Mailbag: Lions’ grit reaffirms fan pride
Penn State mailbag
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Sorting through the blue and white mailbag:
Neil:
The storyline would have made it a game for the ages, except for the final score.
Nevertheless, with grit and determination this team reaffirmed fan pride.
This program survived NCAA sanctions. It will survive a coaching change.
Now, let's win the next three, finish 6-6, and put this chapter behind.
Dave Semler
Reedsville
Dave:
Sounds like a plan.
Neil:
Kotelnicki absolutely lost this game. How do you call a bunch formation and throw short of the sticks on third-and-10 with 2:09 on the clock?
Indiana knows we weren't going to get the first down running the ball and you only save a few seconds with the upcoming two-minute timeout. Go for the first down and win the game.
I guess $1.8 million doesn't get you what it used to.
Does anyone have Fran Ganter's number?
Mark Patla
Trappe
Mark:
The next OC can't be from the Big 12.
Neil:
Why isn't Al Golden being mentioned as a potential candidate for his alma mater, PSU?
Wasn't he the one who really turned around the Temple football program before taking on a nearly impossible assignment at The U in Miami?
Since then it appears he has built up his resume impressively and could be someone who could move in today, re-establish his strong PSU ties and JoePa's nationwide support.
Thom Geishauser
Altoona
Thom:
As the Irish DC, Al schemed up Notre Dame's game-clinching interception vs. Nits last year.
He was a finalist when James Franklin was hired in 2014.
Would he want to go through a process again?
He's the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator, and that unit is in transition.
Neil:
It's been a long time coming, but that finally felt and looked like Penn State football.
The last three losses (aside from the second half against Ohio State) felt and looked different from the previous three.
I'm not convinced Grunkemeyer is the QB of the future but facing the No. 1, 2 and 4th ranked defenses in your three starts was baptism by fire.
Let's hope a new coach can bring sustained success against all competition and keeps Smith on the staff.
Larry Eisman
Conshohocken
Larry:
The next coach, depending on where he's from, may want to bring a QB with him.
That said, Grunk is showing enough as a passer that he should have a running start.
He's also impressed as a leader.
Neil:
I'm thinking the best hire would be Urban Meyer. I've heard you express disdain for him.
However, I do believe that he fits more of the boxes today than any of the other names out there. Tell Mark Brennan that I agree with him.
1. He is available.
2. He has a proven record for turning programs around.
3. He has won the biggest games.
4. His reputation, I believe, would save this locker room.
5. His reputation would salvage recent recruitment decommits and bring them back in to the fold.
6. His reputation will attract good players in the portal.
Meyer is the man this program needs, and I can only hope Penn State has the money to get him to State College ASAP.
Will Walk
Spring, Texas
Will:
He says he doesn't want the job.
Meyer -- not Brennan.
Hello, Neil:
"For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: 'It might have been.'"
Sad. Very sad.
John Raymond
Marshfield, Mass.
Hello, John:
You seem to like sayings.
When I pledged the Beta Sigma Beta fraternity, we were told this during Hell Week: "The darkest hour comes just before the dawn."
Neil Rudel will respond to brief questions and comments in Gameday. You can email him at nrudel@altoonamirror.com and follow him on X @neilrudel.
Rudel vs. the oddsmakers
Line: Penn State is an 7.5-point favorite.
Inside the line: Michigan State is 5-1 vs. the number in its last six games but just 1-8 vs. spot at home in last nine (1-4 this year) ... In last 10 vs. Sparty, Lions are just 5-5 straight up and 4-5-1 vs. spot ... Over-under is 48.5 ... Over has hit on six of Lions' last seven games and five of last six visits to MSU. (Source: Odds Shark).
Prediction: Penn State 32, Michigan State 19
Prediction record: 6-3
PSU record vs. spread: 3-6
Prediction record vs. spread: 5-4