Jan 9 | Penn State

[Kingbish01]

ND beats PSU by 10, I think UGA also beats PSU by 10.

 

[TracyGraham]

ND beats PSU by 10, I think UGA also beats PSU by 10.

I think Indiana beats PSU by a TD. If the Minnesota qb didn't just drop the ball untouched they beat PSU.

 

[MNIrishman]

Guys, as one of the few who have seen both Penn State and ND play live in the second half of this season, I want to assure you I'm not worried about this game. The only reason we might struggle is because they had two extra days to rest, prepare, and travel---and we're coming off a much more physical game than they just played.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

I think Indiana beats PSU by a TD. If the Minnesota qb didn't just drop the ball untouched they beat PSU.

Agree. I think IU is better than Penn State.

 

[MNIrishman]

I think Indiana beats PSU by a TD. If the Minnesota qb didn't just drop the ball untouched they beat PSU.

If you watch their games, their ability to win is pretty much based on giving Allar an incredible amount of time to throw deep balls. If we are who we believe we are, we won't let them do that like Boise and MN.

 

[MacIrish75]

I don’t see PSU eclipsing 17 points. Can the D/ST generate a couple short fields and/or a score of their own? Let’s say we get one. I think that helps a 7 point win become a 14 point win.

ND 31
PSU 17

 

[IAIrish]

View attachment 3057663

Unleash him

Wouldn't surprise me next year given how he looks on special teams. Kid can run for his size.

 

[thekid33]

State Penn folks are very cocky. Everyone I know is running their mouths.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

There was an article in today's paper (suburban Philly) about the history of ND-PSU, and how many fans both teams have in the state of PA. Outside of Indiana, there's a really good chance that the next biggest ND fan base is PA, especially the Philly area where there's a ton of Irish Catholics. And Philly is a good 5 hours from Penn State.

 

[IAIrish]

This game will be personal for Golden, who is a psu alum.

Don't believe Donnie Hinish ever got an offer from them either, as if a Hinish needed a bigger chip on their shoulder.

Speaking of north east prospects, I'd expect the winner to get a nice recruiting bump. Winner gets Joey O'Brien?

I'm more confident in this game than I was against Georgia. Seems nearly universal psu has had the easiest road to the semi's. That road ends in Miami.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I can't be the only one, but doesn't this feel like we're playing the ND teams of the 2012-2021? Sound across the board but not elite. Massive TE target that is the focus of the offense. People questioning their realness due to the schedule. High notoriety coach who the fanbase absolutely love/hates

I felt this way and made the comment against IU. ND seems to have gotten over the hump in terms of talent and speed. IU clearly hadn't. PSU is TBD.

MF gave a very interesting tidbit in one of his sideline interviews if you were paying attention. He said we have to keep running it even if it’s not working. Commit to those inside runs even if they’re not immediately successful to get the defense crashing so you can get to the edge later on like we did. Just shows the chess match that goes on and how we have that ability due to the faith in the defense. I also love that Golden told Freeman we’ve got your back and to go for it on that failed fourth down (shitty spot in my opinion). It’s really fun to watch the synergy with this team and the staff.

Does anyone have stats on the humber of outside runs they did in the second half? 4th quarter? Inside runs have merit and clearly the "line up and smash" mindset pays dividends as the game goes on. But there were so many times where it was obvious what Georgia was doing late in the game and ND just kept pounding the middle. The one outside run I recall was the play to Thomas...our slowest WR, yes? Make it make sense. J Price is an absolute menace on the outside, yet how many designed plays went to him on the outside? Faison sweeps? etc. It feels like nit picking because they obviously pulled out a massive win. But I just don't like depending on huge ST plays or defensive scoring efforts to "save" a mediocre offense. ND's offense against good defenses is so stagnant at times. It creates a razor thin margin for error. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that exacly why PSU fans have hated Franklin over the years? He's a stubborn, vanilla coach, who relies on physicality, acts scared to throw down field, creates a razor thin margin for error and ultimately loses big games because of his bad coaching decisions, that his offenses can't overcome? That's how I've viewed his teams anyways. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[stlnd01]

State Penn folks are very cocky. Everyone I know is running their mouths.

Really don't understand what Penn State fans have to be cocky about. They are basically later-Kelly-era Notre Dame without ever having actually made the playoffs. Like a bunch of our 2017/2019/2021-type seasons.
They might win this game, sure. They're a solid team. But they've lost lesser big games than this many times.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

I thought all of this before Rylie Mills and J. Love got hurt (and way before Cross aggravated something). We're already have freshman all over the starting and reserve units, I just don't know how much more we can handle.

Love was such a massive part of our offense that I don't know how we can produce chunk plays without him. Maybe this team has another trick up it's sleeve or more punishment to dole out but the logical part of my brain keeps saying, 'the center cannot hold'.

Against Ohio St, I agree. Against Penn St...we still have enough horses to finish the race.

 

[TracyGraham]

I thought all of this before Rylie Mills and J. Love got hurt (and way before Cross aggravated something). We're already have freshman all over the starting and reserve units, I just don't know how much more we can handle.

Love was such a massive part of our offense that I don't know how we can produce chunk plays without him. Maybe this team has another trick up it's sleeve or more punishment to dole out but the logical part of my brain keeps saying, 'the center cannot hold'.

Is it official that we are gonna be w/out Love? Sorry if I missed this. Guess I've been under a rock the past couple days and missed any update. Still think we will be fine for PSU but didn't realize Love was out.

 

[china423]

 

[IrishEyesAreSmiling]

ugh

 

[NDFAN2008]

If Love isn’t healthy I’d rather roll with Price a healthy Price is better than a banged up Love. Get Williams and Young some reps

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

ugh

On such a short turnaround I’d be surprised if they were working him normally.

 

[EvilleIrish]

Driskell with a much more positive practice report on the injury report so who knows

 

[spoonidentity]

Driskell with a much more positive practice report on the injury report so who knows

O'Malley saying Love with the brace but went through normal warm-ups and sells on the 20 minutes. Sampson outlier so far

 

[Free Manera]

FWIW O’Malley didn’t call him limited but said he had a brace on.

Cross was heavily taped but also did not seem limited.

 

[FOTY977]

I can't be the only one, but doesn't this feel like we're playing the ND teams of the 2012-2021? Sound across the board but not elite. Massive TE target that is the focus of the offense. People questioning their realness due to the schedule. High notoriety coach who the fanbase absolutely love/hates

…who has a reputation of not winning the big one

 

[BilboBaggins]

Price and Williams are good enough to win this game.

 

[IrishWayDomer]

Man, I think this game is a coin flip but feels like you have to sit him or use in emergency situations. I've never seen a team fucked by injuries like this title contending one.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

The knock against Price was he always broke outside and tried to house every run instead of taking the 4-6 up the gut. In his limited carries it's hard to blame him for trying to make the most of his opportunities. He showed a willingness against UGA to run inside and he would be a complete back if Love wasn't playing.

We NEED Love to beat OSU or Texas. I'd only use him if absolutely necessary against Penn St.

 

[GoldenAura]

If it’s still a toss up closer to game time I’d rather not risk further injury when I think we’re capable of beating Penn State without him. Let Price and Williams step up.

Get Love as healthy as possible for the natty.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Young was a battering ram in his limited carries too.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Leonard, Price and Williams are good enough to win this game.

Fify

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Man, I think this game is a coin flip but feels like you have to sit him or use in emergency situations. I've never seen a team fucked by injuries like this title contending one.

In years past injuries affected all teams but stockpiling talent got you through them. Teams without depth have always struggled long term against teams with depth.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Price and Williams are good enough to win this game.

No Sir - probably going to need someone glued to that Tyler Warren kid too.........