The Penn State Nittany Lions are 6-2, with their only losses coming against undefeated Temple and Ohio State. As Penn State approaches the end of their season, the Nittany Lions are trying to position themselves for the best bowl game possible. Here's what you need to know about Penn State football entering Week 9.
Illinois Is Next
Penn State faces an Illinois squad that holds a 4-3 record. Illinois has lost two straight, with a win over Nebraska as its only victory over Power 5 team. PSU is favored by four points, which is actually down from the opening line of six. This a game Penn State should win, especially if they want a good bowl game.
Bowl Game Projections
ESPN's two experts, Mark Schlabach and Brett McMurphy, don't agree on where PSU will end up playing after the regular season. Schlabach projects the Outback Bowl for the Nittany Lions, where they'd face Georgia. McMurphy has PSU heading to the Holiday Bowl to play USC.
Franklin and Miami?
Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he isn't happy about speculation he could become the next Miami (FL) coach.
“I don’t like it,” Franklin told the Post-Gazette. “I have no idea where it’s coming from whatsoever. My family has sacrificed, I’ve worked [hard] to get to Penn State, to get here, and this is where I want to be. We’ve got a lot of work to do on the field, got a lot of work to do off the field in every aspect, but this is where I want to be.”
Franklin signed a 6-year, $27-million contract when he became the Penn State head coach in 2014.
Hackenberg Record
QB Christian Hackenberg isn't done with his junior season, but he's already setting records for Penn State. In last week's win over Maryland, Hackenberg became the school's leader in career passing yards and completions. He'll only add to those numbers as the year continues.
Practice Routine Change
Penn State is entering its ninth game in as many weeks, which is prompting Franklin to tweak the practice schedule. Franklin told 247Sports that he's changing the practice plans to keep the team fresh.
"We haven't tackled as clean," Franklin told 247Sports. "We're at a point right now where we're a little banged up. We're going to modify practice this week fairly dramatically. We've got to get our legs back, be fresh and physical. We've played such good defense around here for the last year and a half. We've got to get back to that."
Penn State doesn't have a bye until after the team plays Northwestern in two weeks.
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