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Sorting through the blue and white mailbag:
Neil:
Most of us can agree these Iowa State transfers are not Big Ten players.
However, for me Pat Kraft has to take ownership of this mess. Hiring a coach in December led to the following.
1. Unable to retain many impact players;
2. Could not build a recruiting class;
3. Not very active in the transfer portal, other than ISU players.
Last week, I thought 6-6. Now, not sure we can even produce that.
David Toltzis, Atlanta
David:
Not a good time to be Pat Kraft.
Neil:
We Are ... Lousy!
There is no joy in Mudville. Little Game Matt has struck out.
With the anchor of extreme incompetency firmly around his neck, he has plunged this team past the Dark Years to the uncharted depths of futility and beyond.
The jokes on me for believing the hype of "the experts."
10-2. yeah, right.
Bill Grebe, Schellsburg
Bill:
As a kid, I have good memories of visiting the Ship Hotel in Schellsburg.
Neil:
This feels worse than last season and worse than 2000, when they lost to Toledo.
I want to give Campbell a chance, but this could be a really bad stretch.
Randy Robeson, Jacksonville
Randy:
That was the 34th year of Joe's tenure.
Neil:
I wouldn't know where to start with this stinker, but one thing that stood out to me was the QB.
Last week, it looked like no one was ever open.
This week, it looked like guys were open a lot and he couldn't come close to hitting them.
If I'm the coach, I either start the backup next week (I would expect Becht to be booed lustily at the start of the game) or have an extremely quick hook.
Can you say fourth-tier bowl?
Ira Miller, Morton Grove, Illinois
Ira:
Interesting about the booing.
I would hope not, but this is the NIL era.
Yo, Neil:
Playing three cupcakes to start the season did nothing to help prepare the team for Big Ten play as it did not allow for an accurate assessment of the team's strengths and weaknesses.
The Wisconsin game proved that.
I see Becht as an average quarterback in the Big Ten and remember that Campbell was not Penn State's first or second choice as head coach. They just took what was still left and not much was.
So you still think 9-3? I'd say 6-6 and another Pinstripe Bowl.
Dan Sparks, South Williamsport
Yo, Dan:
It has not gone well, granted, but I'm reserving judgment.
Hey, Neil:
I've seen a few posts and people are already bashing the coach, bashing the transfers, the program etc.
They're saying the season is over, and we will never be great again.
I think these people need to take a step back and breathe a little. The sky isn't falling.
What were these "fans" expecting in his first year -- a championship? What do you say to these "fans?"
Vinnie Noviello, Williamsport
Hey, Vinnie:
You and Dan Sparks ought to get together for lunch.
Hello, Neil:
The wife and I have been season ticket holders since the early '90s, so we have experienced a few ups and downs.
I make a few observations about our latest team:
We, the fans, need to be a bit more realistic and allow the coaches and team members to adjust to Big Ten play, and some fans need to lighten up on the booing.
The players don't need it and I am positive that I witnessed a couple of them react adversely to the boos.
Alan Herbster, Huntingdon
Hello, Alan:
"A few ups and downs" since the '90s is a nice way to put it.
Rudel vs. the oddsmakers
Line: Penn State is a 1.5-point favorite.
Inside the line: Spread broke with Trojans as favorite, then quickly switched … This is crazy stat: Since 2013, USC is 3-15 straight up and just 1-16 vs. the spread while playing in East or Central time zone ... As home dog, Campbell is 12-8-1 vs. number (11-6-1 at Iowa State). He's also 30-16-1 vs. spot following loss. Over-under is 53.5. (Source: Phil Steele).
Prediction: USC 17, Penn State 14
Prediction record: 4-1
PSU record vs. spread: 2-3
Prediction record vs. spread: 1-4
Neil Rudel will respond to brief questions and comments in Gameday. You can email him at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.