Let's skip the yearly "Penn State will lose because...

[boconnell]

27 minutes ago, Loose Headgear said:

I get it I didn't think I was going to be on trial.  But it only leads more into what I'm asking.   Which path gets us back to having a serious conversation about it again?

 

And in my defence jimmy c alone does some type of doomsday scenario on a yearly basis lol. 

I said zero people.  Whatever Jimmy C does or doesn't do has no bearing on what I said.

If you were just asking how does someone challenge PSU, you asked it in the most click-bait way possible. I'm not sure why you would do that on a message board.  If you're getting paid for clicks I'll start more threads.  

[Loose Headgear]

4 minutes ago, boconnell said:

I said zero people.  Whatever Jimmy C does or doesn't do has no bearing on what I said.

If you were just asking how does someone challenge PSU, you asked it in the most click-bait way possible. I'm not sure why you would do that on a message board.  If you're getting paid for clicks I'll start more threads.  

Well you could skip it to read the next one, and you said the same thing two others said at almost the same time, so..it works?

On a serious note if the hill you want to die on is me making a mistake my first post title then you got me man sincerely, I apologise 

But since your here, does DT take over (how long)  or could the stiebers, metcalfs, martinez  of the world combined with a couple big hires be enough to disperse the talent and not beat a different dead horse of whose taking second?

[MPhillips]

25 minutes ago, Dogbone said:

Never heard of it... Is there an excessively long thread that breaks down the pros and cons of such an exclusive serious club? 

Not for the, Poors...

[MPhillips]

1 hour ago, boconnell said:

If you're getting paid for clicks I'll start more threads.  

This is a new thing to be outraged about here.

[alex1fly]

2 hours ago, Loose Headgear said:

Deja vu, I think everyone is focused on the wrong part of what I wished to discuss. I suppose that's what I asked for lol

I didn't have any trouble knowing what your intent was. Seemed pretty clear!

 

PSU is very good at recruiting and adjustments. They won't be out of guaranteed first until they are not kings of these two items. Top recruits need to start going elsewhere because they want to start, be a part of an underdog squad, their parents don't like the toxic weirdness that PSU apparently tolerates, or any other variety of reasons. The adjustments during the season are trickier - nobody outside of PSU has control over this. They are VERY good at scouting opponents and keeping their athletes fresh. Maybe they get less good at this over time; maybe they relax and do it less; maybe their opponents start expecting the scouting and change their own match plan; who knows, really.

[Loose Headgear]

1 hour ago, alex1fly said:

I didn't have any trouble knowing what your intent was. Seemed pretty clear!

 

PSU is very good at recruiting and adjustments. They won't be out of guaranteed first until they are not kings of these two items. Top recruits need to start going elsewhere because they want to start, be a part of an underdog squad, their parents don't like the toxic weirdness that PSU apparently tolerates, or any other variety of reasons. The adjustments during the season are trickier - nobody outside of PSU has control over this. They are VERY good at scouting opponents and keeping their athletes fresh. Maybe they get less good at this over time; maybe they relax and do it less; maybe their opponents start expecting the scouting and change their own match plan; who knows, really.

Wow great points.  The aspect of the adjustments wasn't on my initial radar. There are tons of great coaches but I think after you bringing this to my attention that may be the biggest obstacle. 

 

A recent example is the adjustments made for the blaze-davino rematch at us open where blaze won.   Weeks earlier jax beat davino, and davino beat blaze.  Different style of course but that's a great point. Thanks for your input. 

[Caveira]

If psu didn’t poach Rocco Welch okst would be the clear favorite next year 

[ionel]

9 hours ago, MPhillips said:

Maybe meant OSU... 

ftfy    

Edited May 1 by ionel

[Le duke]

Penn State scores more points at 125, whatever weight Jax doesn't go between 133 and 141, 157, 165, 174, 184 197 and potentially 285 next year. 

There's also the distinct possibility that Ono kills everyone at 133 or 141, regardless of who is at the weight.

[Hammerlock3]

46 minutes ago, Le duke said:

There's also the distinct possibility that Ono kills everyone at 133 or 141, regardless of who is at the weight.

Yeah too bad cael isn't a machiavellian monster and gave Davis a shot because he likes him so much. 

[boconnell]

10 hours ago, Loose Headgear said:

Well you could skip it to read the next one, and you said the same thing two others said at almost the same time, so..it works?

On a serious note if the hill you want to die on is me making a mistake my first post title then you got me man sincerely, I apologise 

But since your here, does DT take over (how long)  or could the stiebers, metcalfs, martinez  of the world combined with a couple big hires be enough to disperse the talent and not beat a different dead horse of whose taking second?

You made a post titled "PSU will lose because" and then got played the victim when people responded to that.  

I'm not sure what your last paragraph is asking.  Are you asking if OSU will be the next power or if we will enter a period of parody?  I think the most likely thing that happens next is PSU keeps winning.  I think when that eventually comes to an end the most likely thing is that OSU wins.

Edited May 2 by boconnell

[MPhillips]

45 minutes ago, boconnell said:

I think the most likely thing that happens next is PSU keeps winning.  I think when that eventually comes to an end the most likely thing is that OSU wins.

That didn't seem so hard...

[boconnell]

6 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

That didn't seem so hard...

The difficult part was figuring out that the thread about PSU was actually about whether OSU or someone else would win.

[Loose Headgear]

8 hours ago, boconnell said:

You made a post titled "PSU will lose because" and then got played the victim when people responded to that.  

I'm not sure what your last paragraph is asking.  Are you asking if OSU will be the next power or if we will enter a period of parody?  I think the most likely thing that happens next is PSU keeps winning.  I think when that eventually comes to an end the most likely thing is that OSU wins.

The post title says "let's skip" the Penn State will lose because. Meaning let's skip the scenario that has to have them implode to lose. You simply keep reading what you want. I'm not sure what the victim thing is about, your the only person worried about how I worded things without providing any input. On top of that I apologized for my rookie mistake. 

I get some people can't be pleased no matter what.  But you act confused and still answer what I'm asking perfectly, after trying to insult me twice. If I'm rubbing you the wrong way I'm not trying to, but something tells me a lot of people rub you the wrong way 

Have a good day sir. 

 

[boconnell]

10 hours ago, Loose Headgear said:

The post title says "let's skip" the Penn State will lose because. Meaning let's skip the scenario that has to have them implode to lose. You simply keep reading what you want. I'm not sure what the victim thing is about, your the only person worried about how I worded things without providing any input. On top of that I apologized for my rookie mistake. 

I get some people can't be pleased no matter what.  But you act confused and still answer what I'm asking perfectly, after trying to insult me twice. If I'm rubbing you the wrong way I'm not trying to, but something tells me a lot of people rub you the wrong way 

Have a good day sir. 

 

Sorry for being unnecessarily combative.

[scourge165]

On 4/30/2026 at 11:18 PM, Loose Headgear said:

As a new poster, but not to the sport I'd like to hear serious opinions about this. 

The wave of David T and okie st. Can't be denied despite the ever present gap between Penn St. and the rest of college wrestling. 

But it has me thinking, is David Taylor and the Oklahoma st situation the changing of (a very future) guard when eventually cael and co. Retire/split up/stay too long?  Or is this the necessary blueprint colleges will start taking (hiring a young hungry decorated guy with a following) seeing the immediate recruiting and wrestling impact he has had. Essentially redispursing high end recruits across the board and again not knowing every year who is going to be wrestling for second. (Please wrestling gods!) 

It's a silly post I get it, and probably discussed to the point of annoyance.  But it has been every year since I can remember one team is going to "catch them" because XYZ and the second place team is still behind by 40 plus pts minimum. How long and which path does it take to unseat them consistently as a dynasty?

No. I absolutely do not think that's the case. 

I don't think Oklahoma State's recruiting success spells the end for Penn State... even in the slightest. Just as it stands, Penn State has SO much young talent.

Penn State isn't going to just go away. David Taylor HAS recruited an amazing roster, but... are we forgetting that Penn State has the 2 best True Freshmen this year(recruiting wise) until Jax Forrest decided to graduate early?
That Penn State has a really good class the year before? That they had Jayden James coming in? Lindun. They  have a couple top 10 prospects next year and they're "only" losing... who? Mesenbrink, Van Ness and Ono if he Wrestles. 

I think this is just good for the sport. I'd also add that Va Tech is bringing in new young talent and they are going to have a stacked bottom half of the lineup next year and could have... 2 NCs(Bassett and Henson at '41 and '49) and then they've got Melvin Miller, Sasso, Seidel(how the hell did I forget about Seidel). That's some blue-blue chip recruits.


What's more, I think 5 for 5 will split the talent up a little more and then probably the good teams picking up transfers. 

I would definitely NOT bet against Penn State being an ELITE program the next 5 years... even if they are beaten by Okie State in '28, '29. 

It's just going to be more fun and I think it may even mean more to Cael(I like Cael, but I call BS on the "it's just a game, it doesn't really matter, we're just having fun." Not buying that. He's competitive as hell and so is Taylor. You can't be that good at anything and have that mentality. 

[Loose Headgear]

11 hours ago, scourge165 said:

No. I absolutely do not think that's the case. 

I don't think Oklahoma State's recruiting success spells the end for Penn State... even in the slightest. Just as it stands, Penn State has SO much young talent.

Penn State isn't going to just go away. David Taylor HAS recruited an amazing roster, but... are we forgetting that Penn State has the 2 best True Freshmen this year(recruiting wise) until Jax Forrest decided to graduate early?
That Penn State has a really good class the year before? That they had Jayden James coming in? Lindun. They  have a couple top 10 prospects next year and they're "only" losing... who? Mesenbrink, Van Ness and Ono if he Wrestles. 

I think this is just good for the sport. I'd also add that Va Tech is bringing in new young talent and they are going to have a stacked bottom half of the lineup next year and could have... 2 NCs(Bassett and Henson at '41 and '49) and then they've got Melvin Miller, Sasso, Seidel(how the hell did I forget about Seidel). That's some blue-blue chip recruits.


What's more, I think 5 for 5 will split the talent up a little more and then probably the good teams picking up transfers. 

I would definitely NOT bet against Penn State being an ELITE program the next 5 years... even if they are beaten by Okie State in '28, '29. 

It's just going to be more fun and I think it may even mean more to Cael(I like Cael, but I call BS on the "it's just a game, it doesn't really matter, we're just having fun." Not buying that. He's competitive as hell and so is Taylor. You can't be that good at anything and have that mentality. 

I'll start by saying I really appreciate your response, your insight is on point.  The coaching isn't going anywhere, the recruits are fighting hand over fist to get in.  I started the thread knowing I guess in the back of my mind what the answer was, as we all do.  DT is the most immediate answer and even then it's a waiting game even for him, as Mphillips has correctly alluded to. (I'll keep my eye on VT, early signs are great and I'm a hopeless romantic for parody)   BUT!! The immediate competitor in me wanted to hear how all the  tremendous assistants lurking   around we all know and love wanted head jobs, combined with some huge hires about to be done competing got us there first, sigh. Pipe dream. 

P.s. I call b.s. on the game/fun stuff too, lots of people have fun but there's a reason they are winning Natty's and it ain't a trip to disneyland after the season. Taylors close...  

Edited May 4 by Loose Headgear

[alex1fly]

On 5/1/2026 at 1:53 PM, Loose Headgear said:

Wow great points.  The aspect of the adjustments wasn't on my initial radar. There are tons of great coaches but I think after you bringing this to my attention that may be the biggest obstacle. 

 

A recent example is the adjustments made for the blaze-davino rematch at us open where blaze won.   Weeks earlier jax beat davino, and davino beat blaze.  Different style of course but that's a great point. Thanks for your input. 

Welcome to the forum. There are a number of folks that get really focused on thread titles and timing and wording. “I’ll know what you meant but I hate how you said it so let’s talk about THAT”  is odd but such is life on the internet lol

yes PSU is great at adjustments. And they recruit athletes that will trust them on adjustments. That will continue to be a tough row for anybody. 
 

I don’t think that the “hotshot young coach” formula is needed to beat them though. Just like I don’t think that “stack recruits and redshirt everybody” is needed either. At least in terms of a replicatable result. Someone has beat them here and now at their own game. And not just one team, many teams have to beat them on the mat to slow down the NCAA point scoring machine.