2018 Preseason articles....

[Judge Smails]

 

[BobPSU92]

Too late, Tommy.

NEXT. MAN. UP.

 

[Judge Smails]

We’re getting close, my brothers.

 

[GregInPitt]

Does anyone else look at Charlie Katshir's picture and see his legit 6'
3" frame and see a future LB star at PSU? The least heralded of the 2018 class of LB recruits looks like he will be a nice player down the road ......

Penn State freshmen at photo day
By Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com | Posted on August 19, 2018 7:47 PM | Updated August 19, 2018 7:57 PM

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Justin Shorter, running back Ricky Slade, wide receiver Jahan Dotson and safety Isaiah Humphries during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive linemen Juice Scruggs and Rasheed Walker during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State linebackers Nick Tarburton and Charlie Katshir during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive tackle Judge Culpepper (88) during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive tackle Aeneas Hawkins during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Daniel George and linebacker Micah Parsons during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State linebackers Micah Parsons and Jesse Luketa during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State linebackers Micah Parsons and Charlie Katshir during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive lineman Rasheed Walker, defensive tackle PJ Mustipher and punter Cade Pollard during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons chats with defensive coordinator Brent Pry and Charlie Katshir during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State tight end Zack Kuntz and cornerback Trent Gordon during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State cornerback Donovan Johnson and wide receiver KJ Hamler during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive end Jayson Oweh, wide receiver Justin Shorter and running back Ricky Slade during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State safety Isaiah Humphries (2) and wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive linemen Rasheed Walker (53) Nana Asiedu (54) during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive lineman Bryce Effner during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive tackle Judge Culpepper, tight end Pat Freiermuth and wide receiver Daniel George during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State's Brandon Clark and defensive tackle Judge Culpepper during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State cornerback Trent Gordon during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

 

[Judge Smails]

JF covers a lot of ground in interview

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

Does anyone else look at Charlie Katshir's picture and see his legit 6'
3" frame and see a future LB star at PSU? The least heralded of the 2018 class of LB recruits looks like he will be a nice player down the road ......

Penn State freshmen at photo day
By Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com | Posted on August 19, 2018 7:47 PM | Updated August 19, 2018 7:57 PM

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Justin Shorter, running back Ricky Slade, wide receiver Jahan Dotson and safety Isaiah Humphries during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive linemen Juice Scruggs and Rasheed Walker during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State linebackers Nick Tarburton and Charlie Katshir during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive tackle Judge Culpepper (88) during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive tackle Aeneas Hawkins during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Daniel George and linebacker Micah Parsons during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State linebackers Micah Parsons and Jesse Luketa during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State linebackers Micah Parsons and Charlie Katshir during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive lineman Rasheed Walker, defensive tackle PJ Mustipher and punter Cade Pollard during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons chats with defensive coordinator Brent Pry and Charlie Katshir during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State tight end Zack Kuntz and cornerback Trent Gordon during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State cornerback Donovan Johnson and wide receiver KJ Hamler during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive end Jayson Oweh, wide receiver Justin Shorter and running back Ricky Slade during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State safety Isaiah Humphries (2) and wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive linemen Rasheed Walker (53) Nana Asiedu (54) during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive lineman Bryce Effner during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive tackle Judge Culpepper, tight end Pat Freiermuth and wide receiver Daniel George during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State's Brandon Clark and defensive tackle Judge Culpepper during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State cornerback Trent Gordon during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Thanks for posting these.

A little less heralded than some of the others in the class, Daniel George looks like one of the most college ready freshman I've ever seen. (physically speaking)

 

[GregInPitt]

https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatef...for_penn_state_to_ans.html#incart_river_index

I love the picture of Luketa and Parsons. Both are built like college senior football players, as true freshmen. And Luketa looks thicker than Parsons!

Regarding the freshmen and how Pickel sees it playing out, I still believe Oweh is Yellow. Still lots of bodies at DE, but unless the pass rush is lights out there may be room for Oweh to torcher opposing QB's...........

5 questions for the Penn State football team during the final week of summer camp
Posted August 21, 2018 at 05:45 AM | Updated August 21, 2018 at 08:23 AM

BY GREG PICKEL | gpickel@pennlive.com

Penn State head coach James Franklin yells during an NCAA college football practice, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, in State College, Pa. (Joe Hermitt/The Patriot-News via AP)

It seems like it was yesterday when Penn State was starting summer camp for the fifth time under head coach James Franklin, but in fact two weeks have already passed, leaving just one final sprint down the stretch before the first game week of the year arrives on Sunday.

We've already learned a lot so far in August about the program's biggest question marks during the team's various media sessions, watched as a few more players added their names to the medical scholarship list, and heard about the freshmen who are stepping up to perhaps play a big role this fall.

There are many questions left to be answered, however, as camp begins. Here's a look at the top ones with Appalachian State now a week and four days away.

1. Is end still a position of strength?

Penn State defensive end Shareef Miller on Aug. 4, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

During Big Ten Media Days in Chicago at the end of July, James Franklin was bullish on one particular position group about a week before camp began.

"Probably one of the strengths of our team specifically on defense is at defensive end," he said.

"Excited about what those guys are going to be able to do."

Is that still the case about a month later?

The answer is yes, even if Ryan Buchholz and Torrence Brown have both since retired from the team (but will still be around it) due to medical issues; the former has long battled back injuries, while the latter tore up his knee early in 2017 against Georgia State and has faced a lengthy rehab process.

Why?

Simply put, most were not expecting much from Brown as it became clear his return to the field wasn't getting closer as the season arrived. As for Buchholz, he was oddly absent from a lot of the preseason chatter, and now we know why.

The news from Sunday's team photo day that Shane Simmons, a breakout pick of many, was sporting a walking boot was not encouraging, but there is no reason to think he'll be held out for long, and even if he is, the program has a budding star in Shareef Miller, a key contributor ready to take on more in Shaka Toney, and the looks of a young superstar in Yetur Gross-Matos. Add a healthy Simmons and classmate Daniel Joseph to the mix, and things should still be expected to work out just fine.

2. What will Bowen's role be?

Penn State linebacker Manny Bowen talks with defensive coordinator Brent Pry during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

One of the hottest topics surrounding the Lions in the buildup to August focused on whether or not veteran linebacker Manny Bowen would be with the team after he was removed from the active roster for a violation of team rules last December before the Fiesta Bowl.

We now know the answer to that question, of course, as Bowen has been back and practicing since the first week of August. We also know that he will not start the opener against Appalachian State.

Outside of that, however, his 2018 season outlook continues to be murky at best.

"I can't tell you what his role on the team is going to be like to be honest with you, I have no idea," Franklin said earlier this month.

"But I do think the plan in place was the right thing to do for Manny and gives him the best opportunity in December for him to graduate from Penn State. Everything else is icing on the cake."

He added this last week:

“At the end of the day, it comes down to in life you’re trying to create as many win-win situations as you can. Is this the right thing for Manny? Is this the right thing for Penn State? Is this the right thing for the locker room? Is this the right thing for the program? So you’re trying to factor in all those things.”

Based on all the tea leaves at this time, the most likely outcome is that Bowen will serve in a reserve role early in the year before eventually taking back the starting job he had in 2017. How long that will take is up in the air, but it seems likely that he'll be one of the best three options for Brent Pry's unit, and with that comes the expanded snaps of a first-team player.

3. How many freshmen will play?

Penn State linebackers Micah Parsons and Jesse Luketa during the team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Aug. 18, 2018. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

The NCAA's new rule that allows players to compete in up to four games before losing their redshirt status will throw a wrench into the conventional green light, yellow light, and red light descriptions that the program uses to define which freshmen are definitely playing, might play, and won't play during their first year on campus.

For this exercise, we'll look at the players who will (green), could (yellow), and won't (red) burn their redshirt, as it's possible some will get their feet wet during the non-conference slate and/or bowl game but not lose their extra year of eligibility entirely.

GREEN:

LB Micah Parsons

LB Jesse Luketa

DT PJ Mustipher

RB Ricky Slade

WR Jahan Dotson

WR Justin Shorter

Yellow

TE Zack Kuntz

TE Pat Freiermuth

WR Daniel George

K Jake Pinegar

DT Judge Culpepper

Red

OT Rasheed Walker

G/C Juice Scruggs

OT Bryce Effner

DE Nick Tarburton

CB Trent Gordon

S Isaiah Humphries

DT Aeneas Hawkins

LB Charlie Katshir

QB Will Levis

DE Jayson Oweh

The toughest projection might have been Pinegar, as the battle to replace Tyler Davis continues for both his placement kicking duties and kick offs. He's the only scholarship specialist besides Blake Gillikin fighting for the job, but walk-ons Rafael Checa and Vlad Hilling are not going away quietly.

As for Dotson, he's generated so much buzz that he just might clear the four game threshold, but the Lions do have a plethora of receiving options so time will tell on that front. Either of the tight ends could wind up being elevated to green, too, if the veterans do not get the job done early in the year.

4. Will right tackle feature a rotation?

Penn State offensive linemen Chasz Wright and C.J. Thorpe pose during the NCAA college football team's photo day at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018 in State College, Pa. (Joe Hermitt/The Patriot-News via AP) AP

Injuries made Penn State rotate its offensive linemen more than it wanted to in 2017, but with the unit now looking like a strength as four of five offensive line starters are penned in, the coaching staff must now figure out what to do at right tackle.

The candidates for the job are familiar face, as Chasz Wright and Will Fries both saw starter snaps a season ago. So far in camp, though, it appears neither has separated himself to win the job outright, which could leave position coach Matt Limegrover using both again this fall, even if he'd prefer not to.

“You may have an older guy and a younger guy, and they both bring something to the table,” he said. “If you can get 30-35 snaps of good football out of both of ‘em — the old guy, maybe he’s not capable of (playing every snap) any more; the young guy isn’t mentally mature enough to do it for a whole game — but maybe you can alternate series and get the most out of ’em," Limegrover said. "I’m always willing to do that.”

In a perfect world, though?

“I’m a fan of getting those best five together and letting them roll and letting them develop the continuity that you need on the O-line,” Limegrover said.

It will be interesting to learn whether or not Franklin can offer any clarity to the battle during Tuesday's final camp media session.

5. Who will be the kicker?



Despite it being oft-discussed since the calendar flipped to 2018, the Lions appear to be no closer to finding a kicker to replace Tyler Davis than they were in January.

The candidates are punter Blake Gillikin, the lone veteran fighting for the job, along with first-year football player but junior by eligibility Justin Tobin, redshirt freshman Carson Landis, and true freshman Rafael Checa, Jake Pinegar, and Vlad Hilling.

Franklin has said in the past that he would prefer if Gillikin, whose punting thus far has earned him All-Big Ten honors, did not handle punting, placement kicks, and field goals, but that would require one of the other players to step up and fill the void.

Davis was just nine of 17 a year ago including a three for 10 mark on kicks of 30 yards of more, so the bar to match him isn't all that hight, and yet a College Football Playoff contender will require numbers far superior to those.

Open practice competitions have primarily featured the young guys, but Gillikin has undoubtedly been preparing behind the scenes just in case. It's likely this question will not be answered, however, until the first field goal or extra point chance arrives on Sept. 1, as consistency is key and the battle will continue until it is found.

 

[Raffycorn]

I don’t see a circumstance where Oweh redshirts. At the most conservative, he’s a yellow. I don’t know where on Earth Pickel is getting a red light from.

 

[GregInPitt]

I don’t see a circumstance where Oweh redshirts. At the most conservative, he’s a yellow. I don’t know where on Earth Pickel is getting a red light from.

Probably just from the numbers. Miller, YGM, Simmons, Toney, Joseph, Givens (likely playing DE, possibly as a starter at times). That's 6 DE's if all are ready, willing and able (and healthy). 6 is enough to get through the season very well without significant injuries. And then add in the fact that Oweh and Tarburton could play in 4 games and still redshirt. So unless there are significant injuries, or Oweh just tears it up (plays better than Miller, Givens, YGM, Simmons or Toney), it is very likely that he can play some and still redshirt. Meaning he could still be RED. But I personally believe he is YELLOW.....

 

[Zone-Blitz]

I don’t see a circumstance where Oweh redshirts. At the most conservative, he’s a yellow. I don’t know where on Earth Pickel is getting a red light from.

I don’t think Oweh is ready yet, watching him in that UA all american game, I thought there was no way he was ready for BIG ten offensive tackles. DE is a tough position to come in and play right away. You don’t want to throw Oweh in and destroy his confidence. I think they bring him along like they did for shane simmons

 

[NJPSU]

Thanks for posting these.

A little less heralded than some of the others in the class, Daniel George looks like one of the most college ready freshman I've ever seen. (physically speaking)

Yeah George had a grab in one of the videos in this thread where he looked like a beast. He’s not built like a freshman and he can move.

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

Yeah George had a grab in one of the videos in this thread where he looked like a beast. He’s not built like a freshman and he can move.

I always note that George, iirc, had a Top 5-10 (in the whole Opening camp thing) shuttle time in the country. Everyone near him was 30 pounds lighter.

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[ChiTownLion]

View embedded media

Great insight on our defensive ends. Worth the read.

 

[ChiTownLion]

 

[LurkerLazarus]

For all of his glowing reputation, Shorter still looks facially like a kid, especially compared to some of the others. He is going to be a monster.

Slade, for instance, looks like he is about 3 years older than Shorter.

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Raffycorn]

View embedded media

Micah is going to be an absolute destroyer for the next three seasons.

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

Looked like Polk was running with the twos at practice yesterday. Not to make too much of one slice of practice reporters are able to see, but that might be an indication that "The Human Joystick" KJ Hamler is currently a starter at the Z.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

The buzz around Parsons is also reaching a new high....dude is going to straight up go Arrington on people this year.

 

[Judge Smails]

The buzz around Parsons is also reaching a new high....dude is going to straight up go Arrington on people this year.

We won't know that until he kicks the ass of the Pitt punter.

 

[Judge Smails]

MGoBlog writeup on Penn State. Gives us lower fear factor than Wisconsin (8) Michigan State (8) or Ohio State (9). People sleeping on our defense. Also, Moorehead reign coincides with getting better talent on the field.

Penn State
Last year: 11-2 (7-2 B1G), Beat Washington in the Fiesta Bowl 35-28

Recap: Penn State was reeeeeally close to the College Football Playoff in 2017, as their two losses were by a combined 4 points. The first was a 39-38 loss to Ohio State after holding an 11-point lead with five minutes left (now, if you take a deep dive into the numbers, a win in this game would have been significantly luckier/less likely than their win over OSU in 2016, which was basically a Rube Goldberg machine triggered by a magical unicorn fart over an open flame… but at the end of the day, scoreboard is scoreboard). The following week, Penn State had a 14-7 lead and was generally controlling play against Michigan State before a THREE HOUR AND TWENTY-THREE MINUTE rain delay dropped, after which Sparty papayaballedtheir way to the upset. Still, they come into 2018 having won 20 of their 23 games since Michigan beat them by 39 points, which is a heck of an improvement for a team that went 32-26 from JoePa’s firing until that game they lost to Michigan. By 39 points.

People have spoken at great lengths about the turnover Penn State will have to deal with on offense this year, but that is overblown to an extent. True, Saquon Barkley is gone. But Miles Sanders is stylistically – if not Kryptonianly – similar to Barkley. They lose DaeSean Hamilton, but they return Juwan Johnson. They lose a couple of offensive linemen, but the offensive line kinda sucked anyway, at least relative to their running game success. They lose Mike Gesicki, but for as good as Gesicki was as an offensive weapon, he was equally Nerf-like as a blocker.

The real offensive turnover to watch will be the transition from Joe Moorhead to new OC Ricky Rahne. Penn State’s offense, and especially the passing offense, thrived in the two years under Moorhead. In the six years before that, they did not.



When last we saw them: Penn State beat Michigan by 29 points. Which is a lot. It’s not quite 39, of course. But it’s still a lot.

This team is as frightening as: A team that beat you by 29 points, but who you beat by 56 points in the three games before that. Fear Level = 7.5

Michigan should worry about: Penn State’s defense was every bit as good as its offense. They surrendered the 5th fewest points per game against FCS competition of any team in the country, more than two points per game better than Michigan.

Michigan can sleep soundly about: Michigan will almost literally not face the 2017 Penn State defense. They lose their entire secondary (three of whom were selected in the NFL Draft), linebackers Jason Cabinda and Brandon Smith, and defensive tackles Cothran, Corthren, Cothrun, and Crorthrarn. Since the start of fall practice, they also lost defensive ends Ryan Buccholz and Torrence Brown to medical retirement, and DE Shane Simmons was recently spotted in a walking boot.

When they play Michigan: Tuddies will be in short supply.

First game: vs. Appalachian State, 3:30 p.m., BTN

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[grinagrin]

Looked like Polk was running with the twos at practice yesterday. Not to make too much of one slice of practice reporters are able to see, but that might be an indication that "The Human Joystick" KJ Hamler is currently a starter at the Z.

I may be wrong but isn’t Hamler a slot receiver? Could it be that phenom Justin Shorter will be starting out wide along with J.J and Thompkins?....never understood moving Polk out wide...

 

[Mudge1026]

MGoBlog writeup on Penn State. Gives us lower fear factor than Wisconsin (8) Michigan State (8) or Ohio State (9). People sleeping on our defense. Also, Moorehead reign coincides with getting better talent on the field.

Penn State
Last year: 11-2 (7-2 B1G), Beat Washington in the Fiesta Bowl 35-28

Recap: Penn State was reeeeeally close to the College Football Playoff in 2017, as their two losses were by a combined 4 points. The first was a 39-38 loss to Ohio State after holding an 11-point lead with five minutes left (now, if you take a deep dive into the numbers, a win in this game would have been significantly luckier/less likely than their win over OSU in 2016, which was basically a Rube Goldberg machine triggered by a magical unicorn fart over an open flame… but at the end of the day, scoreboard is scoreboard). The following week, Penn State had a 14-7 lead and was generally controlling play against Michigan State before a THREE HOUR AND TWENTY-THREE MINUTE rain delay dropped, after which Sparty papayaballedtheir way to the upset. Still, they come into 2018 having won 20 of their 23 games since Michigan beat them by 39 points, which is a heck of an improvement for a team that went 32-26 from JoePa’s firing until that game they lost to Michigan. By 39 points.

People have spoken at great lengths about the turnover Penn State will have to deal with on offense this year, but that is overblown to an extent. True, Saquon Barkley is gone. But Miles Sanders is stylistically – if not Kryptonianly – similar to Barkley. They lose DaeSean Hamilton, but they return Juwan Johnson. They lose a couple of offensive linemen, but the offensive line kinda sucked anyway, at least relative to their running game success. They lose Mike Gesicki, but for as good as Gesicki was as an offensive weapon, he was equally Nerf-like as a blocker.

The real offensive turnover to watch will be the transition from Joe Moorhead to new OC Ricky Rahne. Penn State’s offense, and especially the passing offense, thrived in the two years under Moorhead. In the six years before that, they did not.



When last we saw them: Penn State beat Michigan by 29 points. Which is a lot. It’s not quite 39, of course. But it’s still a lot.

This team is as frightening as: A team that beat you by 29 points, but who you beat by 56 points in the three games before that. Fear Level = 7.5

Michigan should worry about: Penn State’s defense was every bit as good as its offense. They surrendered the 5th fewest points per game against FCS competition of any team in the country, more than two points per game better than Michigan.

Michigan can sleep soundly about: Michigan will almost literally not face the 2017 Penn State defense. They lose their entire secondary (three of whom were selected in the NFL Draft), linebackers Jason Cabinda and Brandon Smith, and defensive tackles Cothran, Corthren, Cothrun, and Crorthrarn. Since the start of fall practice, they also lost defensive ends Ryan Buccholz and Torrence Brown to medical retirement, and DE Shane Simmons was recently spotted in a walking boot.

When they play Michigan: Tuddies will be in short supply.

First game: vs. Appalachian State, 3:30 p.m., BTN

Boy that evaluation was “snarky”, so in other words Michigan’s win over Penn St two seasons ago was more impressive than our win over them. Okay, got it.

 

[Judge Smails]

I may be wrong but isn’t Hamler a slot receiver? Could it be that phenom Justin Shorter will be starting out wide along with J.J and Thompkins?....never understood moving Polk out wide...

I think they like having a better blocker at slot than Hamler is at this point.

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

Dotson!

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

Fitz: “Parsons has as much physical talent as any player whio has ever come to Penn State, including Saquon.”

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast...1228459191?mt=2#episodeGuid=Buzzsprout-783906

 

[grinagrin]

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