Chris “Mad Dog” Russo blasted Penn State for being ranked No. 2 in the country, per the preseason AP Poll Top 25. He acknowledged the talent and the schedule for Penn State this year, but was baffled about how high they were. He conceded Ohio State and Oregon, at least for teams in the Big […]
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo blasted Penn State for being ranked No. 2 in the country, per the preseason AP Poll Top 25. He acknowledged the talent and the schedule for Penn State this year, but was baffled about how high they were.
He conceded Ohio State and Oregon, at least for teams in the Big Ten, that deserted to be high up. But Russo couldn’t get past the James Franklin tidbit.
He cited lack of big wins in his career, especially against teams like Ohio State and last year’s CFP semifinals vs. Notre Dame. It remains to be seen who will be proven wrong, but Russo was furious.
“How is Penn State ranked No. 2 preseason … No. 2 in the country,” Russo said on First Take. “Yes, I know their schedule is not that difficult, at Ohio State, Oregon, at UCLA, at Iowa, not a big deal, but he never wins a big game … I don’t care about SMU, that’s not a big game. The quarterback I do not like in a big spot. He was terrible down the stretch against the Irish and Franklin, what is he 0-10 against the Buckeyes? He never beats them and Michigan, and he has to play in Columbus this year.
“How does Penn State with their history under Franklin in big spots, I know their schedule is easy, but this is stupid. Second in the country? We start the year second? Penn State? I don’t care about who they brought back. I don’t care about their defense. I know Nevada, Villanova are easy early. I get all that. They are not the second best team in college football here on August 13. You know why? History, they never, ever, EVER respond. And that has to go into the equation when you’re doing these rankings. That is a joke.”
Russo was just the latest to not buy into Franklin and Penn State, at least when it comes to competing for a national title. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum was a noted critic of the Nittany Lions being ranked No. 2 to start the year.
“Going back to [Heather Dinich’s] point about Penn State,” Paul Finebaum said. “I’ve heard the same thing about Penn State a number of times. I realize this is the best team on paper, but James Franklin is still the coach.”
Penn State opens the season on August 30th at home. The Nittany Lions will welcome Nevada for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff.
Category: General Sports
