In one of my preseason articles I discussed candidates for Oregon’s new B1G Rivials, and on my list of five potential rivals, Penn State came in at No. 2. After Oregon’s 30-24 win in their house during their most celebrated tradition, it’s clear that the Oregon-Penn State rivalry is taking form. For the second time in less than a year, ...

The Oregon-Penn State Rivalry is Here

Awesome article David. Even Josh Pate echoes your thoughts about Penn State's title chances.

I must say, James Franklin is an elite coach. He doesn't have a talent advantage, but he's been able to give his team, with warts and talent holes at key positions, and a chance to tie or win games against more talented teams.

His fan base , quite frankly, is spoiled like Ohio State's. Without any evidence backing their claim he can't coach. They claim he falls behind because he's soft and too conservative. Hogwash.

His teams get out muscled, and his staff finds ways to climb back into contention. And he got lucky. Lupoi switched his 3-4 front to a 4-2 in the fourth quarter.

But Lupoi was plain awesome Saturday. The best he's been. Franklin still dialed up Max Protect to get his team a shot. Then exploited that flaw I keep pointing out in the Mint defense (sliding the backside DE to the middle of the box).

It came down to one mistake at the end, and an unfortunate reversal on the fumble in the third quarter. Franklin had some bad luck against a team that was slowly taking control of the game, and brought them back despite a talent mismatch.

Penn.State fans should get in their knees and pray for forgiveness. For their arrogance.

As for OBD. GUT check, answer. Coach Lanning is getting better every month. I had that one complaint. But that is mostly because I really don't like the Mint Defense. It only works with real NFL players in my humble/not so humble opinion.

Stein is a beast. Lupoi can actually coach using the right scheme (again my opinion here).

I feel for James Franklin. He has some physical guys that aren't physical enough, and he's going to need to add more schemes to the personality of that team. They don't have the kind of WRa to kill shot elite defenses, so he's going to need to study Stein and some NFL greats to compliment his physical style of play.

David, you called the new fabric of the B1G. And if USUC, the Fuskies, Indiana, Illinois, or one of the other name brand schools decides to step up like Franklin has, the B1G could be dominant for years to come. But PSU definitely has another rivalry for elite pole position in the conference.

How bout OBDs!!!!!

Edited Monday at 12:54 PM2 days by Mike West

I feel like they are our new Stanford, where every season we are capable of ruining each other season.

Honestly coming into the B1G I thought our best comparison was PSU, not Michigan or Ohio State, but Dan Lanning's performance has me questioning that.

2 hours ago, Mike West said:

Awesome article David. Even Josh Pate echoes your thoughts about Penn State's title chances.

I must say, James Franklin is an elite coach. He doesn't have a talent advantage, but he's been able to give his team, with warts and talent holes at key positions, and a chance to tie or win games against more talented teams.

His fan base , quite frankly, is spoiled like Ohio State's. Without any evidence backing their claim he can't coach. They claim he falls behind because he's soft and too conservative. Hogwash.

His teams get out muscled, and his staff finds ways to climb back into contention. And he got lucky. Lupoi switched his 3-4 front to a 4-2 in the fourth quarter.

But Lupoi was plain awesome Saturday. The best he's been. Franklin still dialed up Max Protect to get his team a shot. Then exploited that flaw I keep pointing out in the Mint defense (sliding the backside DE to the middle of the box).

It came down to one mistake at the end, and an unfortunate reversal on the fumble in the third quarter. Franklin had some bad luck against a team that was slowly taking control of the game, and brought them back despite a talent mismatch.

Penn.State fans should get in their knees and pray for forgiveness. For their arrogance.

As for OBD. GUT check, answer. Coach Lanning is getting better every month. I had that one complaint. But that is mostly because I really don't like the Mint Defense. It only works with real NFL players in my humble/not so humble opinion.

Stein is a beast. Lupoi can actually coach using the right scheme (again my opinion here).

I feel for James Franklin. He has some physical guys that aren't physical enough, and he's going to need to add more schemes to the personality of that team. They don't have the kind of WRa to kill shot elite defenses, so he's going to need to study Stein and some NFL greats to compliment his physical style of play.

David, you called the new fabric of the B1G. And if USUC, the Fuskies, Indiana, Illinois, or one of the other name brand schools decides to step up like Franklin has, the B1G could be dominant for years to come. But PSU definitely has another rivalry for elite pole position in the conference.

How bout OBDs!!!!!

I agree with much of this. Great post.

Can you explain more about the Lupoi switch from 3-4 to 4-2? Was that a good or bad thing. I'm not an x's/o's person, so not sure of the implications, though it did seem that PSU's offense found some breathing room later in the game.

Re: Franklin, I agree that the fanbase is more upset than they should be. PSU is always good and, if they get the right players and QB, they can be great. Hard to ask for more than that. If you're in contention every year, one of those years will work out.

5 minutes ago, WTD25 said:

Re: Franklin, I agree that the fanbase is more upset than they should be. PSU is always good and, if they get the right players and QB, they can be great. Hard to ask for more than that. If you're in contention every year, one of those years will work out.

The difficulty the Penn State fan base faces right now is that some are calling for his firing. Which is reactionary and not realistic.

Lets for a moment assume Penn State fires Franklin. Who do they hire that's better? I believe the answer to that question is... No one at least no one obvious.

The problem Penn State faces now is that Franklin has to be introspective and make changes to himself and his program and how it opposites. It isn't good enough and there is no easy fix.

Even changing the offensive scheme comes with risks because do they have the players to do something different? It would also impact the defense in terms of how they opposite as Penn State likes to be a ball control team.

Oregon by the way dominated the time of possession.

Dan Lanning is absolutely a rar coach. He was basically a no name that Oregon nails the hire on and gives him all the supports he could dream of and he's proven he's up to the task as a first time head coach.

Lanning's Ducks are the terror of the B1G for sure.

Oregon is a tier above Penn State. The game shouldn't have gone to overtime really. Missed field goal and some crazy things from Allar at the end kept this from being a double digit win.

Penn State hasn't beaten a top ten team in nine years! They've come close, but until they actually win one of these games I can't call Franklin anywhere close to elite. Franklin himself said after a close loss to Ohio State in 2017 that Penn State was good, but to be great they needed to reach another gear. That was eight years ago and they've lost one score games every year to Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, and now Oregon. Even in that magical 2016 season where they beat Ohio State and won the B1G, they lost a close game to Clay Helton and the Trojans in the Rose Bowl.

James Franklin beats everyone he's supposed to. He's 2-15 against teams where he needs to out coach somebody with an equal or maybe greater talent level. That's not elite.

Great perspectives in the article, David. The days of Beavus and Fusky as Oregon's main rivals are now relics of the past and the ghosts of the old PAC. Maybe Washington again someday.

I have to admit that I had Penn St winning in our prediction contest as I believed that Knowles would have WS's number just enough to stop Oregon's offense when it mattered. The Rose Bowl was just so jarring in terms of getting outcoached on both sides of the ball. The Bucknuts probably had the talent edge, and that made the difference with the enlightened coaching advantage. What I saw Saturday was a more talented Oregon that will be the best of the B1G for the immediate future.

This match up will be exciting to watch for years to come even if Stein moves on and DL replies him with another offensive wunderkind.

Great article to ponder David, thanks?

If we played PSU evety year then it would be a rivalry, for certain. Playing them 4 or 5 times in 10 years doesnt work for this fan.

They are a very good program and Franklin is a proven coach. However the BIG titles are going to Michigan, tOSU and OBD's! With Natties going to tOSU, Michigan and hopefully ODD's this year.

As long as the 5☆ players go to tOSU, Michigan and the Ducks then PSU will put up a great battle but ultimately lose. Michigan is 7-3 in their last 10 games, tOSU since 2006 is 15-3 over the Nittany Lions. The Ducks are 2-0 since joining the BIG.

Most of those games were close and hard fought. But scoreboard counts.

PSU will get a chance soon to change the narrative when they play the Buckeyes. If they lose then no title game and their fan base will be upset.

Time will tell. Go Ducks!

Thank you, DM!

The next regularly scheduled game vs. Penn State is in 2027, when both Penn State and Ohio State visit Autzen. WOW!

One, Not So Fast! I'm not certain Penn State finishing 10-2 with no P4 opponent OOC is a lock for the PO. And PSU could lose more than two games.

The SEC is deep, and as The Athletic asked yesterday, 'Is there a great team amidst all of the very good teams in the SEC?'

Except for Arkansas and Kentucky, no game, even vs. Florida with the Gators' excellent D, is a sure win. How many SEC teams with better OOC opponents than PSU, which is close to, if not all 16 SEC teams, will finish 10-2? And if the committee's metrics truly address SOS, 3-loss SEC teams could be in the mix. At least in the mind of Sankey.

In addition to the game in Columbus against the Ohio State ferocious defense that shut down UW on Saturday, Penn State plays at Iowa and hosts Indiana, with the game against the Hoosiers coming the week after the road game at Ohio State. The Nits' home game against Nebraska could also present a challenge.

The game at Kinnock Stadium sees Joe Moore winner, Iowa DC Phil Parker vs. Knowles. On Saturday, future OBD opponent Iowa kept the Indiana O under the Mendoza Line (😁). I think Indiana's pass game is superior to Penn State's, especially if Penn State cannot run the ball.

Thanks again, David, for another spot-on take.

Hoist the Hoosiers!

8 minutes ago, HappyToBeADuck said:

If we played PSU evety year then it would be a rivalry, for certain. Playing them 4 or 5 times in 10 years doesnt work for this fan.

I would tend to agree that true rivalries need early games and takes decades to develop. But on this new world just ruining each other's seasons and being towards the top of the conference will have to be good enough.

With the pac-12 we were all effectively born into rivalries and were the next generation of the rivalry. Each generation added something more to the rivalry to make it special.

In the B1G our only established rivalries are the ones that we brought with us from the pac-12. Washington, USC and UCLA and then putting Oregon State on double-tripple-secret life support don't have the same feel to them in this bigger pond.

Washington and USC will be good but we're not competing with them for the conference crown at the moment or a playoff spot.

B1G Rivalries will develop in some of our lifetimes but we are on the first generation of these new rivalries.

So Oregon ruining Penn State's shot at a conference title and then turning around to ruin their white out fo a long way to establish the loathing required to make a rivalry.

22 minutes ago, Jon Joseph said:

One, Not So Fast! I'm not certain Penn State finishing 10-2 with no P4 opponent OOC is a lock for the PO. And PSU could lose more than two games.

If PSU loses three games they're done.

But a two loss PSU team with losses to probably no.1 and 2 ranked Ohio State and Oregon probably keeps them in the playoffs picture. Especially if they are only one score losses.

But their ooc schedule is garbage and they should be punished for it if things get tight.

43 minutes ago, EastBayDuckDad said:

Great perspectives in the article, David. The days of Beavus and Fusky as Oregon's main rivals are now relics of the past and the ghosts of the old PAC. Maybe Washington again someday.

I have to admit that I had Penn St winning in our prediction contest as I believed that Knowles would have WS's number just enough to stop Oregon's offense when it mattered. The Rose Bowl was just so jarring in terms of getting outcoached on both sides of the ball. The Bucknuts probably had the talent edge, and that made the difference with the enlightened coaching advantage. What I saw Saturday was a more talented Oregon that will be the best of the B1G for the immediate future.

This match up will be exciting to watch for years to come even if Stein moves on and DL replies him with another offensive wunderkind.

I dont know what some Duck fans were seeing. lol

I went to the casino 4 days before the game and placed my bet on Oregon without one bit of hesitation.

1 hour ago, David Marsh said:

Dan Lanning is absolutely a rar coach. He was basically a no name that Oregon nails the hire on and gives him all the supports he could dream of and he's proven he's up to the task as a first time head coach.

Dan Lanning is a once in a generational hire/coach, and Oregon nailed it.

James Franklin's PSU teams usually do not get blown out by highly ranked opponents. His losses against top teams are close and often agonizing.

As is often the case in football, especially college football, close games come down to which QB played the better game. This was the case Saturday night in Beaver Stadium and also in Athens, Georgia, and Oxford, Mississippi.

The Ducks' D was amazing for three quarters. But before the fourth quarter, where were the PSU Jet Sweep plays? Where were the plays designed to stress the edge of OBD's defense? When Franklin and his OC became aggressive with their play calling, PSU looked like a far different team.

Drew Allar lost another headliner game with a late interception, just as he did vs. OBD in the B1G champ game, Notre Dame in the playoff, and again on Saturday night. The three WRs who Penn State paid a lot of money to put up 10 receiving yards through the third period.

IMO, PSU's timid game plan showed a lack of faith in Allar. You couldn't have a better environment for a home team, and PSU sat on the ball? The disconnect in the passing game vs. three donut hole OOC opponents carried into Saturday's game.

The stubborn effort to run up the middle of OBD's solid defense reminded me of Chip Kelly's sorry, conservative play calling vs. Michigan last season. Ditto Chip's play calling versus a Nebraska team that was wiped out at Indiana the week before, with Ohio State coming off a bye week.

This approach, unfortunately, changed after the post-Michigan meltdown in a players-only meeting with HC Ryan Day, where the players urged Day to open it up on O.

Many players on the PSU team we saw Saturday night will play in the NFL. PSU's timid approach to this game did take the game into OT, but what would the outcome have been if PSU trusted Allar and the O and played not to lose before the 4th quarter?

This kind of game planning, IMO, is where Franklin deserves to be criticized.

6 hours ago, Jon Joseph said:

As is often the case in football, especially college football, close games come down to which QB played the better game.

QB was the difference, as Moore made a number of incredible plays, and in the end....who looked more like the three year starter, and who looked like a newly starting QB? If Moore was a 'Lion...they might be walking away as victors?

But this also comes down to the assistant coaches, and Lanning has been superb at finding a-diamond-in-the-rough in Stein, that nobody heard of, (only a couple years out from coaching high school? That a jab at his hiring) but has become one of the best OCs in the nation.

Small differences that show up at big moments...

Love the article and the follow-ups in this thread.

Hey, it’s the Wild West and there are no rules, so I’m going to invent a rule that a team has to play at Autzen 5 times before they can be considered for rivalry membership.

Edited yesterday at 12:42 AM1 day by JabbaNoBargain

28 minutes ago, JabbaNoBargain said:

Hey, it’s the Wild West and there are no rules, so I’m going to invent a rule that a team has to play at Autzen 5 times before they can be considered for rivalry membership.

Probably fair.

But in terms of some of these rivalries getting some extra juice there is still the possibility of playing Penn State 2 more times this year..somewhat as t unlikely but possible.

Very interesting and well written article sir. The topic of rivalries , both new and old is a great topic to explore. Penn State is like the third wheel in most of it's B1G matchups. Oregon came in with Washington, but there's always room for more.

14 hours ago, David Marsh said:

Probably fair.

But in terms of some of these rivalries getting some extra juice there is still the possibility of playing Penn State 2 more times this year..somewhat as t unlikely but possible.

Random aside.

When I played out the season in the popular CFB video game, I did in fact play PSU 3 times 😆

I think this post by a Penn State fan on the ON3 Penn State board summed it up well. To be honest, I think we are all a bit surprised by the emergence of young talent...

I think the PSU coaches were just like me -- astounded by how good Oregon was. They lost most of their team from last year. They had true freshmen starting all over the place. Their QB had only started 5 games (Allar had started 43 games). By the third quarter it was obvious to me that Oregon's offensive line was better than ours, their defensive line was better than ours, their wide receivers and tight ends were better than ours, their DBs and linebackers were about as good as ours, and their QB was much better than our QB. Since Oregon is so young they will be even better when the play Ohio State for the Big10 championship. Luckily we don't play Oregon next year.

I think the coaches were married to the idea that we ran the ball at will against them last year, so this year we should be able to easily run the ball. When that didn't happen the coaches were perplexed for 3 quarters and didn't adjust the game plan.

However, I don't see any mention of them seeing us as rivals, if anything James Franklin is their "rival" right now...

On 9/29/2025 at 11:48 AM, GatOrlando said:

James Franklin beats everyone he's supposed to. He's 2-15 against teams where he needs to out coach somebody with an equal or maybe greater talent level. That's not elite.

I personally believe that Penn State fans think too highly of their program and have unrealistic expectations (perhaps based on past success). They do not recruit the talent that Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon do so they have to out scheme and out execute those teams. Franklin wins all of the games he is supposed to win, which is why they are always in the conversation for the playoffs.

I think to win, Penn State needs to play like Stanford did under Harbaugh. I’m not sure that they can get the athletes required at the skill positions and the weather is pretty lousy later in the season to play a pass first style of offense. When they hit on a highly skilled QB they can compete for a national championship.

On 9/29/2025 at 8:28 AM, WTD25 said:

Can you explain more about the Lupoi switch from 3-4 to 4-2? Was that a good or bad thing. I'm not an x's/o's person, so not sure of the implications, though it did seem that PSU's offense found some breathing room later in the game.

Sure thing. A 3-4 scheme employs 3 down lineman (guys with their hands on the ground) and usually 4 linebackers "in the box- a rectangle that stretches as wide as the players on offense at the line of scrimmage (usually the five lineman and maybe a Tight End) and five yards into the teeth of the defense.

A 4-2 alignment would be 4 down lineman and two linebackers.

That one change makes it more difficult to "seal the edge"-which is both ends of where the lineman and tight ends line up. Another element of that scheme is when Lupoi employs that alignment, he drags the backside Defensive End (the one on the opposite side of where a running play is going) to the "middle of the box"-or the center of the Line of Scrimmage. Typically coaches replace that DE with a Linebacker to maintain the edge-but Lupoi/Lanning don't do that because they are trying to defend strong passing attacks ( so they replace a linebacker with a safety).

Every smart offensive coordinator I've seen has attacked that scheme and how it is used. Chip Kelly basically dialed up three explosive running plays because he also pulls two lineman to the "backside" of the play-which opened up massive space downfield. Franklin did that once Lupoi changed to the 4-2 himself. Which is why I believe he is an elite coach because he recognized the change and immediately attacked it. To the degree Penn State slowed down their efforts on that final drive in regulation to keep Moore and Stein from breaking their hearts in regulation.

On 9/29/2025 at 8:48 AM, GatOrlando said:

Oregon is a tier above Penn State. The game shouldn't have gone to overtime really. Missed field goal and some crazy things from Allar at the end kept this from being a double digit win.

Penn State hasn't beaten a top ten team in nine years! They've come close, but until they actually win one of these games I can't call Franklin anywhere close to elite. Franklin himself said after a close loss to Ohio State in 2017 that Penn State was good, but to be great they needed to reach another gear. That was eight years ago and they've lost one score games every year to Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, and now Oregon. Even in that magical 2016 season where they beat Ohio State and won the B1G, they lost a close game to Clay Helton and the Trojans in the Rose Bowl.

James Franklin beats everyone he's supposed to. He's 2-15 against teams where he needs to out coach somebody with an equal or maybe greater talent level. That's not elite.

GatOrlando,

This is why I love your posts. You can't outsmart facts. I have to say my thoughts on Franklin are always an opinion because of the facts you posted above. What makes me believe Franklin is elite is the fact he hasn't come close to fielding an elite team like Ohio State and Michigan have regularly, but he always forces both teams to bring their absolute best or they lose. Over the last 5 years, if both those powers had made a mistake, Penn State was good enough and performed well enough to notch one of those top 5 / top 10 victories. Franklin has been better at this than when he was at Vandy. Nobody cares to evaluate Penn State on the talent merits. They never get NFL caliber WRs. You can't beat elite teams when you have pedestrian WRs. Penn State is usually third or forth in the Conference at the Line of Scrimmage. They are physical, but they don't take charge like the elite teams because they can't.

Penn State does need to reach another gear. He started that when he employed the Max Protect scheme to get back into the game. He probably needs to assign OC Koltenicki to look at some of the schemes the Rams use and especially what Lin Kiffin employs at Ole Miss (the two squads are similar in that Ole Miss is a lot more physical at the LOS on offense than people think). I've said it before and I'll say it again...If I am HC, the first thing I'd assign my coordinators to do is scour every football scheme known to mankind.

Then I'd have a 20 minute session of use everything in the world's playbook-we're playing street ball. The purpose of that is to get them out of their strategy mindset for an opponent. Sometimes you need to look at what they are doing and attack that specifically. Not after a 2 quarters, but right when you see it. They can't adjust as fast because now, they aren't drilling to adjust in that fashion. Coaches like to go with what they know-and are willing to lose with that scheme because at least they did it their way. I agree. Except my way is to make you think of a hundred plays to defend in one series-not the 15-20 you'll see the entire game. Chip Kelly once said "I have 187 plays in my playbook". I say I better see at least half of them every game.

So GatOrlando, do you think Franklin will "hear what we're saying"? I think he's capable-even with the talent deficiency, because parity has arrived at the college lever. Any given Saturday will be a moniker soon. What do you think?

42 minutes ago, OregonDucks said:

I personally believe that Penn State fans think too highly of their program and have unrealistic expectations (perhaps based on past success). They do not recruit the talent that Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon do so they have to out scheme and out execute those teams. Franklin wins all of the games he is supposed to win, which is why they are always in the conversation for the playoffs.

I think to win, Penn State needs to play like Stanford did under Harbaugh. I’m not sure that they can get the athletes required at the skill positions and the weather is pretty lousy later in the season to play a pass first style of offense. When they hit on a highly skilled QB they can compete for a national championship.

This post right here...Priceless.

When Harbaugh had Andrew Luck, they were formidable. That is what Allar is closest to. But he is pressing too much. Partly because he really doesn't have threatening WRs. And his OL is not top shelf-it is A- in a world of A and A+ defensive fronts. James Franklin may have to win to start getting the type of talent Ohio State and Michigan (and OBD of course) harvest every year. He is as close as he can get now. They need two WRs to step up. They are no threat downfield. I've watched Allar in all of his Spring Games. Its the same every time: he holds the ball waiting for his WRs to get open. It looks weird because you can tell he's uncomfortable about it.

Heck, last year, his WR flopped a beautiful pass in the end zone against Ohio State that should have been a TD. It was intercepted instead. That is Drew Allar's life. Guys he isn't sure he can rely on, and he wings it because he feels he has to. He'd never say that-and maybe I'm wrong. That's what I see though. Allar is at least one guy short of producing elite results at WR this season. Franklin wouldn't have to change the strategy is he had that. For now, he should change some things up. They need to get the WRs the ball more often-even if that means easy curls and down and outs all the way down the field.

3 hours ago, Mike West said:

GatOrlando,

This is why I love your posts. You can't outsmart facts. I have to say my thoughts on Franklin are always an opinion because of the facts you posted above. What makes me believe Franklin is elite is the fact he hasn't come close to fielding an elite team like Ohio State and Michigan have regularly, but he always forces both teams to bring their absolute best or they lose. Over the last 5 years, if both those powers had made a mistake, Penn State was good enough and performed well enough to notch one of those top 5 / top 10 victories. Franklin has been better at this than when he was at Vandy. Nobody cares to evaluate Penn State on the talent merits. They never get NFL caliber WRs. You can't beat elite teams when you have pedestrian WRs. Penn State is usually third or forth in the Conference at the Line of Scrimmage. They are physical, but they don't take charge like the elite teams because they can't.

Penn State does need to reach another gear. He started that when he employed the Max Protect scheme to get back into the game. He probably needs to assign OC Koltenicki to look at some of the schemes the Rams use and especially what Lin Kiffin employs at Ole Miss (the two squads are similar in that Ole Miss is a lot more physical at the LOS on offense than people think). I've said it before and I'll say it again...If I am HC, the first thing I'd assign my coordinators to do is scour every football scheme known to mankind.

Then I'd have a 20 minute session of use everything in the world's playbook-we're playing street ball. The purpose of that is to get them out of their strategy mindset for an opponent. Sometimes you need to look at what they are doing and attack that specifically. Not after a 2 quarters, but right when you see it. They can't adjust as fast because now, they aren't drilling to adjust in that fashion. Coaches like to go with what they know-and are willing to lose with that scheme because at least they did it their way. I agree. Except my way is to make you think of a hundred plays to defend in one series-not the 15-20 you'll see the entire game. Chip Kelly once said "I have 187 plays in my playbook". I say I better see at least half of them every game.

So GatOrlando, do you think Franklin will "hear what we're saying"? I think he's capable-even with the talent deficiency, because parity has arrived at the college lever. Any given Saturday will be a moniker soon. What do you think?

Although I don't agree with him being elite, I do think he's very good. Very good coaches carry an ego, heck below average coaches carry an ego(see Billy Napier). They win with a style and hire coordinators that will fit that style. Nick Saban is the greatest because of his ability to adapt and allow coordinators post McCarrron and Blake to transform the Tide in an NFL QB factory. They went from having one really elite pass catcher to about three every cycle. Receivers like Cooper, Ruggs, Smith, Waddle, etc.. came because the Tide had NFL QBs like Hurts, Tua, Young, Jones etc..

Franklin likes to run the play action two receiver sets. He likes to employ athletic tight ends that have size and speed, but can also block for his more run oriented offense. Who was the last NFL WR from his tree? KJ Hamler? His last NFL QB? The most prominent guys he's put into the NFL are guys like Parsons Geisecki and Barkley.

Beau Pribula is actually more in line to the QB Franklin would prefer to use imo. But he transferred out to Missouri and the offense is trying to use Allar in some RPO actions, and yes Allar isn't a statue, but he's no Josh Allen either. He's a 6"4 230 lb pro style QB with a rocket arm, but he's primarily a one read guy.

I don't think a top receiver would choose Penn State over Oregon, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Washington, USC, Miami , unless the NIL was absolutely huge. They know the history, and they know if they want to get developed that Penn State doesn't prioritize them as currently ran.

Franklin is a great recruiter, and they have the financial backing to enhance that. But his history tells me he will continue to run power formation with NFL RBs, TEs, and a great run blocking line.

So to answer your question in a rambling fashion like I tend to do, I'd say it's possible. I just wouldn't bet on it. I think James is comfortable and he really believes he can win it all with his system.

You made great points and if was an arbitor I'd say your point is better than mine because Penn State has everything to get NFL type receivers. A huge brand, history, and they are always just a player or two away from breaking through. I just think Franklin doesn't prioritize it. As a five star WR , I would need to see a change before going there. Three questions would pop into my head.

1.) How fast can I see the field?

2.) How will I be used?

3.) Will this get me into the NFL and who's throwing to me along with making me better?

5 hours ago, OregonDucks said:

I personally believe that Penn State fans think too highly of their program and have unrealistic expectations (perhaps based on past success). They do not recruit the talent that Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon do so they have to out scheme and out execute those teams. Franklin wins all of the games he is supposed to win, which is why they are always in the conversation for the playoffs.

I think to win, Penn State needs to play like Stanford did under Harbaugh. I’m not sure that they can get the athletes required at the skill positions and the weather is pretty lousy later in the season to play a pass first style of offense. When they hit on a highly skilled QB they can compete for a national championship.

You are absolutely on point, I think Michigan proved you could win with a 57 percent blue chip ratio and a style that can offset the skill advantage of an Alabama or Ohio State if you can impose your style. To me that's really tough sledding though. It takes a complete buy in and keeping a core together for three years.

Penn State was seen as a favorite entering the year because most thought they were copying that formula. But remember Michigan had already proven they could win big games entering the 2023 season. Penn State hadn't done that, and I'm sorry but beating SMU and Boise doesn't qualify imo.. To me that's the thing that kept me from buying them as Michigan 2023 or Ohio State 2024.

What's James Franklin's five biggest wins at PSU and what year was it?

1.) Ohio State 2016

2.) Wisconsin 2016

3.) SMU 2024

4.) Boise State 2024

5.) Michigan 2019

6 minutes ago, GatOrlando said:

Penn State was seen as a favorite entering the year because most thought they were copying that formula. But remember Michigan had already proven they could win big games entering the 2023 season.

The problem, IMHO, is that Penn State is not running a pro-style, physical, smash-mouth offense with some play-action passes. They are playing some RPO that does not take advantage of their QB’s strengths/limitations.

A former Penn State offensive lineman posted a great video breaking down the 4th quarter PSU plays. Drew Allar made some good plays but he also missed some reads and, of course, made a horrible throw in OT. I don’t think he is the right fit for the system they are currently running and that is 100% on their coaching staff.

Joel Klatt agrees that Penn State is running the wrong offensive system for Drew Allar (4:24).

Thanks, OregonDucks. That Joel Klatt interview on the Herd was well worth the listen.

It seemed like a couple of the most important completions by Allar were made on his way to the turf... Was it luck, or incredible poise in the grasp of an Oregon defender, as the D reacted to the QB's peril, rather than minding their assignment?