The Turkey is in Da House
Another Penn State football season is nigh, and this Turkey’s enthusiasm is at an all-time low after last year’s fanless debacle. Aside from Covid fatigue, I got sick and tired of hearing from Facebook idiots that the team was sound but because there we no fans, they couldn’t display their wonderfulness and therefore, sucked as a result. ????? ???? ????
So, now it’s 2021 and we have another Covid surge, which I believe is our perennial destiny. Let us see how well we accommodate it and whether we can get back to some semblance of normalcy on the field of mortal pigskin combat. Thing is, I don’t think that will happen. Too much water under the perverbial (sic) dam or over the proverbial bridge or whatever metaphors you choose to mix. With me, anyway, the potential interest of PSU’s top-ranked 2022 recruiting class is offset by the mediocrity of 2020. That equation yields suckage and ennui as the result for 2021.
I admit it could be due to Covid fatigue. In Florida here, we’re experiencing a significant surge of the Delta variant, which is two steps backward after we thought we could take a step forward. That sucks, and it daunts the spirit. ??? ????? ????? Football doesn’t quite seem as exciting when you must be always looking over your shoulder and fearing gatherings. Yes, I’m vaccinated, and yes, I’m still worried. I’m too old and have too many risk factors to want to deal with even a muted case of the dreaded virus. ??? ???? ?? ?????
How to Assess the 2021 Nittany Lions?
Let’s start with the Coaches’ poll. In an all-time most insignificant pre-season poll, the vaunted coaches dump Dear Old State at the bottom of the Top 20, which after last year’s dismal performance is a gift based on history and reputation. These pre-season polls suck and are never right. They are a fantasy reflecting mostly last year, but as we all know, in college (semi-pro) sports, surprises are the order of the day. So, it is no shock that the usual suspects are at the top, including our Schmuckeye buddies at #4. They’re always #4 in these things.
Other Big Ten “powerhouses” got little respect. None made the Top 10 other than tOSU. Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa all landed with PSU toward the bottom of the Top 20. The coaches pulled this one straight out of their asses but take heart: Northwestern “almost” made the Top 25 with 120 votes while Mighty Michigan got only 30. Those were the only other Big Ten teams receiving votes. Hah! No respect for the Big Ten, which they would seem to regard as tOSU and the Vast Unwashed.
I am clueless. Please help me understand how this season shapes up. I think we’ll all have a clue or two by the time Auburn rolls around whether PSU has any chances at all, but the noon opener at Camp Randall should be revealing. In the meanwhile, I’ll rely on your evaluations to fuel any Turkeyesque optimism (which is an oxymoron).
Hope You’re All Well
In this Covid era, you never know. We’ve all been touched by it, and we all have suffered losses in one way or another. It is my fervent hope that all six of my loyal, dedicated readers are well and looking forward to the forthcoming quixotic season of Penn State football!
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Michael H. Geldner says
It’s comforting to know that The Turkey is protected by vaccine and remains untainted by SARS-CoV-2!
Stay healthy, Turkey!
While I look forward to the coming games, I’m concerned that viewer interest will be low. I think that the lack of interest in the Tokyo Olympics is representative of what to expect. I’m definitely not expecting an energy-charged, exciting football season. That said, I still look forward to gatherings with friends to view the games. Who knows? Maybe that, alone, will reboot the “energy” and we may wind up with a more exciting season than expected! Maybe COVID-19 will peak early and subsequently recede! Maybe there’ll soon be a bright light at the end of this long and twisted tunnel!
That would be really nice!
The Nittany Turkey says
I hope we can resume some semblance of normalcy, to coin a phrase! Covid suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks!
—TNT
Peter Zangari says
Welcome back!!!
I missed you!!!
The Nittany Turkey says
Thanks very much. It’s good to be back in the saddle!
—TNT
Peter Zangari says
Hey Nittany Turkey…
Wasn’t Indiana in that poll too?
The Nittany Turkey says
And yes, thanks for catching my egregious omission of Nativeamericaniana. (Perhaps they’ll rename the state to Guardiana).
I’ll correct my omission right now.
—TNT
psudrozz says
Hiya turk! Welcome back!!
The Nittany Turkey says
Hey, good to see you, Drozz! Hope you’re bringing us lots of good patents!
I would like to file a patent for my infallible crystal ball, but I fear that Phil Grosz has already applied.
Seriously, though, how are the Lions looking from your perspective? News is accelerating here — just saw that Will Levis won the starting job at Kentucky. I’ll say it again — the transfer portal suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks!
—TNT
psudrozz says
Unfortunately, one can apply for a patent for magical objects but it fails 35 U.S.C. 101 (we will keep your money tho).
Predictions? honestly I haven’t been following the offseason and haven’t done much research into coaching/personnel changes.
Let’s shoot from the hip and call it 8-4. If Clifford is more limited in decision-making and we trust the RBs we could get 10-2. But the trend of Franklin over the past few years is over-reliance on the QB in the offense.
Lawd help me I’m begging for paterno-ball.