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One random thought heading into tonight's game
DerekJohnson
Administrator, Swaye's Wigwam Posts: 64,136 
If DeBoer was coach our players would be heading into it believing they have a shot. I think our run defense under Inge and the other guy would have collapsed and we would still probably lose. (With the 2024 roster). But it would be competitive.
But with Fisch, I'm not sure our guys will be going in there really believing. Obviously I hope I'm wrong.
Comments
Tough to say how the season would have unfolded with DeBoer as coach (better offense with Kalepo, Brailsford, Buelow, Bernard, and Cuevas staying but probably a worse D).
But with so much turnover due to the late coaching change, this squad seems to be gelling. Despite Rogers throwing a pick 6 on Indiana's side of the field, UW still played them pretty well on the road. Against USC, the D was even better and the OL took another step forward (Tafai stepping up at LT, Hatchett getting to 100%, and Memelaar splitting time with Vihoki now).
I guess what I'm trying to say is that, even though this team isn't a conference title contender, they have been improving and particularly on the OL and a little bit on special teams. If I was on the team with Jonah Coleman and Carson Bruener on my side, I'd think we definitely had a shot if we play our A game.
Of course the key will be to play well at the beginning of the game to take the wind out of the crowd's sails some. Don't let Penn State run the football with ease and move the ball enough on offense to keep it close enough going into the 4th quarter.
Penix bailed Deboer out in most close games
How soon you've forgotten the "we're built for this" mentality DeBoer established. How soon you've forgotten a teary eyed Rome Odunze awarding DeBoer a game ball in a raucous locker room for uniting a team that had been fractured.
I'm not sure I see a contradiction here
It's one thing to believe you will win. I think most teams and athletes and coaches can convince themselves of that. It's another to have the horses. DeBoer had the horses, and notably Penix, who by all accounts was a killer. "We" don't have that this year, correct.
JFC