That’s two in a row, folks.

Penn State football kept its bowl eligibility alive against Nebraska on Saturday, defeating the Cornhuskers 37-10 in the final home game of the season.

The Nittany Lions are rolling in the final stretch of the season, keeping their hopes of salvaging a bowl game alive.

Despite its newfound success, there were some hot takes on social media surrounding the squad and its uncertain future.

Terry Smith Hasn’t Earned The Head Coaching Position

Oscar Orellana: There is literally no quantifiable way to assess this other than having a full season of recruiting (as head coach), preparation, and actually coaching the games. Will he ever get that opportunity? Only time will tell.

So far, though, he hasn’t earned it. Gaining bowl eligibility isn’t enough, either. I think he has to win the game against a quality opponent to really showcase that he can do the coaching aspect of the job. We’ll cross that bridge IF the Nittany Lions get there.

Collin Ward: He has not earned it yet, but he is very close. If Smith can win on Saturday against Rutgers and bring Penn State to a bowl game after starting the season 3-6, I think he has a future as a head coach.

A lot of the haters are quick to mention he is 2-3 right now, but I think that is unfair. He took over Penn State in a very difficult time emotionally, and has shown improvement every game. If this exponential growth continues, he could be the answer for the Nittany Lions.

Cooper Cazares: He hasn’t earned it yet, but he’s for sure more in the conversation than he once was. There is some serious exponential growth happening within the program. Beating a 7-3 Nebraska team the way Penn State did on Saturday felt like the most complete game the Nittany Lions have played since last year’s College Football Playoff run. If there isn’t an obvious choice available for Pat Kraft, Smith would be an easy experiment to try.

The Offensive Line Is Just Now Living Up To The Hype

Oscar Orellana: Penn State’s offensive line was projected to be one of the best in the country this season. Kaytron Allen’s production is explicitly linked with the unit’s performance.

Allen’s lack of carries through the first six games of the season sort of masked the offensive line’s play. It was adequate, but Allen’s explosive play really blossomed from Terry Smith’s trust in him and the increased carries he received as a result of that.

The offense line is obviously great, but it should have looked like this from the beginning of the season. But yes, the big boys are living up to the hype.

Collin Ward: I think it is unfair to say this after playing Nebraska. The Cornhuskers have struggled against everyone on the defensive line this season. While Penn State played great, they will have to continue to prove they have gotten better in my mind.

Anyways, it’s too little too late to get recognized for how they might be.

Cooper Cazares: Penn State’s running game has been explosive these past few weeks. The offensive line has been wearing down on the opposition, allowing for long plays to happen later in the game. Is the group living up to the expectations placed on it? Probably not yet, but the product has been significantly better than earlier in the season.

Chaz Coleman Is Sitting Out So He Can Transfer

Oscar Orellana: Terry Smith said he was sick like three weeks ago. Then he was day-to-day. It doesn’t make sense. All of this coincidentally happened after the Ohio State game. It just looks and feels fishy. He’s probably gone.

Collin Ward: At first, I genuinely thought he was just hurt. But if someone is day-to-day for three weeks, I start asking questions.

The only thing that wouldn’t make sense is why you would sit out even if you knew you were going to another school. As a freshman, put as much as you possibly can on tape to drive up that NIL deal. Make the Buckeyes give you an unrefusable offer, cause he’s worth it.

Cooper Cazares: Maybe the rumors of Coleman going to Ohio State next season weren’t totally BS. I won’t say that’s why he’s not playing, as you never know what degree the injuries players are dealing with, but it seems like Coleman’s been just missing the cut for three weeks now.

Penn State Is Regretting Letting Go Of James Franklin

Oscar Orellana: Definitely not. Things are different now. The team is rolling. While the coaching search has been quiet, that means things are moving behind the scenes. Pat Kraft would have never fired Franklin if he didn’t genuinely and wholeheartedly think that Penn State could upgrade. The move happened. Penn State can’t afford to even think about regretting it.

Collin Ward: People saying this are just caught in the coaching search. This is what happens every time someone who has performed is fired. There is no reason to judge the Franklin firing until years from now, when we can confidently say if Penn State is in a better or worse place.

Cooper Cazares: You seriously can’t make this call for another couple of years. Franklin hasn’t coached a game yet, and Penn State hasn’t named his successor as the head man going forward. It could be the best decision Kraft’s ever made or the worst, but Penn State won’t be regretting anything for another couple of years.

Penn State Will Lose To Rutgers

Oscar Orellana: What even is a Scarlet Knight?

Collin Ward: R U kidding me? Rutgers stinks.

As long as the defense plays well, the Scarlet Knights defense couldn’t stop a beach ball from going into a basketball hoop.

Cooper Cazares: If the Nittany Lions play anywhere close to how Saturday went, Rutgers doesn’t stand a chance.

Posts from the all-student staff of Onward State.