State of the Union.

[Crimson's Ghost]

The Dictator is gone, Billy is in.

What are the general feelings towards Penn State Football? I am curious and this is a serious question. This is for my PSU buddies on here.


1. How will the 2012 Lions do overall? Projected record, Big Ten finish, Bowl game expected.
2. How does the program fare under O'Brien down the line?
3. What are the strengths and weaknesses going into 2012?
4. Whats the feeling with going against Urban Meyer and Brady Hoke down the road? Recruiting wars, and on the field.
5. Is Bill O'Brien the guy? So hard to say, But is he Penn State's coach in 5 years?
6. How good can the recruiting class get?


You guys can ask me the same question, but I'm the only guy that would answer.

[KirkHerbstreit]

1. Anywhere from 6-6 to 9-3. QB Play and the secondary are a concern. The first 4 games will be key. If they win @Virginia, it could be a good year.

2. You can never really tell, but I would say O'Brien has done everything right thus far. He made changes to the program that have been needed for years. Opened up practices to coaches. He has great enthusiasm and seems to grab attention when he speaks. Most PSU fans who were upset that he was originally picked now love the guy. If he doesn't do well, it will be because his system is too sophisticated to work for kids and he is too stubborn to change it.

3 Strengths. RB, LB, Starting Dline. Weaknesses QB, WR, Secondary, Depth at every position

4. I feel better than I have felt as a Penn State fan in a long long time. Penn State absolutely can hang with Ohio State and Michigan. If one remembers, when PSU joined the Big 10 people wondered if Michigan and OSU could hang with Penn State. A lot can change with perception. Penn State has everything to offer that those schools do.

5. How can you tell if he is the guy? He could be outstanding and leave for the Pro's in 2 years? He could be in over his head. He could be great and stay 15 years. No one knows. Like I said, I like what i see so far in recruiting, appearances, interviews, etc.

6. I would say not much better unless they get Foster and Johnson which is doubtful. However, if O'briens offense with Mcgloin or Jones this year is explosive and they win 10 or 11, then I the potential is unlimited.

[jack daniel]

The Dictator is gone, Billy is in.

What are the general feelings towards Penn State Football? I am curious and this is a serious question. This is for my PSU buddies on here.


1. How will the 2012 Lions do overall? Projected record, Big Ten finish, Bowl game expected.
2. How does the program fare under O'Brien down the line?
3. What are the strengths and weaknesses going into 2012?
4. Whats the feeling with going against Urban Meyer and Brady Hoke down the road? Recruiting wars, and on the field.
5. Is Bill O'Brien the guy? So hard to say, But is he Penn State's coach in 5 years?
6. How good can the recruiting class get?


You guys can ask me the same question, but I'm the only guy that would answer.

1. Is relying on the QB situation, if Paul Jones steps up and harnesses his potential and becomes the starter this team could be 9-3 or 10-2 and compete for the a Big Ten Title Game birth and possible trip to Pasadena or at least a New Years Day Bowl.
2. I think BOB is a sleeping giant, and within 2-3 years can become one of the country's top coaches both in recruiting and on the field performance. He runs the type of offense players want to play in, and is the young, fiery, passionate type of coach players want to play for.
3. Strengths LBs, RBs, WRs, and OL. Weaknesses secondary, DL, and possibly QB.
4. I think BOB will slowly but surely make up ground on Meyer and Hoke, mainly Hoke Meyer is in an elite group of college coaches at the moment, on and off the field. This team has the talent to win now, which will help BOB a lot with establishing himself early, and pay dividends in recruiting for both the class of 2013 and 2014. Also getting in a big recruiting class in his first year is important as well.
5. Like you said hard to say, but I'm going to say yes to both of these.
6. I think this class can, and will, finish top 10.

[KirkHerbstreit]

To be completely honest the more I hear this guy the more I like him. Even if he fails, I can't see not liking him because to me he speaks from the heart, He doesn't use catch phrases or say what you want to hear. He just speaks what he feels

http://blog.pennlive.com/bobflounders/2 ... ill_2.html

[El-Moldo]

According to gopsusports.com, the Nits return 10 starters from last years team (5 offense, 4 defense, 1 specialist). And jack daniel says this team will finish top 10???

[KirkHerbstreit]

Did you attend Forest Hills 13th grade at UPJ and miss the reading 101 class? He said top 10 recruiting genius

[crfball]

I honestly dont think he is in 5 years I think hes the guy to get through scandal until it isnt scary for "bigger" names to go there to coach

[El-Moldo]

kirk: Sorry. Just change my answer from Crimson's question #6 to his question #1. Using my same "the Nits only return 10 starters from last year", it should help answer the question on how they will do in 2012. Sorry. By the way, what's wrong with UPJ???

[jack daniel]

Did you attend Forest Hills 13th grade at UPJ and miss the reading 101 class? He said top 10 recruiting genius

No one from Sidman can read.

[abpk2903]

1. How will the 2012 Lions do overall? Projected record, Big Ten finish, Bowl game expected.

10-2. This team will win the games its suppose to and I heard BOB speaking a few weeks ago about how preparation is what wins the games between teams with equal talent on the field. This is why, IMO, PSU has struggled with top ranked teams in the recent years. It wasn't lack of prep from players but I feel Hall, Paterno, Paterno, and Bradley were all complacent and really didn't put in the extra work needed for big games.

2. How does the program fare under O'Brien down the line?

BCS bowl births will be the regular. Each player (5 years) will have at least one run at a national title.

3. What are the strengths and weaknesses going into 2012?

Strengths: RB, LB
Weakness: DB, K
Average: WR, DL
Questions (could fall in either category): QB, OL

4. Whats the feeling with going against Urban Meyer and Brady Hoke down the road? Recruiting wars, and on the field.
BOB will have to take control of areas PSU has had in the past recruting. Pennsylvania (western and eastern), Virginia, MD, NY, and NJ. BOB has a deeper connection to the NFL both with coaching experience and contacts, as well as, a playbook that will be the most simular to the Sunday league. He has got to use this as an advantage because Meyer and Hoke will use there past success as a tool.

5. Is Bill O'Brien the guy? So hard to say, But is he Penn State's coach in 5 years?
I think he is. Something kept Joe there for 60+ years even with much more lucrative offers. I'm not saying that 10-15 years down the road he might want to try something else but I really don't see this job being used as a stepping stone. If it is though, fine, because its going to require success to more to another level.

6. How good can the recruiting class get?
10-15th nationally.

Crimson, could you answer the same questions as an outsider looking in?