Regular season prediction poll
- Thread starter bdroc
- Start date
Sheriff Coffee
Well-known member
I am going with 11-1. It is silly to think we can get through an entire B1G schedule undefeated. tOSU had two losses last year, eked into the playoff, and won the natty. We've got two very difficult games against Oregon and tOSU, the two best in the B1G, not counting us. These are probably close to 50/50 games.
The next tier of games are against teams that will all be ranked in the top 20 (probably): Iowa and Indiana. Then we have a few games where we can lose if we don't exceed our B-game (like MN last year, I think USC knew the game was their season and played really well against us): Nebraska, UCLA, Rutgers, and Sparty. I think UCLA will be improved, as will be Sparty this year.
The next tier of games are against teams that will all be ranked in the top 20 (probably): Iowa and Indiana. Then we have a few games where we can lose if we don't exceed our B-game (like MN last year, I think USC knew the game was their season and played really well against us): Nebraska, UCLA, Rutgers, and Sparty. I think UCLA will be improved, as will be Sparty this year.
RickinDayton
Well-known member
Agree. One key injury on defense like Durant, DDS, or Wheatley or Allar from the offense and this could end up 9-3.
Number 1 is most critical. If QB is down long term , we can go from a 12-0 team to 8-4 very fast. —Numbers 2, 3 are worrisome but not critical. We can pretty much play “bully ball” with the RB’s and OL along with a functional Allar, and still make the playoffs
Sheriff Coffee
Well-known member
...and last year, we had two close games in Minny and at USC. I feel like we beat minny but we were very lucky to beat USC. That included two questionable non-calls for PI and a FG kicker that missed a very makable FG in OT. We'll probably have one or two of those this year as well. Indy, UCLA, Iowa, NE, Rutgers....non of these are walk-overs on any given Saturday when they are playing one of the top-ranked teams in the nation.
LudicrousSpeedGO!
Well-known member
I went 11-1. For the record, I don't think there is an undefeated team this year. Maybe someone like Clemson or Notre Dame with a weak schedule. But there is no B1G or SEC team that runs the gauntlet in the regular season although one will in the playoff.
For #2 it is DE I think more than DT but really it is the entire DL. On the DL, two proven guys, next two coming back from injuries then all freshman and sophomores who have not played.
On #3 to be more specific it is no improvement in big games. If he improves against Indiana but still is lousy vs OSU and Oregon that doesn't help us.
TheNewBoss
New member
11-1. Criticizing myself for the pick, I'd say it is very unadventurous pick. Should go with 12-0. oh ye of little faith.
RickinDayton
Well-known member
Many of us voted the same way. Not sure anyone can go undefeated in the B1G or SEC this year.
LudicrousSpeedGO!
Well-known member
Agreed. At Ohio St, we may have the better team but I doubt the Big 10 would allow us to escape with a win. They have had some incredibly consequential calls over the years in our razer thin margin with the Buckeyes most years, and pretty much all of those calls and no calls went against us. We aren't likely going to beat them away with Big 10 referees. In games that aren't close, the refs don't influence as much. This one will be tight.
Oregon, I do think we handle. I think it's 2 score game. They are very talented but that is a lot for an almost completely new lineup including QB to overcome relatively early in the season in a white out.
GregInPitt
Well-known member
Agree on Oregon. They are breaking in a very talented new QB, but experience is everything at QB. An inexperienced QB for PSU could win a good many games with the PSU OL and RB's, but at PSU, whiteout, and against a team that ran for 300 yards at a neutral site last season when they had a top 20 NFL DT pick, I don't see Oregon pulling an upset.
I agree. Losing Allar early would likely be worth 2-3 loss. A young but prepared QB should be able to lead PSU to wins against all the middle talent B10 teams but against Oregon it may becomes a toss up and it's a loss at the shoe. And maybe that QB is responsible for a couple turnovers in an away game that should have been a win but ends up making the oppenent's season with the upset.
Any one of the top DL players lost may end up losing one game. I'm much more optimistic that the young DE's and DT's will positively surprise us and be able to form high performance rotations at both positions with the experienced nucleus and young talent at both positions than most people on this board. But losing Durant to me would be the biggest loss and also at seasons end could result in an early close loss in the playoffs to a team I believe a heathy PSU wins. He's a difference maker and disrumptive against the run and the pass which will especially be key vs oh-high-ya and in the playoffs.
NittanyLion99
Well-known member
Assume it was Wallace Breen with the 9-3 prediction
RickinDayton
Well-known member
Or whatever handle he is now using.
LudicrousSpeedGO!
Well-known member
He has us at 7-5. All the teams we beat are terrible and we lose to the good ones. Then during the season, if we beat those good teams, they weren't good after all.
Wesauking Lion
New member
I was one who predicted 10-2.
I think PSU beats Oregon for the reasons mentioned above...... White Out / Home Field, Oregon starts a new QB, and PSU returns a lot on Offense and Defense.
It is an absolute toss up with OSU. OSU is a hard to get win when they are home. They will have lots of games to work out the kinks. Sayin will be settled in by that game. I can see PSU losing this.
I think PSU loses one more random game.... somewhere on the schedule... Iowa? Not saying we should lose to anyone else but it happens.
James Franklin will cost us a game. Between the stupid trick plays, going for it on 4th deep in out own territory, clock management.... something. Every year he claims to clean that up... and yet... he doesnt clean it up.
10-2. I hope I am absolutely wrong. Nothing would be better than to beat OSU. Until you do it, You have not done it.
I think PSU beats Oregon for the reasons mentioned above...... White Out / Home Field, Oregon starts a new QB, and PSU returns a lot on Offense and Defense.
It is an absolute toss up with OSU. OSU is a hard to get win when they are home. They will have lots of games to work out the kinks. Sayin will be settled in by that game. I can see PSU losing this.
I think PSU loses one more random game.... somewhere on the schedule... Iowa? Not saying we should lose to anyone else but it happens.
James Franklin will cost us a game. Between the stupid trick plays, going for it on 4th deep in out own territory, clock management.... something. Every year he claims to clean that up... and yet... he doesnt clean it up.
10-2. I hope I am absolutely wrong. Nothing would be better than to beat OSU. Until you do it, You have not done it.
LudicrousSpeedGO!
Well-known member
That's Weak Sauce, Wesauk. I disagree but it's plausible. IMO, 11-1 is most probable, then 12-0, then 10-2. I just wanted to type Weak Sauce, Wesauk.
Odds makers predict 10.5 wins for Oregon, OSU, & PSU. 10-2 seems like a more reasonable prediction than 12-0.
joeaubie21
New member
11-1 until we can prove we're capable of beating OSU
