2017 Preliminary Projected S&P+ Rankings

that was their most impressive of the year. OSU was, of course, easily the best collection of talent they beat. But they did that, as we all witnessed, as staying close enough, even though, and I'm guessing here, that OSU probably had a statistical edge in most of the usual categories. Then, BOOM, the type of play you need to finish your upset bid happenedand suddenly PSU, and as it turned out, earned the right to be considered a dangerous team. 

It was the WI game though that proved more than any other game. The importance of that game, and what it could have done to both teams from a national persepctive was obvious. WI, by virtue of playing their best half of toofball all season, took a lead that caused me and most of my friends watching to come to the same conclusion at halftime. That was, of course, the PSU's streak had come to an end because that game, except finishing out that last 30 minutes was over. And what happened in those thirty minutes was the most important half of football Franklin has coached at PSU. The manner in which they came back, and based on WI's defensive prowess alone, should have been enough to easily protect a lead of that magnitude. But what PSU did was for more impressive that staying close enough to OSU to allow for a ST's blunder to give them their biggest victory in their new era of football. Then facing the only other team that was constantly discussed as being a completely different team that the one that started the year was USC, diplaying what to me, was a level of play equal to any other qb in the nation, including Watson's, because Sam's was done every weekend, without an outing that was clearly below the level he had been displaying. And as OP stated, when the trigger man is playing at an extremely high level, your chances for victory rise dramatically. I know I am making an analogy that is quite strong here, but Darnold's play at the collegiate level was close to that of Rodgers on the pro level. Sensing and avoiding the pressure he felt, he almost always allowed himself to manipulate the rush in a manner that allowed him to be in the absolute best position to throw the ball without being forced to throw it in a manner other than maximum power. That is one hell of a skill. Avoiding pressure is a great asset, but to do it, as if you are setting them up, always ending is a position to not be forced to throw in anytling less than your absolute maximum throwing motion is an ASSET+. And, of course, while a qb is scrambling. the defense will break down due to nothing more than the running theat an athlelic qb causes, almost always allows an eligible receiver to end up being virtually uncovered. 

So hell yes, even a loss to a team, based on Arnold's emergence to complement a roster dotted with stars was impressive. I am not sure about Peters,but I know Harbaugh is aware  of Dylan's athleticism, something he possessed as well,allows him to escape trouble in a manner most qbs can't. If he is able to, after avoiding such, finish it off it the same manner as Sam, we're in for some very exciting times. Being human, I despise PSU for the same reason many others do. Even though we are talking about an entirely different sfaff, players, etc., the ease with whch that fan base has sidestepped the questions, basically statements that paint them in the light they deserve does not set well with me. But on a purely football note, PSU is going to step into the role as 3rd best team in the east. I don't know McSorley's eligibility status, whether he has 2 or even 3 years left, but with the RB they are bringing in, they won't miss a beat with the departure of Barkley when that occurs. They will be dangerous. 

In that scenario I believe we would have won the East because we would have had the tiebreaker in the three way tie between us PSU and ohio.