Black Shoe Diaries
DOMINATE THE STATE
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Big Ten Power Rankings – Week 8
The Big Ten Power Rankings for Week 8 drop a blazing tier list after a night of upsets. Ohio State and Indiana lock up Tier 1 playoff spots, with Indiana edging Michigan 13‑6 in overtime. UCLA (28‑10 over Michigan State) and Northwestern (42‑14 over Rutgers) sit in Tier 2 as hopefuls. Wisconsin (24‑7 over USC) tops Tier 3, while Minnesota, Iowa and USC round out the middle. Low‑tier bowl contenders include Illinois (21‑10 over Oregon) and Michigan (13‑6 OT loss to Indiana). The author notes the rankings are subjective and the conference’s chaos makes them feel like improv comedy.
Stock Up, Stock Down (10.27.26)
College football’s 2026 season is defined by nonstop upsets, leaving only Miami, Utah and UCLA unbeaten as traditional power‑houses tumble. Amid the chaos, Oregon State’s freshman wideout Jesse Legree shines, posting 46 catches for 1,040 yards and 14 touchdowns in seven games despite the Beavers’ drop to the revamped, non‑Power‑4 Pac‑12. Head coach JaMarcus Shephard, earning $1.6 M, faces poaching risks while the program fights for resources. Meanwhile, dwindling stadium attendance sparks concern over the sport’s in‑game experience.
CFP Bracketology: Week 8
Week 8 of the college football season erupts with four top‑11 AP teams losing, deepening the playoff scramble. Black Shoe Diaries’ bracketology now lists Miami, Georgia, Ohio State and Utah as the P4 champions, with Boise State leading the G6 race. At‑large contenders include Indiana, Notre Dame, UCLA, BYU, Kentucky, Alabama and Texas, while teams like Ole Miss and LSU hover on the outside. Notable shifts: James Madison slips in the G6 race after a loss; Kentucky climbs three spots after beating Vanderbilt; BYU’s 39‑31 defeat at UCF hurts its margin, though its win over Notre Dame remains crucial. The Big Ten sits in chaos, and Wake Forest quietly emerges as a potential at‑large.
Big Ten Superlatives: Week 8
The Big Ten week 8 roundup crowns UCLA’s 28-10 victory over Michigan State as the conference’s lone unbeaten win, while USC endures a shock 13-6 loss to Wisconsin. Northwestern’s Caleb Komolafe rushes for 150 yards in a 42-14 rout of Rutgers, earning Offensive Player of the Week, and Indiana’s Rolijah Hardy tallies nine tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in a 13-6 overtime win over Michigan. Illinois highlights Aiden Laughery’s 75-yard touchdown run, and Minnesota’s Matt Kingsbury intercepts a key pass in a 13-10 upset of Iowa. Defensive struggles dominate the weekend narrative as the league searches for more scoring power.
MMQB – Things I’d Like to See in the Back Half of the Season
Penn State leaves a 3-4 overall, 0-4 Big Ten record after a bye week, with losses to Wisconsin, Northwestern, USC and Michigan. Analyst Matt Campbell calls for three key fixes in the final five games: consistent play, a stronger run attack on both offense and defense, and decisive quarterbacking from Rocco Becht—or a bold move to replace him. With bowl eligibility hanging on three more wins, the Lions must settle their inconsistencies and dominate the trenches to halt the skid.
Ohio State Moves to No. 2
Ohio State jumps to No. 2 in both the AP and Coaches polls after a wild weekend that sees three Big Ten teams crack the top 10. Indiana sits at No. 4, UCLA at No. 7, while Northwestern, Iowa, USC and Wisconsin also remain in the rankings. The latest poll shift follows a heated USC‑Wisconsin matchup at Camp Randall, where coach Lincoln Riley argued with an official. Penn State’s next test arrives on Halloween at 4:15 p.m. against Purdue on BTN.
Penn State Opens as Favorite Over Purdue
Penn State, desperate for its first Big Ten win, opens as a 7.5‑point favorite over Purdue according to FanDuel odds. The Nittany Lions sit on a four‑game conference losing streak after defeats to Wisconsin, Northwestern, USC and Michigan, and hope to spark a turnaround after a bye week. Purdue, also 3‑4 overall but 2‑2 in league play after upsets of Illinois and Minnesota, tries to rebound from a 38‑26 loss to Washington. The matchup kicks off Saturday at 4:15 p.m. from Beaver Stadium and streams on BTN.
Penn State 3, Canisius 2 (OT): Smith Lifts Lions To Sweep
Jackson Smith scores 15 seconds into overtime to give Penn State a 3‑2 win over Canisius, completing a home‑ice sweep in their final non‑conference outing before Big Ten play. The Lions led early on a Mac Gadowsky goal, fell behind twice—David Elmy and Rhys Chiddenton each netting for the Golden Griffins—before Justin Poirier tied it late in the third. Freshman goalie Ryder Fetterolf made a key overtime save, then Poirier set up Smith’s game‑winner. Penn State finishes with 37 shots to Canisius’s 27 and heads to Minnesota for its first Big Ten series next weekend.
Oh, Hello: Penn State Lands Ohio Three-Star RB Jordan Hall
Penn State secures Ohio three‑star running back Jordan Hall, stealing him from in‑state rival Ohio State. Hall, a 5‑foot‑10, 200‑lb senior from Cincinnati’s Princeton High School, burst onto the radar after a strong senior campaign, prompting offers from Penn State, Ohio State, Missouri and Louisville. He chose the Nittany Lions, becoming the program’s second 2026 running back alongside three‑star Chukwuma “Chu Chu” Odoh. Hall boasts a 10.72‑second 100 m dash and a reputation as a shifty, breakaway runner, offering Penn State a speed threat the Buckeyes lack in this class.
Afternoon and Evening Games Open Thread
There’s still more football to be had on this relaxing Saturday afternoon, including top 20 showdowns in Austin and Salt Lake City. Come hang out with us while we watch!
Early Morning and Noon Games Open Thread
Penn State is on its bye week this week, so we don’t need to chew our fingernails to the nubs! Enjoy some stress-free football with us on this lovely fall Saturday!
Penn State 5, Canisius 1: A Breath Of Fresh Air
Penn State snaps its early-season skid with a 5-1 victory over Canisius on Oct. 23, 2026. Justin Larose opens scoring at 2:12, and rookie Andrew Kuzma nets his first two career goals after returning from open‑heart surgery. The Lions dominate possession (44 shots to 24), win 63% of faceoffs and capitalize on power‑play chances, while Jackson Smith adds a late empty‑net and transition marker. The win marks the Nittany Lions’ first of the season and a morale boost for the program.
The 7 College Football Games to Watch in Week 8
Week 8 delivers seven must‑watch college football matchups, starting with Pitt’s upset bid at top‑ranked Miami (predicted 35‑21). Auburn, fresh off its shock win over #1 Georgia, hosts LSU (LSU 27‑24). Tennessee travels to a hostile South Carolina (TN 21‑17) while Virginia Tech faces Clemson in a winner‑takes‑all showdown (VT 20‑16). Ole Miss attacks Texas in Austin (Ole Miss 27‑21) as the Longhorns stumble after a two‑game losing streak. On the FCS‑FBS fringe, New Mexico meets North Dakota State (NM 34‑28), and Houston challenges Utah in Salt Lake City (HOU 31‑27).
Penn State Hockey Series Preview: Canisius
Penn State's men's hockey team tries to halt an unprecedented 0-4 start with a two‑game home series against the Canisius Golden Griffins on Oct. 23‑24 at Pegula Ice Arena. Canisius enters the matchup 3‑2‑1, averaging three goals per game and boasting a deep, veteran roster (22.8‑year average) led by scorer Rhys Chiddenton and transfer Noah Quinn. Penn State, the younger squad (21.5‑year average), relies on a three‑goal line—Justin Poirier, Kale Dach, and Justin Larose—who already account for 67% of its scoring, while freshman goalie Jack Lisson posts a .926 save percentage. The Nittany Lions lead the all‑time series 8‑1 and aim to rebound before conference play begins.
Penn State Should Replace Villanova In “Big 5”
The article argues that Penn State should replace Villanova in Philadelphia’s historic “Big 5” basketball lineup now called the “Big 5 Classic.” After Drexel’s addition in 2023‑24 turned the six‑team event into a pod system, Villanova announced it will sit out, citing format frustrations and a conflict with Temple. The author notes that Penn State’s strong regional brand and fan base could fill Villanova’s void, even though the Nittany Lions aren’t a Philadelphia school. He suggests the move would boost interest and attendance at future Big 5 games.
BSD Mailbag 10.23.26
The latest Black Shoe Diaries Mailbag tackles Penn State football’s woes, from a losing streak and a misplaced bye week to debates over the program’s future. Fans argue whether QB Rocco Becht or former starter Rob Bolden was the worst, discuss recruiting challenges with 4‑star QB Falzone shifting to tight end, and worry about funding amid costly tickets and travel. Contributors also speculate if Penn State could slip into “next Nebraska” territory without a billionaire donor. The thread captures heated fan commentary ahead of the March 8, 2026, 165‑lb championship finals at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Fall Sports Update: Women’s Volleyball Splits In California
Penn State’s fall sports roundup shows a mixed bag of results. The women’s volleyball squad, now 13-5, fell in a five‑set thriller to UCLA before bouncing back with a 3-0 sweep of USC, highlighted by Kennedy Martin’s 10 kills and Gabrielle Nichols’ five blocks. Women’s hockey (5-3) clinched a two‑game sweep of Lindenwood, thanks to Kylie Amelkovich’s double and a shutout from Morgan Stickney. The women’s soccer team (7-3-4) eked out a 1-0 win over Rutgers, with Paige Kalal scoring the lone goal. Field hockey (10-4) extended its winning streak to seven, beating Ohio State in OT and edging Michigan 2-1. Meanwhile, men’s soccer struggles at 2-8-2, managing a 1-1 draw with Northwestern before a 5-0 loss to Rutgers. Upcoming matchups include the Dig Pink volleyball game vs. Oregon and key conference games across all sports.
Penn State Commits in Action: 2028 QB Shines
Penn State’s recruiting woes deepen as three-star QB Will Wood flips to Boston College, leaving a void in the 2027 class. However, freshman prospect James Armstrong shines in his junior year at Hopewell, posting 243 passing yards, four touchdowns and 80 rushing yards in a 60‑0 win, cementing his status as a potential 2028 Nittany Lions quarterback. The piece also highlights other top recruits: New Jersey RB Chukwuma Odoh’s 228‑yard, three‑score performance for Paramus Catholic, and four‑star cornerback Kei’Shjuan Telfair’s three‑TD game for Euclid, both drawing Penn State interest. The article blends on‑field highlights with recruiting updates, showing both setbacks and promising talent for the Lions.
Big Ten Preview: Week 8
Big Ten action spikes on Saturday, Oct. 22, as Indiana heads to Ann Arbor to face No. 6 Michigan (21‑18 win highlighted by Tommy Carr’s TD). The Hoosiers (6‑1, 3‑1) try to bounce back from their first loss in over two years, while Michigan’s defense aims to contain freshman QB Josh Hoover. Other key matchups include No. 25 Northwestern vs. Rutgers, Oregon at Illinois, No. 9 UCLA vs. Michigan State, and No. 15 Iowa at Minnesota, each with notable betting lines and playoff implications. The evening caps with No. 16 USC traveling to Wisconsin. Fans can gauge which games offer the best watch value based on team form and stakes.
Penn State Hockey Is Losing Its Edge
Penn State men’s hockey opens the 2026-27 season with a historic 0-4 start, the only other winless launch occurring in the COVID‑hit 2020-21 campaign. Despite boasting its most talented rosters on paper in recent years, the Nittany Lions now lack cohesion, defensive reliability, and depth scoring, while leading the nation with over 18 penalty minutes per game last season. Coach Guy Gadowsky acknowledges a troubling sense of arrogance and preparation lapses. The article compares the current disjointed, undisciplined play to the more unified, low‑penalty teams of 2016‑2025, warning that unless the program regains its former collective identity, the early struggles could foreshadow a disappointing season.
Bowl Projections 2026: Week 7
In Week 7 of the Bowl Projections 2026 series, Black Shoe Diaries outlines the latest bowl and CFP forecasts for Penn State after each game. Yahoo Sports/Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports both slot Penn State into the December 26 Mayo Bowl in Charlotte against the North Carolina Tar Heels. ESPN’s Bonagura/Schlabach lists a Mayo Bowl opportunity but leaves the opponent undefined, while Athlon Sports predicts a Cactus Bowl matchup with Kansas State in Tempe. The consensus among contributors suggests Penn State may miss a bowl berth altogether.
Midweek Musings – QB Concerns
In his October 21 blog, Black Shoe Diaries’ writer critiques Penn State’s quarterback dilemma after four straight losses. He argues that starter Rocco Becht’s inconsistent play leaves head coach Matt Campbell with limited options: backup Alex Manske, still recovering from open‑heart surgery, or redshirt senior Connor Barry, a Division III transfer. Citing Utah’s coach Kyle Wittingham benching Bryce Underwood to spark a win, the author urges Campbell to at least give the backups a look as the Nittany Lions chase bowl eligibility. He warns that without a quarterback upgrade, Penn State may need to spend heavily in the off‑season to avoid a prolonged slump.
Robert Morris 5, Penn State 2: Speechless
Penn State’s hockey woes deepen as the Nittany Lions fall 5-2 to Robert Morris, slipping to a 0-4 start for only the second time in program history. Patrick Johnson scores 20 seconds in, and George Krotiris adds two power‑play goals, giving the Colonials a 3‑0 lead by intermission. Penn State musters two late goals from Justin Poirier, but a third‑period tally by Krotiris seals the upset. The loss highlights Penn State’s discipline lapses, four penalties in the first period, and shaky goaltending from Ryder Fetterolf, prompting criticism of the team’s preparation and coaching.
Penn State Hockey Preview: Robert Morris
Penn State looks to halt its 0-3 slide on Tuesday, Oct. 20, when it hosts the struggling Robert Morris Colonials at Pegula Ice Arena. The Colonials sit 0-4, have scored just five goals and rank near the bottom in power‑play (9.1%) and penalty‑kill (68.4%) efficiency. Penn State, despite defensive lapses, boasts a talent edge and a favorable home‑ice record (8‑4 all‑time vs. RMU, six straight wins). A projected 5‑3 win could spark a turnaround.
This Week In Happy Valley: Football Blues
On October 17, 2026, the Michigan Wolverines edged Penn State 21-18 at Michigan Stadium, highlighted by Tommy Carr’s second‑half touchdown run that slipped past defenders Dallas Vakalahi and Alexander McPherson. A surprise quarterback switch by Michigan stumped the Nittany Lions’ defense, sparking talk of a possible QB overhaul for Penn State. The post also notes broader Penn State athletic woes—including a $250 million budget with limited ROI, wrestling’s role in salvaging a tough season, and cheaper Purdue game tickets than some parking spots—adding context to the football showdown.
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