Coach who can't win the big one - Check (Both teams lacked a Top 15 win regular season, although PSU now has 2 due to weak playoff field)
Elite Defense - Check (Int 15 vs 18, sacks 41 vs 39, ppg 9th at 18.3 vs 7th at 15.8)
Very similar QB who can't really run (Allar better) and won't win the game for you - Check (Coan 65.5% 3150 yds, 25/7 ratio, Allar 67.4% 3192 yds 24/7)
Excellent tight end - Check. (Warren is better, but Mayer had 70 rec for 840 yds/7TDS, Warren has 98 rec for 1158 yds / 8TDS )
Lack of elite WR production - Check. (Shockingly similar breakdown, no receivers over 900 yards or 50 receptions. Kevin Austin was best WR in production between both teams, but the splits are very close)
Strong rushing attack - Check. (PSU stats somewhat inflated with 3 extra games, but the ypc is close)
Beat every team they were supposed to - Check .
Lost to every team they were supposed to - Check. (Cincinnati made playoffs and lost 27-6 to Bama, OSU and Oregon both beat PSU)
2024 PSU > 2021 ND, but PSU has reminded me of some other team for a few weeks now and I couldn't put a finger on it. It's us in 2021. I'd take the 2024 ND team over a slightly better 2021 ND team every day of the week
Replies to: "The more I think of it, the more this PSU team reminds me so much of the 2021 ND team"
- Area of concern - O-line not getting much going on rushing plays - MarkHarman - 10:18pm 1/8/25
(10) [View All]
- The zone run scheme vs UGA was leaving gaping holes and the LBs with free reign [NT] - Rocketman84 - 8:59am 1/9/25
- Given blocking assignments, pass use of tight ends has withered. Flanagan out could also be an issue - LanceManion - 6:37am 1/9/25
- I’m also nervous about tonight. PSU is the most complete team ND has faced. [NT]
- jray - 8:27am 1/9/25
- I think it will come down to 2-3 big plays; could go either way [NT] - LanceManion - 1:18pm 1/9/25
- But the reverse is also true. Their playoff run has not prepared them for what ND will bring. - murph78 - 8:51am 1/9/25
- The more I think of it, the more this PSU team reminds me so much of the 2021 ND team - Turkish - 10:14am 1/9/25
- Exactly…their QB actually throws down field accurately to the tune of 3200 yds - WoodstockIrish - 8:33am 1/9/25
- Now would be the time for the offense to uncork it [NT] - LanceManion - 1:15pm 1/9/25
- I’m also nervous about tonight. PSU is the most complete team ND has faced. [NT]
- jray - 8:27am 1/9/25
- This is our biggest issue. Unless we can throw the ball down the field our offense will - ndphysics - 5:18am 1/9/25
- Running the ball is the key - OklahomaIrishman - 8:59am 1/9/25