in 2019. Not sure we’re going to haul along gear to tailgate, so where would you recommend attempting to grab lunch before heading to the lots? We always used to hit up The Field before/after games, but I’m sure there have been changes to the restaurant scene in the last 7 years.–eternalpessimist
As of the writing of this post, the weather is supposed to be not conducive to long term tailgating – accuweather is predicting a 55% chance of rain and snow (likely both) with steady wind at 15 mph (and gusts up to 30 mph), with a real feel high of 32 degrees. For a game that doesn’t start until 7pm (when the snow is moving in and the real feel is at around 23 degrees), that sounds hideous because the wind makes it so you can’t really have a good canopy, walled in with a heater going. Good choice in not tailgating.
The Field is still a good option, but I say try out Happy Valley Live. It’s owned by the same owners as We Are Inn in Philipsburg, and when I’ve been the food and service has been great. They have a bunch of tvs so you can watch a lot of other games going on during the day, and while it’s not right by the stadium, it’s not far away either.
If you aren’t looking for football viewing and want to go some place with just good food, Flour and Stone out in Pine Grove Mills has become a local favorite of mine too – they have a good brunch if you’re stil in town on Sunday morning.
Based on the majority of their results, Minnesota would seem to be a tough opponent for the 2026 version of PSU. But, there is one glaring inconsistency in their performances so far. What explains how they got shellacked by Purdue?–Parepidemos
I’m sure there’s something specific, but broadly? It’s because it’s college football, man, and weird shit happens on saturdays in football stadiums.
Badgers and Wolverines are weasels, but Gophers are rodents. Do you think a Lion stands a better chance against a rodent than weasels?–Smee
Sure, why not? Especially when the Lion has gotten a little bit more confidence after taking down a Husky recently.
I’ve been fortunate to see PSU at a lot of NFL stadiums. Now that the playoffs are off the table, do you root for a bowl game based on seeing someplace new?–JayMPSU
Honestly, I don’t really care what bowl game we’re in – I likely won’t be going regardless. Most bowl games nowadays are in states if not cities that I’ve been before, except for many of them that aren’t affiliated with the Big Ten so we wouldn’t go to anyway.
The exceptions for me would be if we somehow were in the Pop-Tarts Bowl or the Duke’s Mayo Bowl – they’ve done such a good job in marketing, that I’d travel down to Charlotte (or, heaven forbid, Florida) to witness it.
In soccer, there’s an adage that a 2-0 lead is the most dangerous one to have. The idea is that an opponent down by 2 goals will do everything possible to get that first one back and at that point will have all the motivation and momentum to catch the team that had the lead in the first place; that being ahead is actually a crutch.
The term that gets used now in the analytics universe is, “game state.” It’s not the choice that’s important, but the choice in the context of the game as it was at that moment.
Given the narrative on this Penn State team so far, do you buy this idea? Is 2-0 the most dangerous lead in sports?
Or maybe it’s this: would the narrative be better had Penn State gone down 19-0 at halftime and came back to win 28-25? The whole “West Coast, slow start” story would make sense, and then fans could happy about the second half adjustments and comeback.–all3points
I don’t buy that being ahead is ever really a crutch – the point of every sport is to score points and beat your opponent, and you can’t do that if you’re not ahead. But statistics do show that a 2-0 lead is precarious, and as I’ve said before, I’m definitely stitious.
I think the narrative absolutely would have been different had the 28 points come in the second half instead of the first, as the “bad taste” quarters would have been redeemed by a strong finish. I do think that, despite what many have said even here, the final Penn State possession of last week’s game, even though it didn’t lead to points (because of the kneel downs – we absolutely could have scored points there, but there was no need) turned it around for me, but I understand that not everyone feels that same way.
We’re hoping to make a bowl game by winning this weekend. There’s talk on Ohio State side about NOT wanting to play in a bowl game. With a 24 team playoff coming next year, what is the likelyhood Penn State will turn down bowl games?–Mr. Rosewater
Slim to none. The money that a bowl game brings in can help bolster an athletic department (I’m sure there’s something in our Big Ten contract that makes it a financial boon, as the revenue split would be higher), as does apparel associated with that bowl game.
Additionally, the extra practices associated with the bowl can become invaluable for future teams. And players love to travel to the warmer locations and get the swag associated with the bowl – and I like to see the players have fun.
On the usual 1-10 scale, what is the appropriate level of enthusiasm for Penn State football (independent of coaches, players, schedule, etc.)? Some of us seem to be a bit overboard – some a bit underboard (so to speak); where is the correct balance point?–PSU_Lions_84
There’s no “appropriate” level of enthusiasm, in my opinion – everyone is going to feel differently about it, and that’s ok. There’s no one way to be a fan, we’re a coat of many colors.
I do understand the folks who’ve felt like they need to step away, this year or last, and the folks who feel like they have to support the team even harder. It’s up to you to determine the best level for you and your family, without letting it consume your life. That last part is key.
Thinking about how this season has gone. What are your expectations for next season?–Gerry Dincher
Just like I have no idea how these last three weeks are going to go (I’d be shocked if we lose out, but any combination of 1 to 3 wins would not surprise me), I have no idea how next year will go. It likely depends on the players Campbell’s able to sign, both in the transfer portal and incoming freshman, and potentially what coaches stay and go. Maybe ask me again in two months?
The top 7 includes Georgia, Alabama, Notre Dame, Texas and Miami. For all the talk about a season of chaos, are we just gonna end up with a boring, blue blood heavy playoff?–Homer Ozzie & The Straw
The more things change, the more they stay the same…and SEC bias rears its head yet again. If for that reason only, I hope UCLA, Indiana, and BYU all make strong post season showings (anyone who counts out the Hoosiers is absolutely nuts).
Every college football season includes teams and games with weird / inexplicable outcomes. Are there more this year than usual, or does it just feel that way?–Fudd, Elmer J
This is one that I absolutely will not be doing the research on, and instead will be going with a pure vibes-based answer. And that answer is, it absolutely DOES feel that way! Almost every week a top three team has fallen, most of the time inexplicably, and many of the teams that were supposed to contend for the playoffs have lost all juice. It’s wild and wonderful.
Does Kyle Whittingham survive another season at Michigan? I believe his buyout is a relatively low $25 million.
If Ryan, born on 3rd base, Day loses to Michigan, does he get canned?
How many more losses will Kiffin get at LSU this season? I’m a little surprised he already has 3.–swift_retribution
Absent some crazy off-field drama (or him leaving of his own volition), I don’t see any way that Whittingham doesn’t last at least through 2027. Michigan’s reputation has been in the shitter and Whittingham’s reputation has been spotless, so they need to ride with that a little bit longer to create more distance both from the stench of their last head coach’s off-field legal and personal troubles, and the college football world’s judgment of the whole Conor Stallions stuff.
I think it’s more likely that Ryan Day loses, but I think the most likely thing for OSU is that Day leaves for a different job. I’ve seem rumblings of his interest in the FSU vacancy, but I can’t put too much stock in those rumors yet.
As for Kiffin, I find it hilarious that the media this week have taken the position that he is the SEC’s James Franklin, and run with it. It’s amazing (and honestly, he probably wishes); Kiffin, not unlike Whittingham, likely gets at least part of 2027 to turn things around in Baton Rouge. It’d be hilarious if he can’t do it, though, and would truly feel like the 2009 – 2014 era is back, in more ways than this in our society.
Would you consider taking a 3 week vacation with no internet during the CFP games due to the likely inclusion of only 2 B1G teams (sans PSU, OSU and Michigan) and a larger than normal amount of SEC teams or will you want to watch and root for anyone besides the SEC.–LarzLion
Probably not, I would be hate watching and rooting for non-SEC and non-Notre Dame teams throughout the playoff.
Rumor is that VT won’t be able to afford to keep Grunk next year. Do you think he’ll transfer? Speaking of transfers, do you think Howard’s post means he’s leaving?–The Crawling Chaos
I do think Grunk is probably leaving – Virginia Tech isn’t challenging for the ACC crown at 6-3, and they’ve still got to travel to Miami and have the battle of the former PSU quarterbacks in the final week. Penn State still has a shot at the same record as VT, which is hilarious to me considering where we were at a few weeks ago.
And no, I think Koby Howard’s post means that he’s just delayed in getting back onto the field this season. That’s not to say that he WON’T transfer, he still absolutely could, but I don’t think there was anything particular about that post that shows his thoughts on the matter one way or the other.
Reports out there saying Grunk could command $4m+ in the portal next season.
It will be hard for VT to keep him. I like to see our former guys do well, and I support their right to earn whatever they can, but gotta say how much I’m not a fan of this new world.–Liongame
It looks like we’ll soon see college teams where some star players make more than the head coach, and while I appreciate your apprehension, I gotta say I disagree. It’s about time some of these players have a seat at the table and get more of the pie as they deserve – and since the schools (and congress, so far) has been absolutely unwilling to support unionization of college football players, I say take this to the logical end conclusion until players at this level get some of the protections and stability they deserve.
Several head coaches got substantial raises/contract extensions last year when PSU started the coaching search. What kind of seasons are they having? I don’t know if he was a strong candidate or not, but the GT coach ain’t doin’ so hot this year…–LionBud
For the life of me I can’t remember any specific coaches like that except Kalani Sitake and Kurt Cignetti, and both are doing pretty darn good right now, even with Crumbl pretty much crumbling. So there’s that.
What Penn State Football season since 1994 do you think best represents the following Coen Brothers movies:
1) Fargo
2) No Country For Old Men
3) The Ladykillers
4) Burn After Reading–seemsez
Please don’t castigate me, but I’ve never seen any of those movies. But I’d be interested in hearing thoughts on what season represents them in the comments (I am familiar with the plots of all of them, despite not having seen them)
Coach Cael’s squad shutout 8 opponents in the 15 duals last season. What’s your prediction on the number of shutouts with 16 duals this season?–Jeff_in_Carlsbad
As the team’s first outing last night against Bloomsburg shows, this is all about who actually wrestles for Penn State in each individual dual meet. I’m not sure anyone would dispute that if Marcus Blaze was able to take the mat, there’s no way the Huskies would have gotten a single point last night – and so, to answer your question, I’ll just take a look at the rosters and assume that, after this weekend’s outing in Norman, all starters will wrestle at all weights, I’ll go with 9 (West Virginia, Oregon State, Duke, Binghamton, Rutgers, Maryland, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Northern Colorado). But that changes pretty quickly with a change in the lineup!
What’s one Olympic sport that you’ve never (or hardly ever) done but you think you could be good at?–Homer Ozzie & The Straw
The easy answer here is curling. One of my oldest friends used to curl, and I would go and watch her – and I think with training and study, I could probably handle it.
Of the following three, rank in order of over-exposure. It doesn’t mean you don’t like them, just makes say “wow, are they in everything”: Peyton Manning, Kevin Hart, Jason Kelce–LTFT1000
If you had asked me two or three years ago, Kevin Hart would’ve easily been at the top of this list, but I feel like he’s taken a step back recently (or at least in the commercials I’ve seen) and he’s more off the radar, if a constantly working Hollywood actor could ever be off the radar. Likewise, while Peyton’s around, especially during the fall, I just don’t see a constant barrage of him. So unfortunately, though I do really like him, I’d pick Jason Kelce out of your three choices – it may just be my algorithm but I do see him all the time in various media, and we are in the renaissance time of the Kelces (I love Kylie too). The Kelcaissance, perhaps?
What movie or show did you resist watching for years, only to finally watch it and kick yourself for waiting so long?
For me, it was The Wire. People recommended it to me constantly, but for whatever reason, I kept putting it off. Finally watched it and couldn’t believe I had waited so long. Absolutely one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.–kingkub
I know when I finally watch Heated Rivalry, it’ll be on this list for me. But for the most part, I think I’m pretty good about watching things within a few years. Even comedies like New Girl or 30 Rock that I absolutely loved and didn’t get into until after they were done, I watched within a year or two of their final episode airing.
George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln are on Mount Rushmore. Scrapple, bacon, sausage, and ham are on the Mount Rushmore of breakfast meats. Match the Presidents to their corresponding breakfast meats and provide reasoning for your choices.–Gerry Dincher
Bacon is Washington. The OG, and anyone with any appreciation for the category will be on board with this pick. Plus, there’s a ton of merch out there depicting them both.
Sausage is Lincoln. Without Bacon/Washington, would likely get a ton more recognition as the GOAT but still many peoples’ favorite.
Ham is Jefferson. I’m not sure why, but I’m sticking to it.
Lastly, for me, Scrapple is Teddy Roosevelt. A real amalgamation of a lot of different philosophies and approaches, with a lasting legacy albeit one where many people simply go “Huh?” when they think about who is (and should be) the final of the four presidents on Mount Rushmore. Some may wonder why he’s there, but those of us who really appreciate his contributions never will.
