Just glad that Hackenberg is gone from Penn State. Watched some of the Jets-Eagles preseason game, and he's still just as inaccurate as ever. The new guy isn't the second coming of Kerry Collins, but at least he's got good mobility and some touch on his passes.
It's just tough to think about how the Lions are going to be able to compete, with Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State in their own division every single year.
I watched that Jets game. The Jets backup OL was destroyed by the Eagles. Hack had no time to throw. It was like watching him play at Penn State.
It's a shame that Hack had to be wasted running for his life behind a decimated OL while at PSU. Now PSU has more depth on the OL and a scheme that helps protect the QB.
Penn State would have scored 50 on Kent with Hack. McSorley doesn't have an arm. He had like 4 or 5 deep shots that were open and they were all underthrown jump balls. Hack would have connected on at least 2 or 3 of them. I'm concerned that defenses will adjust and clamp down on the short throws and dare him to throw deep. If all he can manage are flutter balls, then it could be a long year.
I thought the backup Stevens looked better in the blue white game. McSorley has heart and seems to be a good leader but Stevens is bigger, faster and has the better arm.
Lots of PSU fans thought Franklin gave Stevens so many reps and waited to name McSorley as starter just because they were worried about Stevens transferring, but i think it's because they know Stevens has a higher ceiling and they were hoping he could surpass McSorley.
Maybe McSorley had first game jitters and that led to the underthrown balls, but if his arm is that weak, it's going to be a problem against good defenses.
As for the future, i don't know how closely you follow recruiting but PSU has had some very good classes under Franklin. Their fresh and soph are very talented but inexperienced. He already has a very strong class going for 2017 and a few already committed to 2018. I expect they will surpass Mich State soon and then be on more equal talent footing with Ohio State and Michigan in a few years. It will still be tough though. The Big 10 was stupid for putting all those teams in the same division.
The question is how long will Urban and Harbaugh stay? Both have a history of burning out and moving on after a few years.
