Penn State Wins NIT Championship

[ham55]

So let me get this straight. A team that went into the horseshoe last year and beat Ohio State is not better than the team they beat? I don't think I understand that concept.

Does wildcat play for Ohio State? He keeps saying WE like he does.

[Former Wildcat]

Last year Penn State was better than OSU. That was one year. PSU lost their receivers and their O-line. They lost their secondary and their rush ends. OSU did not lose as much and has better talent filling in. That OSU defense that held Texas to under 30 points was almost all underclassmen. OSU had a true freshman at QB and still won 10 games and a Big 10 title. Clark might be a little better next year for PSU but Pryor will be greatly improved. Of course, this is a prediction so it might not happen, but I really like OSU for next year and in 2010, I think the will get back to the BCS championship.

[The Ancient Enemy]

Everything you said in that post can be contested.

I always find it hilarious when a fan has the impression that his underclassmen will be greatly improved but the other teams underclassmen will all stay the same.

For your little worry about the PSU O-line... they did not lose 5 starters. They lost 3 starters. One of the kids filling an open spot has been ready to play for 2 years now and was benched because they played the upperclassmen. Besides... PSU has the best D-line in the Big Ten going into 2009. They have been destroying the O-line at practice so far. You think those kids won't be battle-tested? They are literally playing, every day, against the best defensive front in the Big Ten.

[Former Wildcat]

I did not say that PSUs underclassmen will not be improved. However, OSU played more underclassmen last year at key positions who will be returning. Clark will be improved as a QB, but Pryor has greater room for improvement because he was a true freshman last year. PSU might have good young O-linemen coming back, but they will not be as good as last year amazing group. OSU has young o-linemen replacing underachievers. PSU and OSU both must replace receivers, but OSU was not as dependent on Robiskie and Hartline as PSU was on their seniors. By the way, the reason Hartline left was because of the talent behind him.

The biggest concern I have for OSU is replacing Jenkins on defense. Chukwa is very good, but they do not have someone good to play opposite him. For PSU, the biggest concern is probably Maybin. When PSU won the Big 10 in 05 and 08, they had an elite rush end - Hali and Maybin. Those guys both made monster plays in the critical wins over OSU. I don't see PSU finding an underclassman who can provide the kind of play that Maybin did last year.

I think both teams will be good. I am biased as an OSU fan, but I really like their upside for next year. If they are good next year, watch out in 2010.

[The Ancient Enemy]

That all made perfect sense.

One question, though...

OSU was not as dependent on Robiskie and Hartline as PSU was on their seniors

Is that b/c they ran more or b/c Pryor can't complete a pass?

[Former Wildcat]

You talk about making sense and then say something as nonsensical as Pryor cannot complete a pass. He led the league in pass efficiency. I guess by your logic Maybin couldn't rush the QB and Deon Butler couldn't catch a pass. Of course, Pryor did not play well against their toughest opponents, PSU and Texas, but he was a true freshman. I don't remember Clark lighting it up against OSU last year, but he is still a good QB.

[The Ancient Enemy]

So basically you questioned my logic and then agreed with it.
Jury is out on Pryor, obviously. I'm not sold on Tressel ever taking advantage of his talents. Think Lou Holtz' option attack with a drop-back passer like Ron Powlus. Just was never a good fit. I do not think Tressel is the kind of coach who bends his philosophies to take advantage of special talents like Pryor. Tressel is more inclined to force Pryor to play HIS way. I really think that by the time Pryor leaves Ohio State, we'll still be waiting for his gigantic season, through no fault of his own. For the record, I think the same could be said if he went to Penn State.

As for the assessment that Hartline left out of fear, I'm gonna have to disagree with that, too. Who's nipping at his heels? Ray Small, the same kid they tried to push out of the program?

The bottom line for 2009, as far as I can tell, is that OSU and PSU should win the conference again. But neither of those teams should be as good as they were in 2008, and as much as I hate to say this, the Big Ten is going to be even worse this season than last.

[deliverance]

But neither of those teams should be as good as they were in 2008, and as much as I hate to say this, the Big Ten is going to be even worse this season than last.

Now that's just scary.

[Former Wildcat]

I actually think Tressel has done a good job of bending to fit his talent. They ran a completely different offense with Krenzel than with Troy Smith. Boeckman basically ran the same offense that Smith did in 2007, but they threw less because of Beanie Wells. The offense this past year was very different, with the team running some read option. They had never really done that before under Tressel. I do agree that Pryor is a bit of a wild card. If he steps up and has a big year, then OSU could be better than last year. If he plays like he did against Texas and PSU, then PSU will win the Big 10.

As for Hartline, he left because of players like DeVier Posey and Lamar Thomas - not Ray Small.