PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s arguably the toughest three game stretch to ever start a Penn State football season. Opening at Big 10 power Wisconsin. Yes a MAC team, Ball State, at home, but the team that won the conference. Now hosting SEC power Auburn.
“When you talk about Auburn, obviously excited about the opportunity,” said Penn State head coach James Franklin. “Got a lot of respect for Auburn University, the history, traditions. Talking about 16 returning starters on that club, a talented club, what you expect to see when you turn on an SEC football team.”
The 2-0 Tigers have not played as aggressive a schedule as PSU. Auburn beat Akron 60-10 and Alabama State 62-0. It’s the first two games for new head coach Bryan Harsin. His offensive coordinator is former Georgia quarterback and offensive coordinator along with Colorado State and South Carolina head coach Mike Bobo.
“I've known him for a long time,” Franklin said. “Got a lot of respect for Mike as a coach and as a man. Does a really good job. Some of their personnel that jumps out to us is Tank Bigsby. Explosive and fast. Makes a bunch of plays for them. Jarquez Hunter, another running back.
Not elite defenses they’ve faced, but Hunter has 257 yards on 17 carries, an average of 15.1 yards an attempt. Bigsby has 241 yards on 24 attempts, 10 yards a touch.
Franklin said he’s impressed with the athleticism, accuracy and ability to extend plays by Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (29-39, 383 yards, 5-TD, 0-INT). Side note-Nix’s dad, Patrick, was the quarterback for Auburn for Penn State’s 43-14 Outback Bowl win in 1995.
“And then on defense, obviously, you know I have some history with Derek Mason,” Franklin said of Auburn’s defensive coordinator and the man who followed him as head coach at Vanderbilt. “Derek was one of the most respected defensive coordinators in all of college football. You talk about guys that we've been impressed with on tape, Owen Pappoe, young man we recruited out of high school. He really jumps off the tape and flashes to you. The other linebacker, Zakoby McClain, and then defensive end Derick Hall, No, 29, and corner No. 23, Roger McCreary. Those are the guys that jump out, and not only that, back it up from a statistical standpoint.
Let’s again remember the competition, but Auburn has 22 tackles for loss totaling 72 yards in just two games. Nine sacks, an interception, pair of forced fumbles, two blocked kicks and a safety to round out the numbers.
“I think the biggest challenge for us with these guys is the way their first two games have played out and the type of people they have played,” Franklin said. “It makes it a little bit challenging on tape to evaluate. And, again, with a new head coach and new coordinators, are we watching Boise State film, Vanderbilt film, Georgia film, Colorado State film, South Carolina film? What do you watch to get enough examples of formations of situational football and scenarios that you want get covered?”
“You just don't have a whole lot to work with. When you get into a game and it's a blowout early on, those late game reps are not as important in your breakdown because I don't know if they are as realistic as information as you would get under different scenario. So that's probably the biggest challenge.”
Franklin said he talked with AD Sandy Barbour about setting up this series. He said the Big Ten played a role in scheduling it, admitting it helps the strength of schedule. It’s a home-and-home series, the eighth-year Penn State head coach said he would prefer to play a neutral site game instead. The logic is the teams can split the gate. You aren’t committed to a pair of games and it allows the team and fan base to enjoy a game in a different part of the country.
Saturday night they will be content to own a 106,000 fan White Out advantage and an opportunity for the Nittany Lions to establish themselves in the Top 10.
