Penn State ready for Big Ten football media day spotlight
On Wednesday, head coach James Franklin and a select contingent of players, including star quarterback Drew Allar, will address the media and likely answer several pressing questions about the team's outlook for the season. On a day in which the onus will be on the shoulders of the Penn State contingent, Franklin and Allar will be expected to address each question with candor, yet also with belief and enthusiasm. This season will be unlike any other for Penn State, and I expect the media day won't be handled any differently.
As the presumptive Big Ten favorite this year, the overarching narrative of Big Ten media day will surround that hype. After all, Penn State hasn't been Big Ten champion since 2016, Franklin's second year in Happy Valley. Almost a decade later, with only that title to his name, Franklin must face the reality of the situation, especially in this benchmark of a year. While he has gone 101-42 in his illustrious career, he is an abysmal 1-14 against top 5 teams and an awful 4-16 against Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Michigan. Their rivals have nothing to prove. Look for Franklin to ensure that these results can be reversed this year, and Penn State will come out on top not only in those pivotal matchups but as the Big Ten champion.
Another storyline that could define Big Ten media day discussions is the play of Drew Allar and whether last season was a harbinger of things to come. After a career year in which he led the Big Ten in passing, Allar decided to return for an encore. Thus, he must deliver and most importantly, sustain the level of play he attained last year. However, just because Allar drastically improved last year does not mean he is perfect. He had four interceptions combined in three of Penn State's biggest games, including a painful one in the waning moments of their CFP semifinals against Notre Dame, which effectively handed the Irish the win. Expect Allar to be candid about those moments and discuss the matter in a professional manner. Allar seems like the kind of player who is determined to move on and redefine his career, and he will show that confidence often in the media day environment.
Overall, Penn State's media day will be the most anticipated not just in the Big Ten, but in the entire country. With the added pressure of all the preseason hype they've received, all eyes will be on how two of the most important aspects of Penn State's potential success handle the weight of all those expectations.
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The Illini's schedule sets up quite favorably this fall with two of its three toughest opponents at home in USC on Sept. 27 and Ohio State on Oct. 11, while also avoiding the likes of Michigan, Penn State and Oregon entirely. The only team in the Big Ten with an easier strength of schedule — at least according to ESPN — is Maryland. For Bielema & Co., the College Football Playoff is within reach. Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman. RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports. Follow him at @RJ_Young. Michael Cohen covers college football and basketball for FOX Sports with an emphasis on the Big Ten. Follow him at @Michael_Cohen13. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? 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