FC/OT: Is Cory Giger right?

Midnighter

Heisman
Jan 22, 2021
12,755
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Campbell is in a tough spot but unless he recruits at Franklin’s level (or better) this sh*t isn’t going to work. One thing to outkick your coverage at Iowa State quite another in the B1G. I don’t follow recruiting anymore - how are things looking on that front? Kraft should be fired honestly - absolute shitsh*w.
 

psuro

Heisman
Aug 24, 2001
9,785
21,532
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64% wining percentage at Toledo
58% winning percentage at Iowa State

This is what you get when you don't think through your management decisions before you execute them.

I have not yet given up on the season, but have severly refocussed my expectations. Now, it's just a winning season, get to a bowl and get 15 more practices for the guys that may come back.
 

KingLando

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Giger is overeacting like most here
Fire Kraft...that's fine but of course MC gets 3 years and of course this year's team isn't great because of how it had to be assembled. Kraft's biggest mistake was forcing the next coach to keep Terry Smith. Terry failed miserably to keep the class together and other candidates were unwilling to take the role without being able to fully build their own staff.

MC may or may not work out but anyone in our base that has lost faith after 5 games isn't a rational person.
 

Midnighter

Heisman
Jan 22, 2021
12,755
21,187
113
Giger is overeacting like most here
Fire Kraft...that's fine but of course MC gets 3 years and of course this year's team isn't great because of how it had to be assembled. Kraft's biggest mistake was forcing the next coach to keep Terry Smith. Terry failed miserably to keep the class together and other candidates were unwilling to take the role without being able to fully build their own staff.

MC may or may not work out but anyone in our base that has lost faith after 5 games isn't a rational person.

I think it’s rational. What about the last two games has you optimistic? Guessing we’re killing it in recruiting and you’re playing the long game?
 
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psuno1

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Yes, going to be a long 3 or 4 years. Look at the bright side BigNoon will not be coming to PSU anytime soon.
 

KingLando

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I think it’s rational. What about the last two games has you optimistic? Guessing we’re killing it in recruiting and you’re playing the long game?
We lost to Wisconsin in a tight game without our best player. I'm optimistic that MC at least plays Howard.
I said all along 2026 and 2027 weren't going to be great years and the goal was to contended in 2028. If he can't do that he won't see 2029. The expectation was a loss yesterday. We lost. I don't get the angst.
 
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Midnighter

Heisman
Jan 22, 2021
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We lost to Wisconsin in a tight game without our best player. I'm optimistic that MC at least plays Howard.
I said all along 2026 and 2027 weren't going to be great years and the goal was to contended in 2028. If he can't do that he won't see 2029. The expectation was a loss yesterday. We lost. I don't get the angst.

I think it’s related to the fact that other programs who made hires last year are having big wins. Dunno. See Kentucky and UCLA. Will catch up with you in 2028.
 

psuro

Heisman
Aug 24, 2001
9,785
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I think it’s rational. What about the last two games has you optimistic? Guessing we’re killing it in recruiting and you’re playing the long game?
If it's the long game, what it is about Matt Campbell that anyone thinks is going to make PSU better, and consistently better, than it has been since 1986? I honestly can't think of anything.
 

Chumboshifko1

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Oct 15, 2025
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Campbell is in a tough spot but unless he recruits at Franklin’s level (or better) this sh*t isn’t going to work. One thing to outkick your coverage at Iowa State quite another in the B1G. I don’t follow recruiting anymore - how are things looking on that front? Kraft should be fired honestly - absolute shitsh*w.


Giger's been right maybe 4 times in his life.
 

KingLando

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I think it’s related to the fact that other programs who made hires last year are having big wins. Dunno. See Kentucky and UCLA. Will catch up with you in 2028.
I'd have hired either of their coaches over MC which is why I'd fire Kraft. But it's 5 games...I work with Va Tech fans that truly thought they were going to run the table this year after 4 and now they hate Franklin. Fans by nature are irrational and bigger programs even more so. If you would have said we'd be 3-2 I'd have only been mildly surprised.
 

pendal1

Senior
Apr 24, 2003
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I think it’s related to the fact that other programs who made hires last year are having big wins. Dunno. See Kentucky and UCLA. Will catch up with you in 2028.
Agreed. Right now there is nothing, absolutely nothing to be optimistic about. The talent level of this team looks putrid and that's on coaching. The scheming also looks like garbage. Think of all the third and six calls where our play calls picked up two and three yards.
Just abysmal.
 

Midnighter

Heisman
Jan 22, 2021
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I'd have hired either of their coaches over MC which is why I'd fire Kraft. But it's 5 games...I work with Va Tech fans that truly thought they were going to run the table this year after 4 and now they hate Franklin. Fans by nature are irrational and bigger programs even more so. If you would have said we'd be 3-2 I'd have only been mildly surprised.

Wouldn’t you agree that our roster / even after all the turnover - is better than both Wisconsin and Northwestern by a good margin? Campbell has not shown that he is a good coach and is a more likable version of Franklin on GameDay with worse recruiting chops.
 

KingLando

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Agreed. Right now there is nothing, absolutely nothing to be optimistic about. The talent level of this team looks putrid and that's on coaching. The scheming also looks like garbage. Think of all the third and six calls where our play calls picked up two and three yards.
Just abysmal.
You have to give Northwestern some credit on those 3rd down calls--they did a great job taking away the first read
I know people think Northwestern and believe they're not good--they are good. Indiana saw that.
 

KingLando

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Wouldn’t you agree that our roster / even after all the turnover - is better than both Wisconsin and Northwestern by a good margin? Campbell has not shown that he is a good coach and is a more likable version of Franklin on GameDay with worse recruiting chops.
Wisconsin--yes
Northwestern--no, I think they're VERY underrated

MC has a very good track record under the age of 50--will it translate? Who knows.
Franklin was my first choice when we hired him and I was fine with him until losing the team after Oregon. Franklin screwed up a lot after 2024--starting with giving Allar horrible advice.
I'm going to give MC three years--I bet heavy on Northwestern last night for a reason. If Howard returns by Michigan we win 6 or 7 games--if he doesn't then we win 5
 

PSU Soupy 615

Junior
Aug 3, 2008
193
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NW might be the 3rd or 4th best team in Big 10 this year. the Big 10 is down this year, but NW is a good solid, well coached team. they are also tough. If you can play decent defense and run the ball you can win anywhere. I thought that this description would be PSU......... not NW.

The roster is just not very good. Outside of a couple of the DBs, maybe Rojas......who is a solid Pro Prospect? TE? Hard to win when you do not have the Jimmies and the Joes.
 
Dec 1, 2014
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Here is my 2 cents- the Iowa state players aren't that good- PSU was 6-6 and a lot of the good players left. Howard got hurt which sucks. Campbell is loyal to Becht and over valued him. Would PSU have won Wisky and NW with Franklin Saban or Meyer dunno. The roster isn't very good. The Defensive scheme is flawed but you can't make Chicken Salad out of Chicken Crap-

my suggestions turn the page play Manske ( sp) play younger WR hope when Koby gets back he can help.

figure out the OL -

my only concern is that Campbell will be too loyal to his guys
 

KingLando

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We're not even giving ourselves a chance when the play calls are not at the sticks. Garbage.
I mean, I get what you're saying but the majority of the plays were called for the sticks--Rocco just came off them to the underneath guy. I don't like the play calling but Northwestern deserves credit here.
 

MtNittany

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Oct 12, 2021
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Campbell is in a tough spot but unless he recruits at Franklin’s level (or better) this sh*t isn’t going to work. One thing to outkick your coverage at Iowa State quite another in the B1G. I don’t follow recruiting anymore - how are things looking on that front? Kraft should be fired honestly - absolute shitsh*w.

Corey Giger. I forgot about him.
 

PSU-Dude

Freshman
Jul 25, 2015
42
68
18
Here is my 2 cents- the Iowa state players aren't that good- PSU was 6-6 and a lot of the good players left. Howard got hurt which sucks. Campbell is loyal to Becht and over valued him. Would PSU have won Wisky and NW with Franklin Saban or Meyer dunno. The roster isn't very good. The Defensive scheme is flawed but you can't make Chicken Salad out of Chicken Crap-

my suggestions turn the page play Manske ( sp) play younger WR hope when Koby gets back he can help.

figure out the OL -

my only concern is that Campbell will be too loyal to his guys

I think we're seeing that with the LB that wears #8.....dude was awful!
 

ApexLion

Heisman
Nov 1, 2021
6,459
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Redo both lines, find some hungry nasty types for a start.

Rojas, Tatsch, Cam at LB

Martin and Wallace at TB

that’s an obvious start
 

PAgeologist

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I think it’s rational. What about the last two games has you optimistic? Guessing we’re killing it in recruiting and you’re playing the long game?
I thought Campbell was a good hire. But the cupboard looked pretty bare when he got here for returning talent. Plus virtually no recruiting class.

The way they lost the last 2 weeks is very concerning. Especially considering the opponents. They looked like they had no interest in playing the last 6 quarters. Becht returning after the half against NW is an awful decision.

He better knock this recruiting class and portal acquisition period out of the park. This year looks like a lost cause.
 

MtNittany

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Redo both lines, find some hungry nasty types for a start.

Rojas, Tatsch, Cam at LB

Martin and Wallace at TB

that’s an obvious start
People calling for Manske are just going to get Rocco II imo. Let the D3 kid have a chance.


 

BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
45,576
37,774
113
If Penn State were to fire Campbell after this season, who would they hire?

Chesney is locked up at ucla. Is there a 2026 version of Chesney?

Finally break down and hire urban? He isn’t getting younger, and he would expect $50 million in NIL. o_O , which we don’t have.
 

KingLando

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Redo both lines, find some hungry nasty types for a start.

Rojas, Tatsch, Cam at LB

Martin and Wallace at TB

that’s an obvious start
RB is the complete opposite. Neither of those two should play
Rojas should be at DE--he's awful in space
 

MtNittany

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I believe Manske was a fairly highly recruited 4*. Plus he cant be that much worse than Becht.
Becht has to go. It's as simple as that. Playing him at this stage of his career for what? Pro prospects? Where? Canada? Maybe?

Connor Barry doesn't make much sense either, but we have to win some games.

Manske just had freakin' heart surgery ffs.
 
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KingLando

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I thought Campbell was a good hire. But the cupboard looked pretty bare when he got here for returning talent. Plus virtually no recruiting class.

The way they lost the last 2 weeks is very concerning. Especially considering the opponents. They looked like they had no interest in playing the last 6 quarters. Becht returning after the half against NW is an awful decision.

He better knock this recruiting class and portal acquisition period out of the park. This year looks like a lost cause.
You're underestimating Northwestern.
 

WestSideLion

All-American
May 29, 2001
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I think it’s rational. What about the last two games has you optimistic? Guessing we’re killing it in recruiting and you’re playing the long game?
The past 2 games have been Dark Years like. When you can’t run the football on O or stop the run on D, you are a 3-4 win team in the Big Ten.

I’m not giving up on Campbell, but what happens next will be critical for how PSU fans view him. He can’t drift through the season aimlessly like this and save face.

This isn’t Iowa St where they’ll love you forever for a few 8 win seasons.

Kraft is the one who is in real jeopardy. He acted rashly then compounded that mistake with a botched coaching search that allowed the program to fall apart.

Maybe we’ll learn more about what went on between him and Franklin over time. It definitely smacked of a Kraft vendetta.
 
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