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PSU Point/Counterpoint: Are college football polls still relevant?

Here’s the Twitter answer to this week’s question: OMG, no. When they first began in the 1930s, the Associated Press (writers) and United Press International (coaches) polls served a purpose and helped build interest and got people talking and debating about college football. As the sport went decades without a true playoff system, the polls were a way to sustain the status quo and crown a mythical national championship. Repeat: Mythical. Penn State, in particular, paid a price. The Nittany Lions had four undefeated teams that fell short of being voted No. 1 in the final ...

PSU Point/Counterpoint: Are college football polls still relevant?

I love rankings! Always have, always will. I remember as a kid how I couldn’t wait to go to the store to see if they had a Street & Smith magazine preseason college basketball or football rankings issue. Man, I would spend hours combing through those things, back before the internet and when you couldn’t find much information on teams all across the country. Rankings were the best — and really only — way to compare your team against other teams. So, of course, the polls were pretty much gospel back then. Some will argue that’s not the case anymore, in an age when we have ...

Giants’ recognition is touching for Benson

Brad Benson was humbled by his selection as one of the top 100 players in the rich history of the New York Giants. But when he attended the recognition festivities last weekend, which included a lavish dinner at MetLife Stadium and halftime introductions, he felt the honor was ...

Pa. elk herd represents a conservation success

During the spring of 2023, Pennsylvania’s elk herd was estimated at 1,300 to 1,400 animals, and our elk range comprises parts of Elk, McKean, Cameron, Clinton, Potter, Clearfield and Centre counties north of Interstate 80. During the early 19th century, native elk were found throughout Pennsylvania. By the 1860s, however, just a few wild elk were left in Elk and Cameron counties, with the last native Pennsylvania elk probably killed in the late 1870s. The restoration of elk in Pennsylvania to their current status represents a great conservation success story for both hunters and ...

Franklin’s non-con posture is curious

PSU kickoff Saturday: Bowling Green at Penn State, Noon Records: Both clubs are 1-0 TV: Big Ten Network The line: PSU is 34.5-point favorite By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com James Franklin’s feelings on non-conference scheduling are well known. When he’s had to go on the road early in the season for matchups at Auburn (2022) and this past Saturday in Morgantown, in each case Franklin has made it clear afterward he’s not in favor of such opponents. Even though his team has won decisively in both places. “We’ve seen it every year around the country,” he ...

Why weren’t Fleming, Carter more effective against WVU?

PSU point/counterpoint: Did anything happen in the opener that surprised you? Why weren’t Fleming, Carter more effective against WVU? By Cory Giger sports@altoonamirror.com Penn State played an excellent game in its opening win at West Virginia, but there were two glaring surprises involving two of the biggest names on the team. Transfer wide receiver Julian Fleming played much of the contest, and not only had zero catches, he wasn’t even targeted once. On the other side of the ball, Abdul Carter had a mere one tackle, three penalties and was pretty much a non factor in his ...