STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — If Penn State no longer deserves to be considered one of college football's premier programs, somebody forgot to tell James Franklin.
Observing the Nittany Lions' practice on Wednesday, you'd never know that this was a team just eight months removed from needing an overtime win over Boston College in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl to secure a winning season.
After three seasons marred by unprecedented sanctions and a combined 22-15 record, it's back to football—and only football—for Penn State, which will open its 2015 season next Saturday against Temple with a newfound optimism surrounding its program.