Nevada, FIU, and Villanova….

C

Creamery

Member
Who prepares us best for Oregon?
And what are you looking to see?

I say FIU.
AND I want to see what our WRs show and this should provide a great opportunity to open up the Offense. Also want to see what Knowles Defense looks like and how it will be different from the past 2 coordinators.

Here’s a very brief summary on each team..,

Nevada, led on Offense by Chubba Purdy, brother of Brock Purdy, and only has 1 returning starter on D. Nevada is 7-30 the past 3 years. The 2 teams have never played.

FIUs qb Keyone Jenkins returns after throwing for over 2500 yards and 22 TDs and there are other returners on O plus a decent Oline returning from last year. A strong secondary could test PSU’s rebuilt WR room. Lone game vs PSU in ‘07 was a 59-0 PSU victory.

Villanova, ranked #14 in preseason FCS polls, lost their qb and some key defensive players. However they return 2 RBs and 7 O linemen. PSU didn’t look great the last time they played Nova , a 38-17 win with a struggling O line. PSU is 6-3-1 all time vs ‘Nova.
 
Creamery said:
Who prepares us best for Oregon?
And what are you looking to see?

I say FIU.
AND I want to see what our WRs show and this should provide a great opportunity to open up the Offense. Also want to see what Knowles Defense looks like and how it will be different from the past 2 coordinators.

Here’s a very brief summary on each team..,

Nevada, led on Offense by Chubba Purdy, brother of Brock Purdy, and only has 1 returning starter on D. Nevada is 7-30 the past 3 years. The 2 teams have never played.

FIUs qb Keyone Jenkins returns after throwing for over 2500 yards and 22 TDs and there are other returners on O plus a decent Oline returning from last year. A strong secondary could test PSU’s rebuilt WR room. Lone game vs PSU in ‘07 was a 59-0 PSU victory.

Villanova, ranked #14 in preseason FCS polls, lost their qb and some key defensive players. However they return 2 RBs and 7 O linemen. PSU didn’t look great the last time they played Nova , a 38-17 win with a struggling O line. PSU is 6-3-1 all time vs ‘Nova.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. I knew nothing about any of those teams other than their location and conference affiliation. It appears FIU is the best of those three. Really disappointed in PSUs OOC scheduling.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fac
Creamery said:
Who prepares us best for Oregon?
And what are you looking to see?

I say FIU.
AND I want to see what our WRs show and this should provide a great opportunity to open up the Offense. Also want to see what Knowles Defense looks like and how it will be different from the past 2 coordinators.

Here’s a very brief summary on each team..,

Nevada, led on Offense by Chubba Purdy, brother of Brock Purdy, and only has 1 returning starter on D. Nevada is 7-30 the past 3 years. The 2 teams have never played.

FIUs qb Keyone Jenkins returns after throwing for over 2500 yards and 22 TDs and there are other returners on O plus a decent Oline returning from last year. A strong secondary could test PSU’s rebuilt WR room. Lone game vs PSU in ‘07 was a 59-0 PSU victory.

Villanova, ranked #14 in preseason FCS polls, lost their qb and some key defensive players. However they return 2 RBs and 7 O linemen. PSU didn’t look great the last time they played Nova , a 38-17 win with a struggling O line. PSU is 6-3-1 all time vs ‘Nova.
Click to expand...
I'm going with none of the above. They are essentially preseason games, and the Oregon game will have a different speed and feel. These preseason games are also an opportunity to figure out which young and depth players deserve a shot against real teams. It is also an opportunity to keep our starters fresh for almost a month before the real season starts.

If I were Franklin, I would substitute during the preseason very liberally and early. I would also have the starters on a modified strength and conditioning program from typical in season work. This period should reflect a preseason cycle that gives them an entire extra month to make progress before dialing back to in season maintenance.
 
RickinDayton said:
Thanks for the info. I knew nothing about any of those teams other than their location and conference affiliation. It appears FIU is the best of those three. Really disappointed in PSUs OOC scheduling.
Click to expand...
Agree on the OOC games. We dropped our season tix and that was part of the reason. Not sure what the answer is with the CFP and BI0 wanting to play 9 games
 
Creamery said:
Who prepares us best for Oregon?
And what are you looking to see?

I say FIU.
AND I want to see what our WRs show and this should provide a great opportunity to open up the Offense. Also want to see what Knowles Defense looks like and how it will be different from the past 2 coordinators.

Here’s a very brief summary on each team..,

Nevada, led on Offense by Chubba Purdy, brother of Brock Purdy, and only has 1 returning starter on D. Nevada is 7-30 the past 3 years. The 2 teams have never played.

FIUs qb Keyone Jenkins returns after throwing for over 2500 yards and 22 TDs and there are other returners on O plus a decent Oline returning from last year. A strong secondary could test PSU’s rebuilt WR room. Lone game vs PSU in ‘07 was a 59-0 PSU victory.

Villanova, ranked #14 in preseason FCS polls, lost their qb and some key defensive players. However they return 2 RBs and 7 O linemen. PSU didn’t look great the last time they played Nova , a 38-17 win with a struggling O line. PSU is 6-3-1 all time vs ‘Nova.
Click to expand...
“What are three teams I’d rather not see on the PSU schedule for $200 Alex?”
 
Good topic for the off season a little over a month out.

herosports.com

2025 Nevada Football Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & Schedule

Nevada is entering its second season with Jeff Choate as the team's head coach. Here's a look at the Wolf Pack's 2025 roster and schedule.
herosports.com herosports.com

Nevada - very likely a weak opponent, but with the portal it's no telling what they could be under a 2nd year coach. This is a game where we should have a commanding lead late in the 2nd quarter and substitute all the way through our depth chart. 52-3 type of game. Even if we are in rhythm early, I don't think Franklin will throttle them any worse than this.


Recurring theme with the lower end teams: how do they fare with portal changes? They were bad last year and the schedule is actually tougher. They had decent pass defense stats, but how much of that is they couldn't stop the run at all? They gave up 200+ yards rushing every game. Our Line is probably chomping at the bit.

They do return their QB and essentially the entire secondary. It's a coin flip determining which opponent can possibly challenge us more. This game should be over before halftime as well.

herosports.com

2025 FCS Top 25: No. 14 Villanova Football Preview

Villanova ranks No. 14 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25. Here’s a look at the 2025 Nova football squad.
herosports.com herosports.com

Dare I say that this will be the toughest game of the 3 OOC opponents? FCS, yes, but they are at least a good FCS team. They return 7 OL with experience and their top 2 RBs from a year ago. They will likely present the best unit we'll face ooc. A good challenge for our DL and LB depth...well, the best one they will get outside of our scout team prior to hosting Oregon.

I think the biggest takeaways from the ooc games will be:

1. Offensive rhythm. Can we get drives going rather easily? Can we get big play TDs? These games should be 24, 28-0 at the half if not more. Great offenses beat teams like this effortlessly.

2. Defensive depth. This is where you figure out your rotations and who can go and who can't. As long as the offense is rolling, key on learning what you have and who works together the best. The stats we give up here are irrelevant. Figure out what DTs and DEs can go.
 
AvgUser said:
“What are three teams I’d rather not see on the PSU schedule for $200 Alex?”
Click to expand...
And it only gets better…

Syracuse actually isn’t a bad early season opponent…

2026 - Marshall, @Temple, Buffalo

2027 - Syracuse, Delaware, Temple

2028 - Ball St, @Syracuse, UMass
 
Creamery said:
Who prepares us best for Oregon?
And what are you looking to see?

I say FIU.
AND I want to see what our WRs show and this should provide a great opportunity to open up the Offense. Also want to see what Knowles Defense looks like and how it will be different from the past 2 coordinators.

Here’s a very brief summary on each team..,

Nevada, led on Offense by Chubba Purdy, brother of Brock Purdy, and only has 1 returning starter on D. Nevada is 7-30 the past 3 years. The 2 teams have never played.

FIUs qb Keyone Jenkins returns after throwing for over 2500 yards and 22 TDs and there are other returners on O plus a decent Oline returning from last year. A strong secondary could test PSU’s rebuilt WR room. Lone game vs PSU in ‘07 was a 59-0 PSU victory.

Villanova, ranked #14 in preseason FCS polls, lost their qb and some key defensive players. However they return 2 RBs and 7 O linemen. PSU didn’t look great the last time they played Nova , a 38-17 win with a struggling O line. PSU is 6-3-1 all time vs ‘Nova.
Click to expand...

We prepare ourselves for Oregon.

We have 3 tune-ups to get the engines humming, try out some new stuff and refine old stuff, and get some new additions some PT, in case they're needed. And we have a bye.

I don't really see Oregon being tested at all prior to meeting us, either.

Personally, I'd rather see us play a stud team each week, so I can get max entertainment value, but it is what it is.
 
Lazy Dave said:
Definitely would improve the ooc slate.
Click to expand...
I don't think the goal is to improve the ooc slate to be honest. I think the goal is give us a preseason that keeps players fresh for longer in the season so that we can make the playoffs most years. And as long as the SEC sticks with one less conference game, I don't see us putting decent OOC games on the slate.
 
For those staying the night before in State College for home games this is an opportunity to tour the newest additions to our engineering landscape—the Engineering Design and Innovation (EDI) Building and the Engineering Collaboration, Research, and Education (ECoRE) Building!

You're Invited: Tour the New West Campus Buildings
Tonya L. Peeples, Harold and Inge Marcus Dean, College of Engineering <[email protected]>

1753718970297.jpeg
Join Us for West Campus Buildings Tours When You Return to Penn State University Park​
The College of Engineering is excited to welcome you back to the University Park for an exclusive opportunity to tour the newest additions to our engineering landscape—the Engineering Design and Innovation (EDI) Building and the Engineering Collaboration, Research, and Education (ECoRE) Building!

· EDI brings "Engineering on Display" to life, showcasing hands-on design and student innovation.

· Opened in 2024, ECoRE is the new home for aerospace engineering, acoustics, architectural engineering, and civil and environmental engineering—a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research.

These buildings are part of a bold transformation of the College of Engineering's physical footprint. During your visit, you’ll also learn more about the Engineering Master Facilities Plan and the exciting future of engineering at Penn State.
Tour Details
Tours will be offered on Fridays of Penn State home football weekends. Choose from one of the following time slots:​
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Space is limited—sign up today to reserve your spot!​
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Space is limited—sign up today to reserve your spot!​
Link to Register:

Microsoft Forms

forms.office.com forms.office.com
Come see how the College of Engineering is reimagining the future—and how your legacy continues to shape it.​
 
Last edited:
LudicrousSpeedGO! said:
I don't think the goal is to improve the ooc slate to be honest. I think the goal is give us a preseason that keeps players fresh for longer in the season so that we can make the playoffs most years. And as long as the SEC sticks with one less conference game, I don't see us putting decent OOC games on the slate.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Syracuse and similar level teams are probably the ceiling going forward unless we schedule somebody during an up year.
 
LudicrousSpeedGO! said:
I don't think the goal is to improve the ooc slate to be honest. I think the goal is give us a preseason that keeps players fresh for longer in the season so that we can make the playoffs most years. And as long as the SEC sticks with one less conference game, I don't see us putting decent OOC games on the slate.
Click to expand...
Understand. As a fan I don't plan on spending $$$ to attend those type of weak OOC games.
 
Last edited:
This presents an opportunity to get Pitt back on the schedule. That’ll get people worked up. Particularly if Narduzzi remains their coach and they insist on a home and home, which is even more ridiculous now in their weakened position.

But seriously, yes, Syracuse, UNC, VA, even Army and Navy, would provide more interest than the current OOC slate.
 
Creamery said:
This presents an opportunity to get Pitt back on the schedule. That’ll get people worked up. Particularly if Narduzzi remains their coach and they insist on a home and home, which is even more ridiculous now in their weakened position.

But seriously, yes, Syracuse, UNC, VA, even Army and Navy, would provide more interest than the current OOC slate.
Click to expand...
Agree.
 
With the expansion of the college football playoff, why would we want to risk further fatigue and injury later in the season with physically tough games earlier in the season? Unless the process explicitly rewards strength of schedule, I’m not sure there’s any reason to add tough OOC games. Cheating or not, Michigan won a natty with an easy tuneup ooc schedule.
 
These ooc games are simply preseason scrimmages. The season opener is on 9/27. I understand the argument on why schedule a team with a pulse if you can just schedule these patsies and still make the playoff.

With that said, I think the networks and the conference are missing out on a revenue generating opportunity of doing a Big Ten vs SEC challenge week either the second or third week of the season. Set it up like how it is done for college basketball. The bottom two teams in the Big Ten from last year miss out on participating. Kind of like the bottom teams in the Big Ten for basketball miss the B10 tournament. The pairings could simply be #1 from last season in each conference squares off and so on down to #16 vs #16. This would be great for cfb and for the fans.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

LudicrousSpeedGO!
Big 10 contenders
2 3
Replies
42
Views
439
Sheriff Coffee
Sheriff Coffee
Back
Top