OT: How does Franklin keep losing these?

[Gitzit]

So the cignetti model does not work?



Why didn't you post this before the season?

Remember Amare Campbell was insulted by how much PSU offered. Do you think Matt didn't want to keep another good LB, or was it we couldn't pay him that much? I think we just have to face the fact PSU is not a "blueblood", the new "bluebloods" are those stockpiling and paying the most money to players. OSU, Oregon, Texas, Indiana etc.
Nobody really knows what is going on behind the scenes

 

[cntblvitsbutter]

He has it down to a science. And the worst big game record in the history of college football. He reached his ceiling…should have been gone after he lost the Indiana game a few years back…assume he got a pass because of COVID and Sandy’s ridiculous buyout.

The only way that extension makes any sense is if she was getting kickbacks from JF.

 

[cntblvitsbutter]

The mystery to me is how many apparently didn't see this coming.

Personally, I thought MC would be a massive improvement in terms of putting the best players in the best position to succeed. I thought he was bringing over the cream of the crop of the ISU team. Mix in some key holderovers and key portal additions and the seemingly easy schedule, I thought 9-3 was a realistic goal. I ignored the team being basically gutted before he even got here. I ignored the highly regarded ISU WR coach who took another job after committing to come to Penn State. I ignored that Lions had absolutely no depth, so just a few key injuries could derail the whole season.

My main concern going forward is that the staff doesn't look like a playoff caliber staff. Talent can be added, but the lack of imaginative play calling on both Off and Def, the lack of in-game adjustments, doesn't bode well for the future.

I would think talent-wise, this is team is similar to Purdue, Minn, Rutgers and Maryland. If we can finish the year 7-5, I'd have some hope for next year. 6-6 and I'm thinking next year is gonna be a similar struggle. Anything less and I'm thinking MC was a huge mistake by a guy out of his depth, which I think anyway.

 

[wptlion]

You can’t lose 30 players to graduation, 46 to the transfer portal and a 20+ recruiting class and then have the new coach come in and work a miracle. That is on the AD and not the new coach. Of course a reasonable, intelligent and educated person would easily tell you that. You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken $h!t. There is nearly zero talent on this team, especially on defense and it shows. When PSU played teams with a similar talent level they won. That is how devoid of talent and athleticism this team is. Right now almost every B10 team has a more talented roster. The rest of the season is not going to be pretty.

This is it, we can all argue whether Kraft is a retard or if Matt can make game day decisions better the JF. But anyone who complains about the talent that MC didn't get is living in a different world. With the benefit of hindsight, Kraft should have waited until the end of the season to fire JF. But had he done that everyone would have been pissed at him for not firing him sooner.

 

[op2]

I looked up Cal-VT play by play. It was Cal 19 VT 14 when VT scored a TD with 1:15 left. They went for two and didn't make it. So it's VT 20 Cal 19.

A few plays after the kickoff, with 38 seconds left in the game, Cal had it 2nd & 10 on their own 37. They throw an incomplete pass. So 3rd & 10, right? No, there was a roughing the passer penalty. So 1st & 10 on the VT 48.

Next play: Incomplete pass but pass interference on VT. 15 yards. So now it's 1st & 10 on the VT 33.

Next play was a 31 yard pass to put it at the 2. Cal ran it in from there, and their two point conversion failed to make it Cal 25 VT 20, which is how it ended.

Time of possession, first downs, total yards penalty yards were almost exactly even. And as someone else noted, there were no turnovers by either team.

The stat I see that might have been the difference was this. VT was 4-11 on 3rd down and 0-0 on 4th. Cal was 8-16 on 3rd down and 1-1 on 4th.

 

[BobPSU92]

I looked up Cal-VT play by play. It was Cal 19 VT 14 when VT scored a TD with 1:15 left. They went for two and didn't make it. So it's VT 20 Cal 19.

A few plays after the kickoff, with 38 seconds left in the game, Cal had it 2nd & 10 on their own 37. They throw an incomplete pass. So 3rd & 10, right? No, there was a roughing the passer penalty. So 1st & 10 on the VT 48.

Next play: Incomplete pass but pass interference on VT. 15 yards. So now it's 1st & 10 on the VT 33.

Next play was a 31 yard pass to put it at the 2. Cal ran it in from there, and their two point conversion failed to make it Cal 25 VT 20, which is how it ended.

Time of possession, first downs, total yards penalty yards were almost exactly even. And as someone else noted, there were no turnovers by either team.

The stat I see that might have been the difference was this. VT was 4-11 on 3rd down and 0-0 on 4th. Cal was 8-16 on 3rd down and 1-1 on 4th.

Which team won the EXPLOSIVE. PLAY. BATTLE. ?

Which team won the MIDDLE. EIGHT. ?

 

[Nitt1300]

Which team won the EXPLOSIVE. PLAY. BATTLE. ?

Which team won the MIDDLE. EIGHT. ?

not PSU

 

[Bvillebaron]

For kicks, I checked the VT vs Cal box score and absolutely nothing sticks out as to why VT lost. Grunk played a clean game, the team had no turnovers, they had fewer penalties, and had more first downs. As is Franklin’s signature style of losing, he has a lead in the 4th quarter and loses it right at the end.

I live in NOVA and a friend went to the game out west. I warned him that Franklin tends to follow up a loss with another loss. And that his losses frequently come from ahead. And that they’re always close, rip-your-heart-out kinds of games.

And listen, of course I see how we’re doing and we really don’t have any stones to throw—but things certainly didn’t get better for Franklin “doing more with more.”

OT: Why are you still fixated on Franklin a year after his firing? Carr to share any insightful comments on Campbell’s coaching performance last night against USC?

 

[Bison13]

LB #8 is just last years LB #0 but 2 inches taller

 

[Bvillebaron]

He has it down to a science. And the worst big game record in the history of college football. He reached his ceiling…should have been gone after he lost the Indiana game a few years back…assume he got a pass because of COVID and Sandy’s ridiculous buyout.

Speaking of getting things down to a science, after yesterday’s loss to Indiana Nebraska has now lost 31 straight to ranked opponents. But don’t let your Franklin Derangement Syndrome get in the way of an assinine comment a year after he was fired.

 

[Bvillebaron]

You can’t lose 30 players to graduation, 46 to the transfer portal and a 20+ recruiting class and then have the new coach come in and work a miracle. That is on the AD and not the new coach. Of course a reasonable, intelligent and educated person would easily tell you that. You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken $h!t. There is nearly zero talent on this team, especially on defense and it shows. When PSU played teams with a similar talent level they won. That is how devoid of talent and athleticism this team is. Right now almost every B10 team has a more talented roster. The rest of the season is not going to be pretty.

Got that figured out huh? Not much gets past you.

 

[KingLando]

Chesney is a Cignetti like, charismatic coach. Kraft wanted someone who would show fealty to him.

Wait wait wait...Cignetti is many things but he'd laugh at you for saying he's charismatic.

 

[dcf4psu]

For kicks, I checked the VT vs Cal box score and absolutely nothing sticks out as to why VT lost. Grunk played a clean game, the team had no turnovers, they had fewer penalties, and had more first downs. As is Franklin’s signature style of losing, he has a lead in the 4th quarter and loses it right at the end.

I live in NOVA and a friend went to the game out west. I warned him that Franklin tends to follow up a loss with another loss. And that his losses frequently come from ahead. And that they’re always close, rip-your-heart-out kinds of games.

And listen, of course I see how we’re doing and we really don’t have any stones to throw—but things certainly didn’t get better for Franklin “doing more with more.”

No one is better than taking a tough loss and exacerbating it with an inexplicable loss like Coach Franklin. I really didn't expect Virginia Tech to get to see this so quickly in his first year.

 

[bbrown]

For kicks, I checked the VT vs Cal box score and absolutely nothing sticks out as to why VT lost. Grunk played a clean game, the team had no turnovers, they had fewer penalties, and had more first downs. As is Franklin’s signature style of losing, he has a lead in the 4th quarter and loses it right at the end.

I live in NOVA and a friend went to the game out west. I warned him that Franklin tends to follow up a loss with another loss. And that his losses frequently come from ahead. And that they’re always close, rip-your-heart-out kinds of games.

And listen, of course I see how we’re doing and we really don’t have any stones to throw—but things certainly didn’t get better for Franklin “doing more with more.”

Franklin? You talking about Franklin. LMAO. On a neutral field they probably beat us.

 

[bbrown]

This team is doing about exactly as it should…high end talent is absent…it’s key players are from Iowa State…recipe for turnaround = a lot more NIL $

NIL is not the reason we lost to NW. Will more NIL money turn Campbell into a better game day coach, cause right now he sucks at it. Maybe more NIL will get us some better supporting coaches.

 

[bbrown]

This is like the crew of the Titanic assuring it's passengers that other ships are resting at the bottom of the ocean as well. LOL what a complete fanboy clown. Can we resurrect that "The one play that defines the Matt Campbell era" Thread you gushed over after the Marshall Game? That aged like milk.
I think it's precious for a self-professed PSU fan to worry about any other program when PSU is in last place. The good news is, the future looks worse. No 2026 class, a 2027 class that's 7th in the conference. No top 20 NIL money to acquire difference makers in the portal. Based on his in game decisions.....he's a wiz on time outs.....are you still feeding us the garbage that Campbell sees talent where no one else does and then "coaches em up?" LOLLOLLOLLOL
This coach paid 30 million for a roster that:
Has no edge rusher....therefore no pass rush without blitzing and subjecting the D to be carved up
Has 1 competent linebacker
Not a single above average running back-
Some of the worst and least athletic DTs I've ever seen at PSU
A defense that is unathletic and slower in lateral pursuit than any in recent memory.....but the good news is you can run right at them too (Northwestern).
Brought 24 Cyclones to PSU of which perhaps 5 or 6 belong in the Big Ten.
Hang on to Franklin losing at VT. Because his record at PSU is 104-45. The only reason Campbell will be back next year is because 1. The AD can't admit he chose the wrong coach. 2, PSU can't afford to buy him out. By the way....at this rate, Campbell's record at PSU would be 75-75.
I thought the point of getting rid of Franklin was "WE DESERVE BETTER?"
But remember this above all, Bob Chesney wanted this job.

If Va Tech and PSU were to play on a neutral field I would take Va Tech.

 

[bbrown]

The defense lost the game. They should have won the Pitt game. but the refs screwed Tech.
Grunkemeyer is probably the best QB that has ever put on a Penn State uniform next to Kerry anyway.
His ball placement is incredible.

I kind of put the 2 losses on the Kicker but yea Pry's D fell apart.
I do like Grunk but I'm not going that far. I still have McSorley and Daryl Clark ahead of him.

 

[bbrown]

VaTech fans should be learning just what they got. They were mighty excited about Franklin pre-season.

Franklin talks a good game, seems to recruit well, but ultimately can't finish games against good opponents.

Sounds a lot like our current AD and HC. But hey were "growing forward"

 

[bbrown]

Campbell is worse than Franklin.

So far he is.

 

[bbrown]

You can’t lose 30 players to graduation, 46 to the transfer portal and a 20+ recruiting class and then have the new coach come in and work a miracle. That is on the AD and not the new coach. Of course a reasonable, intelligent and educated person would easily tell you that. You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken $h!t. There is nearly zero talent on this team, especially on defense and it shows. When PSU played teams with a similar talent level they won. That is how devoid of talent and athleticism this team is. Right now almost every B10 team has a more talented roster. The rest of the season is not going to be pretty.

Yes a lot of it is on Kraft but a lot of it is also on Matt C. Remember He himself said he will not talk to another team until after the season. Thats too late in this age of college football.

 

[bbrown]

Blaming Campbell for this stinking pile of crap is typical fan think- stupid.

This is 100% Kraft's mess.

I'll go 60/40 Kraft. But Campbell does have a hand in this.

 

[bbrown]

Personally, I thought MC would be a massive improvement in terms of putting the best players in the best position to succeed. I thought he was bringing over the cream of the crop of the ISU team. Mix in some key holderovers and key portal additions and the seemingly easy schedule, I thought 9-3 was a realistic goal. I ignored the team being basically gutted before he even got here. I ignored the highly regarded ISU WR coach who took another job after committing to come to Penn State. I ignored that Lions had absolutely no depth, so just a few key injuries could derail the whole season.

My main concern going forward is that the staff doesn't look like a playoff caliber staff. Talent can be added, but the lack of imaginative play calling on both Off and Def, the lack of in-game adjustments, doesn't bode well for the future.

I would think talent-wise, this is team is similar to Purdue, Minn, Rutgers and Maryland. If we can finish the year 7-5, I'd have some hope for next year. 6-6 and I'm thinking next year is gonna be a similar struggle. Anything less and I'm thinking MC was a huge mistake by a guy out of his depth, which I think anyway.

Disagree about the adjustments, I think both Mouser and Lynn are doing everything they can. They just cant cover for everyone. Talent means things and we are seriously lacking it in a lot of areas. Wasn't McNeal an all Big 12 safety?

 

[BobPSU92]

Franklin? You talking about Franklin. LMAO. On a neutral field they probably beat us.

No such thing as a neutral field. Everyone hates us.

 

[bbrown]

LB #8 is just last years LB #0 but 2 inches taller

I would take 2 Dom's over Ebel and Brezina.

 

[Marshall2323]

If Va Tech and PSU were to play on a neutral field I would take Va Tech.

Two bad defenses

 

[KingLando]

Franklin? You talking about Franklin. LMAO. On a neutral field they probably beat us.

Based on what? You're overreaction to our games and ignoring Va Tech?

 

[bbrown]

Two bad defenses

I do like Tech's DE's better than ours, at least right now.
but after watching the Hokie kicker blow the last 2 games I might take Baker and PSU in a squeaker.

 

[KingLando]

I kind of put the 2 losses on the Kicker but yea Pry's D fell apart.
I do like Grunk but I'm not going that far. I still have McSorley and Daryl Clark ahead of him.

You believe they only lost because of their kicker--wow
Grunk is so incredibly overrated here--Becht outplayed him yesterday against a much better defense

 

[Chumboshifko1]

what a burn.

Yes it was, you're smoking, niccy.

 

[NOYDB]

MC might not be the answer but we will not know that for a few years.. As many have already stated, it was a **** show hiring process and put this roster talent level at the worst level in 20 years!

WE do know that BGJ was NOT the answer and that will prove to be true down in Blacksburg as well.

This team might not win another game this year, so the dumbass AD better have some big NIL answers come the seasons end.. What about the jersey patch $$ Pat?

 

[BobPSU92]

Maybe adidas is the jersey patch deal.

 

[Marshall2323]

Thanks for proving my point.

And I never said anything in any of my posts that Penn State was following the Cignetti model. Because they were not. They were following the Kraft model of getting rid of nearly the entire team and starting from scratch. Basically the baby was thrown out with the bath water. I’m surprised any coach wanted to come to Penn State (as the old commercial stated) at that late date when it was pretty much too late to do anything.

Precisely. I've been saying since November, Kraft took what should have been a coaching change and turned it into a total rebuild. He told anyone who would listen he had no regard for the 2025 roster ...labeling them soft and left the commits and parents (2026) who were pleading for clarity to twist in the wind for 54 days. Recruiting is still suffering as parents are correctly suspicious of the consequences of committing here. He then permitted Sitake time to finish with BYU without a signed agreement, convinced that much of its roster would join him here. We know what happened there. Enter Matt Campbell. Who knows where PSU goes from here. But we have a 750m investment in the stadium. LOL

 

[rigi19041]

Remember Amare Campbell was insulted by how much PSU offered. Do you think Matt didn't want to keep another good LB, or was it we couldn't pay him that much? I think we just have to face the fact PSU is not a "blueblood", the new "bluebloods" are those stockpiling and paying the most money to players. OSU, Oregon, Texas, Indiana etc.
Nobody really knows what is going on behind the scenes

Your point is garbage if you look at how much the isu players received. A lot of isu players got more money than the players psu lost.

 

[KingLando]

Your point is garbage if you look at how much the isu players received. A lot of isu players got more money than the players psu lost.

How much did they receive?
Prove what they got more than those that left
I love this nonsense

 

[ApexLion]

vo tech just needs to upgrade the facilities.

Bigger runway

 

[lyndj]

VaTech fans should be learning just what they got. They were mighty excited about Franklin pre-season.

Franklin talks a good game, seems to recruit well, but ultimately can't finish games against good opponents.

And what exactly do we have? That glass house you live in is shattered.

 

[lyndj]

Blaming Campbell for this stinking pile of crap is typical fan think- stupid.

This is 100% Kraft's mess.

Sure. The coach is accountable for the lousy game day coaching and for bringing in less than talented players. Stop making excuses. A better recruiter would've had a relationship with better players. period.

 

[Indian rocks rich]

How's that working out for us?

Wasn’t any better last year when coach franklin had his best team in 12 years and lost 6 in a row

 

[Marshall2323]

Wasn’t any better last year when coach franklin had his best team in 12 years and lost 6 in a row

104-45 Franklin's record is in the books. Matt Campbell is enjoying excellence at the highest level.

 

[Marshall2323]

Wasn’t any better last year when coach franklin had his best team in 12 years and lost 6 in a row

That's why Franklin was fired. When's the newsconference?