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Sorting through the blue and white mailbag while welcoming another season:
Neil:
Love the idea of the team of staying at the Penn Stater for preseason camp, if nothing else to mix it up and differentiate from the previous regime.
And it can't hurt with the team camaraderie.
I find Manske to be a great story...the team and media did not mention his "injury" until recently. I think he may be a hidden gem, and will be key if Becht goes down during the year.
Looking forward to our massive defensive line and hope it produces great results against running games this year.
Your 9-3 record cannot be disputed with so many unknowns.
Meantime, 1-0 against Marshall...
Kirk Gadebusch, Atlanta
Kirk:
With as much ground as you've covered, you're already in midseason form.
Neil:
Congratulations on your 50th year of covering Penn State football. Wow, guess that means that we're growing "older" (an excellent option considering the alternative).
My initial concerns for the upcoming season include:
1. A rookie head coach in the Big Ten. How will Matt Campbell approach and prepare his squad?
2. The physicality test that the Iowa State transfers will have to pass weekly during the conference schedule.
3. Will Pat Kraft and Campbell be able to continue to raise the $$$ that's required to complete the Beaver Stadium renovation project and fund the NIL pipeline?
Mitchell Naimark
Severna Park, MD
Mitchell:
Winning has a way of opening pockets.
Neil:
Campbell has a proven track record of extracting extraordinary production from talent that is short of elite.
And the schedule is not exactly daunting. I'm tempted to go with 10-2, but I'm going to settle in at 9-3. It's nice to dream of the CFP, but this program is making a huge transition.
These things I know: This team is not going to bail out on its coach like last year's cowards; game-day decisions will not look Keystone Kopish; and the head coach will not, after every game, talk about "cleaning up" the same mistakes he mentioned after every previous game.
Rick Weber, Fort Myers, Fla.
Rick:
At Iowa State, it was tough to attract elite talent.
At Penn State, it will be a requirement.
Neil:
There's a lot of variables determining PSU's success this year (new coach and how he performs in the Big Ten, integration of Iowa State players).
However, Penn State does play a relatively easy schedule (no OSU, Oregon or Indiana and USC at home).
My prediction would be 10-2 and an outside chance of making the 12-team playoff.
John Gibb, Washington, D.C.
John:
10-2 would be a great season.
Neil:
I'm scratching my head somewhat clueless but here goes.
I'm so impressed with 23 players following Campbell from ISU. Which says a lot about coach. However, I don't think many of the transfers will be confused with Ohio State studs.
So much rides on keeping Rocco healthy (I'm a master of the obvious). If that chip falls, we could end up 7-5.
I'll go with 8-4 for now.
In fairness to Campbell, I believe he needs two-three years. He's building a great culture and will need a little time. But he WILL get it done.
Tim Muri, Plainfield, Illinois
Tim:
You sound a little bit like Hank Kimball on Green Acres.
Neil:
With still only a 12-team College Football Playoff this season, I think it is a stretch for Penn State to receive an invite, but I do think your 9-3 prediction is a possibility.
One prediction I will make regarding Coach Campbell: "Success with Honor" is back at Penn State.
Samuel Bernstine, New Galilee
Samuel:
Campbell is embracing the past, which is refreshing.
Neil Rudel will respond to brief questions and comments in Gameday. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.
Rudel vs. the oddsmakers
Line: Penn State is a 24.5-point favorite.
Inside the line: Over-under is 54.5 ... Thundering Herd went 5-7 under new coach Tony Gibson last year. Gibson replaced former James Franklin aide Charles Huff, who went 32-20 in four years and is now at Memphis... Gibson is former DC at WVU ... Marshall was 7-5 vs. number and is 18-7 as road dog since 2016 ... In 14 years as head coach, Matt Campbell's teams are 33-34 vs. spot as home favorites ... Lions had streak of covering line in openers broken at four last year vs. Nevada.
Prediction: Penn State 30, Marshall 13
2025 prediction record: 10-3
2025 PSU record vs. spread: 6-7
2025 prediction record vs. spread: 7-6