The Obligatory PSU Podcast

Penn State wrapped up another 10-2 regular season that was, yes, in some respects a failure - a failure to achieve the lofty goals that were set justifiably high at the season's outset - but also represents a rarified outcome among all Power 5 programs. The guys look back on the how the 2023 campaign ended and discuss the future for the Nittany Lions and all of college football as we head into Championship weekend. HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

What more can you say? We try to come up with something. The guys wrap up the Michigan win over Penn State that slammed on the door on the Nittany Lions' hopes for making the four-team playoff before the format is retired at the end of this season. Could fan favorite Joe Moorhead return to Happy Valley? Will Penn State be in the market for a new defensive coordinator as well? Can Rutger give the Lions a scare on Saturday. We're closing the book on the Wolverines (and 2023, really) and starting to look ahead. What else can you do? HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

For the second time in four weeks, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are facing one of the biggest games in recent program history. This time, they will play in the welcoming environs of Beaver Stadium and carry the hopes, not just of Nittany Nation, but the entire nation, with them. Can Penn State - America's Team for this one week - play the scrappy underdog hero to Michigan's 80's teen movie villain? Or will we add another entry to the list of disappointing losses against top competition? The guys know their answer and can't wait for the ridicule if they're wrong. HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

Penn State narrowly escapes what would have been a devastating loss to a terrible Indiana Hoosiers team and instead travels to College Park to face nose-diving Maryland with a hint of momentum from Drew Allar's game-winning deep strike. Will this faint hope prove to be merely a mirage, or did Allar's first interception unlock something crucial in his development as a quarterback? The guys review the near-debacle versus Indiana and touch on the week's biggest college football stories - the first playoff rankings of the season and the ongoing drama around Michigan and Connor Stalions. HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

Another meeting of top tens for the Nittany Lions. Another matchup with the Buckeyes. Another trip to the Horseshoe. And yet another predictably miserable result. For nine months, we built this team up as the one that was capable of breaking the cycle and finally putting Penn State into the four-team playoff field in its final year. When the moment of truth arrived, nothing was different. The guys continue working through their emotions in the wake of Penn State's devastating 20-12 loss at Ohio State and then look to the perilous path ahead. HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

A fair reading of James Franklin's decade-long tenure at Penn State is that the entire thing has led up to this Saturday's game in Columbus, a meeting of undefeated national powers pitting the #7 Nittany Lions against the #3 Buckeyes. Penn State's roster has never been deeper. The teams have never been more evenly matched. The stakes has never been higher, and victory could vault the program to levels of prestige and respect not seen in Happy Valley since before Franklin arrived on campus. Can the Lions pull it off? What happens if they don't? Or if they do? This is what it's all about. Join us as we all try to kill the hours until kickoff. #WeAre HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

Penn State made the rounds of all the national college football news outlets this week and even managed to rile up the famously even-tempered denizens of Twitter, all without even playing a game on Saturday. With the #6 Nittany Lions coming off a Bye and UMass up next on Homecoming, the week's big news came from James Franklin's Tuesday press conference. The guys take advantage of the calm before the Ohio State storm to sound off on what everyone else is talking about: Franklin's exchange with Cory Giger over digging the long ball and his comments on scheduling that Michigan fans baselessly twisted into a perceived insult. Check out Coach's comments to the press if you haven't seen or heard them, and then enjoy the gang inexplicably stretching them into nearly an hour's worth of discussion. James Franklin's Tuesday Press Conference: https://youtu.be/FG6o9_YBIFI?si=PFYyWZ9KDwLoD1vt Wednesday Post-Practice Media Scrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-rJdDXMgw4&t=273s HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

Your Penn State Nittany Lions roll into the Bye week 5-0 and ranked #6 in the nation, featuring a dominant defense and an offense that, despite averaging over 40 points per game, plays with maddening inconsistency. Kevin checks in with a report on the crypt-like silence of Ryan Field and the strong contingent of traveling Penn State fans, and all the guys weigh in on takeaways from another 30+ points and cover versus the Wildcats. From there, conversation ranges from the current state of college football to this infamous post-game exchange between JoePa and Doug Graber: https://youtu.be/0eV4No5wvHY?si=UawXf4rPkneI9lnP Enjoy the podcast, and enjoy the Bye Week. #WeAre HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

One, on its own, is an isolated incident. Two in a row is the start of a streak. So this podcast is going streaking. The guys are back this week to revel in the misfortune of the Iowa Hawkeyes, heap praise on the White Out crowd, and look ahead to Penn State's trip to Evanston for a sleepy 11am local kickoff against the Northwestern Wildcats. Come for the schadenfreude; stay for the Utz potato chips. HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

A few minor issues. A couple of miscues. Several handfuls of chocolate chips, and all the Utz chips you can eat for the next 32 years. The full cast reassembles to start playing themselves into game shape with #24 Iowa coming to Happy Valley to face off against #7 Penn State in the White Out. In this, the era of retreads, reboots, and canceled TV shows coming back for a second (or third) bite of the apple, who says Obligatory can't emerge from the shadows of total obscurity and reclaim its rightful station in relative obscurity? It's our first time back in the saddle after a long sabbatical, so be gentle. If it doesn't get worse from here on out, odds are it may actually get better. #WeAre HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, or brain-eating zombies rising from the dead, or Notre Dame football underperforming unearned lofty expectations - the Obligatory podcast is back, and with it, perhaps a whiff of increased normalcy in our college football lives. After surviving a close call against Purdue in their now-traditional road conference opener and delivering a routine September ass-kicking to the MACrificial lamb Ohio Bobcats (exacting revenge for spoiling Gerald Hodges' 2012 debut at punt returner), Penn State looks ahead to an inflection point on its 2022 schedule, a road trip to SEC country to face the Auburn Tigers. Will the stifling Alabama heat (well, the humidity, really), absurd travel arrangements, and the second of numerous [color]-Outs awaiting on this year's slate prove sufficient to stymie the now 22nd-ranked Nittany Lions? Brandon and Kevin resuscitate our long-dormant pod to discuss. #BeatAuburn HOSTED BY: Brandon Noble, Kevin Horne

The format wasn't exactly a game, but if you traveled to Happy Valley or tuned to the Big Ten Network for exciting football action, your cause was already long since lost. Town and campus once again buzzed with the energy of excited students (many near the end of their Penn State journey) and returning alumni and fans; grills were fired up, and beer was drunk; the Sun did indeed come out (eventually), and perhaps we ever learned a useful thing or two about the 2022 Nittany Lions. Jim and Chris offer their takeaways, on and off the field, from the first normal Blue-White Weekend in some time. FEATURING: Chris Buchignani, Jim Galanti You can hear the Keystone Kickoff Show three times a week on the airwaves across Pennsylvania - go to KeystoneSportsNetwork.com for a list of radio stations and more - or listen whenever you want by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform. But your best bet is to download the Keystone Sports App, available in the App Store and Google Play.

The first "normal" Blue-White Weekend in nearly three years is nearly upon us, so Chris and Jim ruminate on the appeal of the overall event weekend, the scrimmage itself, and whatever possible nuggets of intel fans might expect to glean from this glorified practice that mostly offers a convenient excuse for a return trip home to Happy Valley. Will Penn State fans learn anything useful about the 2022 Nittany Lions? Doubtful. But with a promising forecast and the first chance to enjoy a conventional Spring Game since before the pandemic, it's equally doubtful that it will matter to the legions of fans who'll flock back to campus, many of whom will even make it inside Beaver Stadium to watch some fake football. FEATURING: Chris Buchignani, Jim Galanti You can hear the Keystone Kickoff Show three times a week on the airwaves across Pennsylvania - go to KeystoneSportsNetwork.com for a list of radio stations and more - or listen whenever you want by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform. But your best bet is to download the Keystone Sports App, available in the App Store and Google Play.

Every sports fan forms lasting connections with certain players on their favorite teams, whether because of skill, toughness, personality, or all three. Sometimes it's an unforgettable performance in a crucial moment, others we simply gravitate toward a certain player for reasons even we don't understand. When it comes to standout performers worth remembering, Penn State football fans have been blessed with an embarrassment of riches. Crack open some beers and get a long-time fan going on their favorite Lions to don the Blue and White, and you might be entertained for hours. As KSN's Keystone Kickoff show looks back over Penn State football throughout the decades, Jim asked Chris to follow up last week's list of favorite games with reflections on some of his favorite players. In this episode, they discuss 10 Nittany Lions he's had the opportunity to see play in person and who's contributions to Penn State football left a lasting impression. FEATURING: Chris Buchignani, Jim Galanti You can hear the Keystone Kickoff Show three times a week on the airwaves across Pennsylvania - go to KeystoneSportsNetwork.com for a list of radio stations and more - or listen whenever you want by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform. But your best bet is to download the Keystone Sports App, available in the App Store and Google Play.

What is your favorite memory of Penn State football? Practically every fan of the Nittany Lions has at least one play, moment, or game from which they can recall almost every detail - what happened, and where they were, how they felt, and who was with them, when it did. As KSN's Keystone Kickoff show looks back over Penn State football throughout the decades, Jim asked Chris for some of his own favorite recollections from the program's past. In this episode, they discuss his personal top 10 of Penn State moments he's witnessed live over more than a quarter-century of attending games at Beaver Stadium. FEATURING: Chris Buchignani, Jim Galanti You can hear the Keystone Kickoff Show three times a week on the airwaves across Pennsylvania - go to KeystoneSportsNetwork.com for a list of radio stations and more - or listen whenever you want by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform. But your best bet is to download the Keystone Sports App, available in the App Store and Google Play.

Astronomical payouts to star recruits, entire position groups, and even full recruiting classes have headlined the first year of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) monetization in college sports. Penn State hasn't managed any splashy numbers, and perhaps a pair of recently-announced NIL collectives can help change that. Are the Nittany Lions poised to catch up, or are they already hopelessly behind? Chris and Jim give their thoughts and chart a possible course for PSU's survival in the new Wild West of intercollegiate competition. FEATURING: Chris Buchignani, Jim Galanti You can hear the Keystone Kickoff Show three times a week on the airwaves across Pennsylvania - go to KeystoneSportsNetwork.com for a list of radio stations and more - or listen whenever you want by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform. But your best bet is to download the Keystone Sports App, available in the App Store and Google Play.

With Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Sandy Barbour announcing her retirement plans, the search is on for the next person to lead State's athletics programs at a crucial juncture in the evolution of college sports. Jim and Chris discuss Barbour's legacy at PSU along with what qualities they'd want in the next athletic director and potential candidates for the job. FEATURING: Chris Buchignani, Jim Galanti You can hear the Keystone Kickoff Show three times a week on the airwaves across Pennsylvania - go to KeystoneSportsNetwork.com for a list of radio stations and more - or listen whenever you want by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform. But your best bet is to download the Keystone Sports App, available in the App Store and Google Play.

In a very short time, the transfer portal has become the talk of the college football world, with the sport's de facto free agent market emerging as a key element in modern roster-building. Now that the dust has settled on the first normal season shaped by the wide-open transfer market, Jim and Chris assess the landscape and discuss which programs are having the most success in the portal and whether Penn State has been a winner or loser so far. Remember to subscribe to the Keystone Kickoff podcast (see below) to get next week's installment of The Obligatory Keystone Crossover. FEATURING: Chris Buchignani, Jim Galanti You can hear the Keystone Kickoff Show three times a week on the airwaves across Pennsylvania - go to KeystoneSportsNetwork.com for a list of radio stations and more - or listen whenever you want by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform. But your best bet is to download the Keystone Sports App, available in the App Store and Google Play.

While starting quarterback Sean Clifford's decision to return and play one final season for the Nittany Lions may have divided Penn State's online fan base, KSN's Jim Galanti harbors no reservations about the value of Clifford's comeback choice. Jim and Chris break down the reasons they're glad Clifford will again don the Blue and White for the 2022 season. Remember to subscribe to the Keystone Kickoff podcast (see below) to get next week's installment of The Obligatory Keystone Crossover. FEATURING: Chris Buchignani, Jim Galanti You can hear the Keystone Kickoff Show three times a week on the airwaves across Pennsylvania - go to KeystoneSportsNetwork.com for a list of radio stations and more - or listen whenever you want by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform. But your best bet is to download the Keystone Sports App, available in the App Store and Google Play.

All over the college football landscape, loyalties and fortunes (in every sense of the word) are shifting at breakneck speed as head coaches are making bigger moves for bigger money than ever before. With James Franklin locked up and Penn State focused on replacing any assistants swept up in the chaos, Jim and Chris survey the carnage and pass snap judgement on the winners and losers. Remember to subscribe to the Keystone Kickoff podcast (see below) to continue getting every weekly installment of The Obligatory Keystone Crossover. FEATURING: Chris Buchignani, Jim Galanti We’re excited to be partnering with the team at Keystone Sports, more folks who love the Nittany Lions like we do. You can hear the Keystone Kickoff Show three times a week on the airwaves across Pennsylvania - go to KeystoneSportsNetwork.com for a list of radio stations and more - or listen whenever you want by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform. But your best bet is to download the Keystone Sports App, available in the App Store and Google Play.