Growing Frustrations

Watching the offense of the 2011 Penn State football team is almost unbearable. During the Temple game this past Saturday, I found myself so numb from the horrific offensive display that I almost gave up and tuned into the Auburn/Clemson match-up, a game I cared nothing about. The only thing that kept me, a die-hard Penn State fan, interested was the defensive effort, which was brilliant. This year's team brings back chilling memories of 2004, a year defined by a stifling defense and miserable offense. During the so-called "dark years" in the early part of this century, Penn State lacked speed and play-makers at the offensive skill positions. By most accounts, the 2011 team has much more talent on offense. Why doesn't that translate to success? I point to a trio of issues - lack of leadership, predictable play-calling, bad coaching. The leadership is missing from the quarterback position, but that is mostly due to the decision of the coaching staff to relentlessly rotate QB's. By not settling on a QB three weeks into the season, the coaches don't portray much confidence to their team. Joe looks out of touch with the game. We have yet to see Joe go to the locker room at halftime. How is the head coach not present for the crucial adjustment period of a football game? Jay has said Joe gives him notes. Okay, but as a player, I would want a guy like Florida head coach Will Muschamp in the locker room at halftime, who showed energy and fire on the sidelines Saturday. Who is in charge of calling timeouts at Penn State? It should be the head coach on the sideline. With a coach in the box and a ridiculous hierarchy of decision-making, we have found ourselves with several instances of timeout mismanagement. The play-calling is miserably predictable. Jay and Galen make no effort to catch the defense on their heels. After beating us a few years back, Iowa players reported to the media that they knew which play we were likely to run based on situation and formation. Red flags should be going off for the coaches at this point. Sigh.

I suppose that I’m just disappointed in the mediocrity that has surrounded our program in the last 10 years (sans 2005). Since 2006, Penn State has a 2-15 record against teams that finished in the top 25 with an average margin of defeat of 12 points (almost 2 touchdowns). That is shocking. With all the issues that are clear to everyone except Joe and the rest of the Penn State coaches, I’m afraid the trend will continue in 2011. Football is big business as a revenue source for the university and with a huge following at Penn State, I feel fans deserve better.