Talk about the game here.
Penn State vs. Nevada (@Home 8/30, 3:30 p.m. EDT, TV - CBS/Paramount+)
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Well the good news is that THE SEASON IS FINALLY HERE!!!!...which is always exciting.
On the other hand, I'm having a hard time getting super excited about our opener against Nevada out of the lowly Mountain West Conference...coming off three straight 10-loss seasons and currently ranked 127th (out of 138) on ESPN's FPI list.
Appropriately, we're better than 6-TD favorites. It's hard to see this game as anything other than a scrimmage, which to me means that it will be hard to learn a lot from it. The main question in my mind is when does Coach pull the starters.
But at least THE SEASON IS FINALLY HERE!!!...and thank heavens for that.
On the other hand, I'm having a hard time getting super excited about our opener against Nevada out of the lowly Mountain West Conference...coming off three straight 10-loss seasons and currently ranked 127th (out of 138) on ESPN's FPI list.
Appropriately, we're better than 6-TD favorites. It's hard to see this game as anything other than a scrimmage, which to me means that it will be hard to learn a lot from it. The main question in my mind is when does Coach pull the starters.
But at least THE SEASON IS FINALLY HERE!!!...and thank heavens for that.
Knickslions
Active member
Can’t wait. How long before someone posts we stink. I say second snap lol
Our first incomplete pass? First time the defense gives up a 3rd down conversion?
Sheriff Coffee
Well-known member
I didn't realize that there are Thursday games too.
Sheriff Coffee
Well-known member
I have to say that I like the Nevada Head Coach. I may even get a nevada hat
I didn't realize that there are Thursday games too.
More football!
Prediction: Big 10 is 15-3 during week 1.
Dave, what are your thoughts on Ohio State-Texas?
Honestly, I like Texas to spring a very mild upset.
Sheriff Coffee
Well-known member
Not Dave but I've been hearing that tOSU's quarterback play has been spotty this spring. They have a new OC (promoted WR coach after losing Chip Kelly) and Matt Patricia who replaced Knowles (and hasn't been a DC in college). I've also heard that the team hasn't been as focused this offseason, taking a victory lap from last year's Natty.
At RB, they'll have two RBs. One is Peoples, who hasn't played a ton (49 total carries for 200 yards), and the other is CJ Donaldson, who played for WVU the last two years.
They've got talent all over the field but a lot of it is not game-tested.
While it is in Columbus, which is a huge advantage, I think TX wins handily.
Thanks, I guess I'm buying into the Arch Manning hype though the kid has seen only limited playing time and never against a team like the Buckeyes in a place like the Shoe. Still, he's got all the tools and from what I can tell he's a preseason Heisman favorite.
On the other side, Ohio State starts a new QB against a Texas D that has three preseason 1st-team All-Americans. But he'll be throwing the ball to the best WR group in the country, one of whom (Smith) is arguably the best player in the country.
Both teams are loaded with talent even though both had to replace a lot of guys who went to the NFL last year. In the end, it's hard for me to see this as a blowout either way...but I give Texas a slim nod to win a close game. Wouldn't shock me if it goes the other way, however.
This is a very interesting matchup. I've watched OSU basically dominate everybody for the last 10, almost 15 years save for the truly high end teams. My issue is, is this Texas team high end? I know they have Arch, but is he as good as Ewers was last year? Do they have the same caliber of weapons?
Additionally, they replace a lot of the OL and the entire DL. Does Sark have em in reload mode? Seems like it, but I'm unsure.
The only thing I know for sure is that OSU has the 2 best players on the field yet they have traditionally been weak in these early season matchups (VaTech got em in '14, Baker Mayfield-led Oklahoma won once and pre-Big 10 Oregon comes to mind).
My prediction: OSU eeks one out. Probably 34-31 ish as I think both offenses will be better than the defenses early.
Sheriff Coffee
Well-known member
I 100% agree. Both QBs are untested in big games. But if you suggest that those two are a push, TX has more returning talent and is hungrier. This is especially true at RB and DL. I think you are going to see TX try to bring a lot of pressure so that those talented WRs can't get into their long routes. tOSU counters with short passes to get them into the game. That makes tOSU kind of one-dimensional. If they can't establish a running game, you Sayin may be running for his life. He's not a big kid, under 200 lbs.
I just feel that TX is a more mature team that is also deeper.
Sheriff Coffee
Well-known member
This "game day thread" is a cool feature. Well thought out, IMHO.
Texas’ fate vs. Ohio State rests on these 3 "fierce" positional matchups on Saturday
Heading into their week one showdown against Ohio State in Columbus on Saturday, there are three specific areas that Texas needs to have success in to ultimatel
Knickslions
Active member
Plus no lando so far
Texas’ fate vs. Ohio State rests on these 3 "fierce" positional matchups on Saturday
Heading into their week one showdown against Ohio State in Columbus on Saturday, there are three specific areas that Texas needs to have success in to ultimatelhookemheadlines.com
Good stuff, Dave.
Yeah, that match-up of the Longhorn's all-star secondary with Ohio State's all-world receiving corps should be beautiful to watch.
I was recently reading an analysis of the 2025 Buckeye team which featured one of those off-the-record quotes from an unnamed conference coach and here's what he said:
>>Jeremiah Smith...every game is like the best game of his life. How do you defend a Sunday guy when they have two other Sunday guys out there on the field?<<
Texas needs to answer that question. Of course it helps if you have some Sunday guys in your secondary, which Texas has.
I really look forward to this game. Raw talent, both sides are probably top 5 at worst. I still have to wonder if OSU can replace THAT much NFL talent without some setbacks. UGA did (even if that meant 2 losses and looking human). Michigan faceplanted (but cheating was their ace in the hole). Bama without Saban lost 4 games.
How much of it is NIL, transfer portal, or something else?
Now the talk is Portnoy isn't allowed inside Ohio stadium. Drama baby. Big noon rides again.
Apparently the deal on Portnoy is that it was a call by Fox to not include him on the network's in-stadium crew but he'll be commenting in the studio. Word is this is what Fox intends to do on all its B-10 conference games. In any case, Ohio State has been at pains to emphasize that it hasn't banned Portnoy from the Shoe.
Back to the game on the field, there are a number of keys but I think in the end the most critical factor will be the QB play. Big-time hype surrounds both these guys. I think Sayin was the #1 prospect out of high school in 2024 and we all know the buzz on Manning. Arch at least does have some limited experience as a starter whereas Julian only had 12 pass attempts all of last year.
Lots of pressure on both those guys. Who will live up to his billing? If both do, it's gonna be a helluva game!
Pennstate_one
New member
Lol they'll be calling for Grunk and Knowles being a disappointment
