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Sorting through the blue and white mailbag:
Neil:
And how about grading the head coach?
Start out the fourth quarter by wasting a timeout? Seriously? If you're not going to play aggressive football then take the penalty, but don't use a timeout.
At that point, I said to my fellow fans "I've seen this movie before, and the ending is ugly."
Grade is F.
Iowa State is not ready for Big Ten play.
Jeff Licht, Feasterville
Jeff:
Checking to see if a timeout after the quarter break (and a five-minute TV timeout) has ever been done.
Even CJF couldn't believe it.
Neil:
Honeymoon is over. Forget anything nice that I said.
Larry Eisman, Conshohocken
Larry:
When did you say anything nice?
Hi, Neil:
I think Campbell made a big mistake bringing in Becht -- a good quarterback but a senior.
I'm only an interested fan, not an expert by any stretch. But I watched both quarterbacks -- Becht and Grunkemeyer.
I think Grunk is terrific, close to Becht, but the big thing is he's a junior. Campbell brings Becht with hopes of instant success for the program and recruiting?
I think Franklin/Virginia Tech will finish higher this year in rankings than Penn State. I know the ACC is not the Big Ten.
But what's really surprising is how so many of your readers call for 10-2 or 9-3 record.
Wayne Loht, McClure
Hi, Wayne:
Grunk is actually eligible through the 2028 season.
Neil:
My thoughts for what they're worth:
Cupcake three games don't show weak areas; No pass rush from D-line -- one sack; RBs are a step slow; Three TEs on goal line obviously doesn't work; Playcalling is too conservative; Is Kobe Howard that important to the offense; 8-4 or 7-5 is realistic; They could lose the next three; Thanks for Rutgers and Maryland; As Jim Mora said, "Playoffs?"
Bob Johnston, Charlotte
Bob:
You need your own column.
Hey, Neil:
My takeaways from this week's maddening game:
From early on, Rocco looked off, as in way off. Overthrows, batted balls, you name it. It had me wondering if he was dealing with something physical or mental, but an Iowa State friend told me, "Nah, that's just Rocco, get used to it."
It makes you wonder about fit for Big Ten football. When the average conference QB is around 6-foot-3 (guys like Mendoza are 6-5) and defensive linemen are built like grizzly bears, a QB's size and vision in the pocket matter.
John Finegan, Sacramento
John:
Good point about taller quarterbacks.
How did Doug Flutie do it?
Neil:
After watching yesterday's debacle….
■ Rocco Becht is not the second coming of Trace McSorley, Sean Clifford or even Drew Allar.
■ There must be hallucinogens in the State College water supply if everyone thought that the Iowa State transfers were at the caliber of the Penn State roster, even the twos or the threes.
Steve Beigle, Columbus, Indiana
Steve:
I had to spellcheck hallucinogens, and you got it right.
Hello, Neil:
Honestly, I wish we would have hired Bob Chesney.
Earl Heiber, Ashland
Hello, Earl:
Chesney has been impressive, but it's too early to judge.
Hello, Neil:
I had the option of watching the Penn State game against Wisconsin or The Three Stooges.
I chose to tune in to the game.
But it really didn't matter whether it was Moe, Larry and Curly or Matt, Rocco and D'Anton.
Stooges abound in the Nittany Nation.
John Raymond, Marshfield, MA
Hello, John:
Shemp actually preceded Curly.
Neil Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.