Can we beat Penn State??

[Kbee3]

Hmmm. I think that's a question that Rutgers and their fans should be asking.

Actually it's a rhetorical question. If Pennsylvania high school football was half as good as they claim it is they wouldn't need to cross the Delaware to New Jersey to get the quality players they need to compete at the level they're accustomed to competing at.
It's O.K. We're used to it.....been going on for as long as I can remember. Only now it's as much Michigan and Ohio State as Pedd St. But just admit where your program would be without the New Jersey talent

 

[cRURah]

We can beat PSU and we will beat PSU!

 

[RUTrack94]

I love RU, but some teams just had our number: WVU, Miami, VT. PSU does as well.

 

[cchavis]

Actually it's a rhetorical question. If Pennsylvania high school football was half as good as they claim it is they wouldn't need to cross the Delaware to New Jersey to get the quality players they need to compete at the level they're accustomed to competing at.
It's O.K. We're used to it.....been going on for as long as I can remember. Only now it's as much Michigan and Ohio State as Pedd St. But just admit where your program would be without the New Jersey talent

No one has ever denied that Jersey Talent has a huge role on the Penn State Roster. It has for 40 years... what point are you trying to make? Yes Pa has fantastic football talent that contributes to PSU, but PSU has ALWAYS gone to surrounding areas to recruit. Just ask Maryland how many kids out of the DMV PSU pulls. At the same time they also have great players from Pa such as Saquon Barkley. I really don't understand the argument ur trying to make

 

[rutgersal]

I love RU, but some teams just had our number: WVU, Miami, VT. PSU does as well.

We weren't really competing when we played Miami and vt, except when we played by in the bowl game. Our 2006-2009 and 2011-2012 teams were capable of beating Miami. I'll never understand the WV hex. GS was out coached most of the time, when we had our best chance. There's enough talent to beat PSU but the question is will we be able to execute.

 

[shields]

WVU usually had the better QB, Pat White and Geno for example.

 

[rutgersal]

WVU usually had the better QB, Pat White and Geno for example.

But we still should have beaten them in 2006, but the refs nullified a Steve staton fumble. That was our best opportunity.

 

[cchavis]

We weren't really competing when we played Miami and vt, except when we played by in the bowl game. Our 2006-2009 and 2011-2012 teams were capable of beating Miami. I'll never understand the WV hex. GS was out coached most of the time, when we had our best chance. There's enough talent to beat PSU but the question is will we be able to execute.

How fo you figure? I'm not here to argue or anything like that, I've just seen Rutgers week after week give up huge rushing games to their opponents due to lack of talent and RU hasn't faced a RB like Barkley who I believe to be the most talented back in the Big 10.

Honest question Al, how does a team that lost 58-0 to a squad who psu just beat, possibly win this game barring injury to Barkley, McSorely and some other key guys. Psu was able to pressure JT Barrett all night and no disrespect OSU' oline>RU'a oline. JT>Gio.

I'm honestly wondering how you believe RU can win this game and further how they would do it to slowdown Barkley and somehow break through PSU's defense who has quietly had a very good year, especially now that key guys are back from injury. Interested to hear your thoughts

 

[PSU_Nut]

Actually it's a rhetorical question. If Pennsylvania high school football was half as good as they claim it is they wouldn't need to cross the Delaware to New Jersey to get the quality players they need to compete at the level they're accustomed to competing at.
It's O.K. We're used to it.....been going on for as long as I can remember. Only now it's as much Michigan and Ohio State as Pedd St. But just admit where your program would be without the New Jersey talent

There is a ton of football talent in Ohio yet Ohio State offers out of state talent. There a ton of football talent in Florida but Florida schools recruit out of state. Every program will go get the best talent they can regardless of boarders.

 

[RURM85]

How fo you figure? I'm not here to argue or anything like that, I've just seen Rutgers week after week give up huge rushing games to their opponents due to lack of talent and RU hasn't faced a RB like Barkley who I believe to be the most talented back in the Big 10.

Honest question Al, how does a team that lost 58-0 to a squad who psu just beat, possibly win this game barring injury to Barkley, McSorely and some other key guys. Psu was able to pressure JT Barrett all night and no disrespect OSU' oline>RU'a oline. JT>Gio.

I'm honestly wondering how you believe RU can win this game and further how they would do it to slowdown Barkley and somehow break through PSU's defense who has quietly had a very good year, especially now that key guys are back from injury. Interested to hear your thoughts

Edit: Not answering for Al, however, providing my thoughts. While Penn State will be favored, you can't cherry pick how both teams match up against a common opponent weeks prior to determine the outcome. I could say you beat Minnesota in OT at home and Rutgers lost to Minnesota on the road in the last seconds by 2 points. Thus, Rutgers at home against Penn State should be extremely close with the game coming down to the wire based on the results of Minny as a common opponent. You could then make an argument about all that went wrong with Penn State against Minny (i.e. injuries, players not performing well) and I could make that same argument about why Rutgers did not beat Minnesota (i.e. also 2nd and 3rd string LBers playing due to injuries).

 

[cchavis]

Edit: Not answering for Al, however, providing my thoughts. While Penn State will be favored, you can't cherry pick how both teams match up against a common opponent weeks prior to determine the outcome. I could say you beat Minnesota in OT at home and Rutgers lost to Minnesota on the road in the last seconds by 2 points. Thus, Rutgers at home against Penn State should be extremely close with the game coming down to the wire based on the results of Minny as a common opponent. You could then make an argument about all that went wrong with Penn State against Minny (i.e. injuries, players not performing well) and I could make that same argument about why Rutgers did not beat Minnesota (i.e. also 2nd and 3rd string LBers playing due to injuries).

But the key thing is PSU found a way to win against Minnesota. Minnesota also was undefeated coming into that game.

I'm going to be at the RU/PSU game and I'd prefer it to be a close and exciting game like it was in 2014. Against a read option though, I just don't see it happening.

Also I want to go on record saying I really hope ash can turn things around for you guys. As much flack as we got wearing our blue and white in 2014 to Piscataway, that was a very fun environment, ya'll have Maryland beat in game day atmosphere hands down. Sure we ran into one idiot who got in my face yelling about pedophilia, but one bad apple doesn't represent the whole crop, for the vast majority, we had a great time.

I'm looking forward to making the trip back up in a few weeks, just need to plan my parking a bit better so I don't get stuck waiting in that line next to the bubble again. Any suggestions on where to park to avoid that mess?

Thanks very much

 

[Knight Shift]

But the key thing is PSU found a way to win against Minnesota. Minnesota also was undefeated coming into that game.

I'm going to be at the RU/PSU game and I'd prefer it to be a close and exciting game like it was in 2014. Against a read option though, I just don't see it happening.

Also I want to go on record saying I really hope ash can turn things around for you guys. As much flack as we got wearing our blue and white in 2014 to Piscataway, that was a very fun environment, ya'll have Maryland beat in game day atmosphere hands down. Sure we ran into one idiot who got in my face yelling about pedophilia, but one bad apple doesn't represent the whole crop, for the vast majority, we had a great time.

I'm looking forward to making the trip back up in a few weeks, just need to plan my parking a bit better so I don't get stuck waiting in that line next to the bubble again. Any suggestions on where to park to avoid that mess?

Thanks very much

Plenty of parking in the Raritan River

Easiest in and out is Yellow Lot if you can get a Yellow Lot pass from Stub Hub or elsewhere. Otherwise, park on the street in New Brunswick and walk over the Landing Lane bridge, or park in Johnson Park.

 

[RU1977]

 

[RURM85]

Plenty of parking in the Raritan River

Easiest in and out is Yellow Lot if you can get a Yellow Lot pass from Stub Hub or elsewhere. Otherwise, park on the street in New Brunswick and walk over the Landing Lane bridge, or park in Johnson Park.

Agree and adding if you buy a color lot pass on stub hub that's a good solution. Also, Johnson Park and you could always park at the RAC and take a bus to and from the stadium.

Check out the sticky above "Game Day and Travel Advice for Visiting Fans"

Also, the attached map will give you information:
http://www.scarletknights.com/facilities/parking.html

 

[PSU_Nut]

Edit: Not answering for Al, however, providing my thoughts. While Penn State will be favored, you can't cherry pick how both teams match up against a common opponent weeks prior to determine the outcome. I could say you beat Minnesota in OT at home and Rutgers lost to Minnesota on the road in the last seconds by 2 points. Thus, Rutgers at home against Penn State should be extremely close with the game coming down to the wire based on the results of Minny as a common opponent. You could then make an argument about all that went wrong with Penn State against Minny (i.e. injuries, players not performing well) and I could make that same argument about why Rutgers did not beat Minnesota (i.e. also 2nd and 3rd string LBers playing due to injuries).

If you want to look at common opponents you might as well look at all three of them. Rutgers is 0-3 against all three with a combined score of 31-170 while Penn State is 2-1 with a combined score of 63-96.

 

[RURM85]

If you want to look at common opponents you might as well look at all three of them. Rutgers is 0-3 against all three with a combined score of 31-170 while Penn State is 2-1 with a combined score of 63-96.

Did you read what I wrote. Looking at common opponents and using point differentials = fail

 

[Knight Shift]

If you want to look at common opponents you might as well look at all three of them. Rutgers is 0-3 against all three with a combined score of 31-170 while Penn State is 2-1 with a combined score of 63-96.

Except that Laviano started in 2 irf those games. Gio starting does not change the result, but perhaps we score points. Think of it like the difference in your Taxslayer bowl game with Hackenberg the statue being mostly ineffective, and McSorley coming in and provding a spark and throwing two TDs.
Transitive theories in wins/losses are useless anyway, so don't know what point you are trying to make--RU should just lay down and lose because of their record against common opponents?

 

[Knight Shift]

Did you read what I wrote. Looking at common opponents and using point differentials = fail

What do you expect from a Nit? Wits?

 

[RU31trap]

I like our chances against Maryland. I think Indiana, Michigan State and PSU will be very tough to beat. A win against Indiana should be considered signature win this year. Beating MD should be expected. Unfortunately, I have a bad feeling about the PSU game. I think they have an all around better team than us and will run up the score. I feel the same about Michigan State, even in a down year they may be too much to handle. Our focus should be on beating Maryland.

 

[Knight Shift]

I like our chances against Maryland. I think Indiana, Michigan State and PSU will be very tough to beat. A win against Indiana should be considered signature win this year. Beating MD should be expected. Unfortunately, I have a bad feeling about the PSU game. I think they have an all around better team than us and will run up the score. I feel the same about Michigan State, even in a down year they may be too much to handle. Our focus should be on beating Maryland.

But if beating Maryland "should be expected," and Maryland waxed MSU, we should wax MSU according to PSUNut.
With all of that said, nothing is expected in our remaining games. I think they will all be competitive, in the following order from most to least: Indiana, Maryland, MSU, Penn State.

 

[Kbee3]

There is a ton of football talent in Ohio yet Ohio State offers out of state talent. There a ton of football talent in Florida but Florida schools recruit out of state. Every program will go get the best talent they can regardless of boarders.

It's the QUANTITY of quality players going from New Jersey to Pedd St. that's interesting to me. Sure, schools will go elsewhere for certain special players. But the particularly large and steady flow of top-notch talent doesn't just indicate to me that there's something lacking in what the state university of New Jersey is offering. It's also indicative of a constant need to go elsewhere to fill a bunch of needs that can't be filled locally. Yes, I'm saying that Pa. high school football is not what some would have you believe it is. And that NJ 's talent is superior.
You better keep praying that Ash doesn't succeed in making the Rutgers program more attractive to NJ high schoolers. And Harbaugh better join you.

 

[Kbee3]

How fo you figure? I'm not here to argue or anything like that, I've just seen Rutgers week after week give up huge rushing games to their opponents due to lack of talent and RU hasn't faced a RB like Barkley who I believe to be the most talented back in the Big 10.

Honest question Al, how does a team that lost 58-0 to a squad who psu just beat, possibly win this game barring injury to Barkley, McSorely and some other key guys. Psu was able to pressure JT Barrett all night and no disrespect OSU' oline>RU'a oline. JT>Gio.

I'm honestly wondering how you believe RU can win this game and further how they would do it to slowdown Barkley and somehow break through PSU's defense who has quietly had a very good year, especially now that key guys are back from injury. Interested to hear your thoughts

I don't disagree with anything you've said in this post. Nor do I see how anyone could.
You must have grasped by now that Rutgersal is a very "special" Rutgers fan.

 

[harjeff]

That was one strange win when you look at the stats. Special teams was great.

Need to include some more stats to be fair:

OSU and PSU both muffed a punt....OSU recovered both
OSU and PSU Had FG Blocked....PSU Ret for TD...OSU no return
PSU snapped ball over punters head for a safety

....so PSU had a bunch of special team blunders as well and still won the game mainly due to GREAT DL and LB play on defense.

 

[Kbee3]

Need to include some more stats to be fair:

OSU and PSU both muffed a punt....OSU recovered both
OSU and PSU Had FG Blocked....PSU Ret for TD...OSU no return
PSU snapped ball over punters head for a safety

....so PSU had a bunch of special team blunders as well and still won the game mainly due to GREAT DL and LB play on defense.

Please stop with all of this nonsense. Some of us watched the game. It was near the end of the game,Ohio State was winning, set up for a field goal, had it blocked and returned for a touchdown.
Pedd St. with this one play turned defeat into victory. Congratulations. Nice win.
Now could we stop with all of the nonsense. You're not as good as Ohio State. And Pedd St. is still the second best college team in Pa. Just be thankful that you beat Temple. And that you've only played two home games thus far this season.

 

[Howie'81]

Actually it's a rhetorical question. If Pennsylvania high school football was half as good as they claim it is they wouldn't need to cross the Delaware to New Jersey to get the quality players they need to compete at the level they're accustomed to competing at.
It's O.K. We're used to it.....been going on for as long as I can remember. Only now it's as much Michigan and Ohio State as Pedd St. But just admit where your program would be without the New Jersey talent

Truth be told, it was always more than just PSU coming to NJ for players. Some of the best players in Nebraska history were NJ boys. Iowa came here for players too. NJ has supplied many schools with players. If you could keep just 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 of your top players at home, you'd have a pretty talented team.

 

[goethe14]

Rutgers will not be favored against Maryland and in no way should be considered a win.

 

[ru8081]

If RU can make positive progression from this time on and keep healthy. There is a chance they could upset PSU.

 

[Psu2014]

Please stop with all of this nonsense. Some of us watched the game. It was near the end of the game,Ohio State was winning, set up for a field goal, had it blocked and returned for a touchdown.
Pedd St. with this one play turned defeat into victory. Congratulations. Nice win.
Now could we stop with all of the nonsense. You're not as good as Ohio State. And Pedd St. is still the second best college team in Pa. Just be thankful that you beat Temple. And that you've only played two home games thus far this season.

Well you got one thing right. We're not as good as OSU this year. We're better than them.

 

[Kbee3]

Well you got one thing right. We're not as good as OSU this year. We're better than them.

You can't really believe that.

 

[Howie'81]

Well you got one thing right. We're not as good as OSU this year. We're better than them.

Forever 1 - 0 against the Buckeyes in 2016.

 

[Cheesesteak Vegas]

Penn State isn't as good as Ohio State. That didn't matter Saturday night. Two things in this regard matter: (1) PSU won the game, and (2) PSU is only going to get closer to OSU's talent level and roster makeup. Should be the two best teams in the B1G next season given the mass exodus that's about to occur in Ann Arbor.

 

[Psu2014]

You can't really believe that.

*doublechecks scoreboard*

Yep, still believe it.

 

[Kbee3]

Forever 1 - 0 against the Buckeyes in 2016.

Yep....definitely 1-0 vs. OSU in 2016.
However, you DO know that sometimes an inferior team wins a game over a clearly superior squad....oh I don't know....sometimes as a result of a game-changing blocked field goal returned for a TD in the fourth quarter.
These Pedd St. visitors are quite the hoot.

 

[Cheesesteak Vegas]

Yep....definitely 1-0 vs. OSU in 2016.
However, you DO know that sometimes an inferior team wins a game over a clearly superior squad....oh I don't know....sometimes as a result of a game-changing blocked field goal returned for a TD in the fourth quarter.
These Pedd St. visitors are quite the hoot.

You do know that wasn't the only play of the game, right?

You continuing to harp on the fact that PSU won the game solely because of a fluke play is equally as moronic as thinking the result means PSU is a better team than OSU.

 

[Psu2014]

Yep....definitely 1-0 vs. OSU in 2016.
However, you DO know that sometimes an inferior team wins a game over a clearly superior squad....oh I don't know....sometimes as a result of a game-changing blocked field goal returned for a TD in the fourth quarter.
These Pedd St. visitors are quite the hoot.

Unfortunately for your narrative, we decide which team is superior on a football field and in the final standings. Both of which, PSU is likely to perform better in this season.

And enough with your "fluke play" theory. We blocked a kick and punt because our special teams are superior to Ohio State's. They had a series of crazy plays go their way too (a muffed punt and safety directly lead to five points. A blocked FG took three points off our score as well.). In the end, our defense neutralized their offense outside of one big run. Our offense was able to move the ball when it matters. And the team played well enough as a whole that they were able to use a kick return to win.

We beat the Buckeyes fair and square. Sorry that's inconvenient for you.

 

[RU31trap]

Unfortunately for your narrative, we decide which team is superior on a football field and in the final standings. Both of which, PSU is likely to perform better in this season.

And enough with your "fluke play" theory. We blocked a kick and punt because our special teams are superior to Ohio State's. They had a series of crazy plays go their way too (a muffed punt and safety directly lead to five points. A blocked FG took three points off our score as well.). In the end, our defense neutralized their offense outside of one big run. Our offense was able to move the ball when it matters. And the team played well enough as a whole that they were able to use a kick return to win.

We beat the Buckeyes fair and square. Sorry that's inconvenient for you.

I watched the entire game and yes you did beat Ohio State, who in my honest opinion was very lucky against Wisconsin. The fact that we can't keep our best athletes is not on the fanbase, it's on an institution (and state) that frankly does not care about winning at the highest possible level. That is not the case at PSU, OSU, MICH. and definitely not the case at Alabama. We had a golden opportunity when Kyle Flood was fired to open up the wallet and prove to the country that we were serious about winning a B10 title before many on this site are deceased (which includes me). Unless a very high profile coach comes here we are not going to have knockout punch recruiting classes. I really wanted Bobby Petrino, Rich Rodriguez, Lane Kiffin or Mark Mangino. But got shouted down and told that those coaches were not Rutgers Material.

 

[Rutgers85]

*doublechecks scoreboard*

Yep, still believe it.

So I guess you will admit that Pitt is better than psu.

 

[stacyusaf]

So I guess you will admit that Pitt is better than psu.

At that point in the season they where the better team, even though we dropped a easy TD pass at the end of the game that would have won it. Pitt has a very experienced team was a great game after a very slow start, were going to smoke them next year like we're going to smoke you guys this year and every time we play you for the foreseeable future though.....

 

[PSU_Nut]

Yep....definitely 1-0 vs. OSU in 2016.
However, you DO know that sometimes an inferior team wins a game over a clearly superior squad....oh I don't know....sometimes as a result of a game-changing blocked field goal returned for a TD in the fourth quarter.
These Pedd St. visitors are quite the hoot.

Using your logic Ohio State was lucky to be in the game considering a muffed punt gave the 3 points, Penn State had a blocked field goal and a bad snap gave them 2 points.

 

[Psu2014]

So I guess you will admit that Pitt is better than psu.

Of course. At week two of this season - missing our middle linebacker, and losing a DT and middle linebacker during the game - Pitt was able to squeak out a win. I credit them for that, because I'm not insecure as a fan.

Now, with Cabinda/Bell/Givens back, I think we just proved we're a drastically different defense.