Penn State running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs against Nebraska during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Sorting through the blue and white mailbag while grateful (in case there’s no bowl) for another year of your letters:

Neil:

With the steady stream of committed recruits now decommitting accelerated by the hiring of James Franklin at Virginia Tech, is Pat Kraft boxed in to hiring a current coach who can bring with him a roster of players?

Is this a quagmire that rules out the hiring of someone from the NFL or a highly respected offensive or defensive coordinator?

Greg Guise

Ferguson Township

Greg:

Quagmire … that’s a good description.

I’m guessing Kraft can swim.

Hello, Neil:

Well, well, well. That’s how the Nittany Lions have played the last two games. Very, very well.

I don’t know what impressed me most against Nebraska — the playcalling, the excellent execution on both sides of the ball, or the honest, heartfelt joy so evident on the faces of a team which has shown great resilience this year.

Hire Terry Smith.

John Raymond

Marshfield, Mass.

Hello, John:

It shouldn’t have taken a firing to start calling the right plays.

Neil:

Well, Terry Smith has put the Penn State decision makers in a difficult position, possibly.

We have heard all the noise about finding a home-run hire to replace Franklin.

Personally, I don’t see a home-run candidate among all the other names that have been brought up.

Maybe it’s time we recognize the obvious choice that walks through the door every day and has turned what was destined to be a disaster into a positive almost overnight.

Of course, that’s Terry Smith.

No matter who is installed, there will be transfers in and out so why not make the move that will keep as much stability in the program as possible?

John Pifer

Middlebury Center

John:

Michigan State helped stop the bleeding.

Hello, Neil:

Regarding your Nov. 13 point-counterpoint, I like your idea to let the players decide on a bowl game.

Except for the ones destined for or considering the 2026 NFL draft (to be held in Pittsburgh) my guess is that the rest of the players that saw some time and others biding their time will elect for one more opportunity.

Phil Meehan

Erie

Hello, Phil:

It’s kind of ironic that in a year where a home-run hire was sought, the Lions may end up in Yankee Stadium at the Pinstripe Bowl.

Dear Neil:

I just read your response in the mailbag last week about the players dancing after routine plays.

Hooray for you. Maybe you should be the next head coach. Or assistant in charge of not letting players make an ass of themselves.

I’ve pretty much stopped watching the NFL because of that stuff.

Paul Puskar

Hollidaysburg

Dear Paul:

How much would that job pay and can I do it remotely?

Neil:

I am still hoping they hire Bob Chesney.

They could structure his contract with incentives to give him $10 million if excels yet keep him with a lower salary.

I believe he would love the job.

With the AD’s job on the line, it is unlikely, but I can hope.

Earl Heiber

Ashland

Earl:

Holy Cross in 2023 to Penn State in 2026?

Hey, Neil:

Wow, what a topsy turvy season it’s been. I do hope that our future coach is someone who will do a “little less talk and a lot more action,” as the late Toby Keith used to sing.

I do have one request of you, Neil. Please no more predictions of undefeated seasons!

Michael A. Farabaugh

Hollidaysburg

Hey, Michael:

It’s all my fault.

Rudel vs. the oddsmakers

Line: Penn State is a 12.5-point favorite.

Inside the line: Under Terry Smith, Nits are 4-1 vs. spot and have covered three straight … Lions have won 10 straight against Rutgers but are just 6-4 vs. spot in those games … Over-under is 55.5 … Nits have hit over in four of their last five games, five of their last six on the road and 10 of their last 12 Big Ten games … However, under has hit in nine of Lions’ last 10 games with Knights. (Source: Odds Shark).

Prediction: Penn State 33, Rutgers 19

Prediction record: 8-3

PSU record vs. spread: 5-6

Prediction record vs. spread: 6-5

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.