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No new approach for James Franklin, Penn State with Pitt coming to town
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It’s rivalry week in State College, but nothing changes for James Franklin or Penn State.
Pitt comes to Beaver Stadium this weekend, the final head-to-head matchup in a four-game series in which the teams each hosted two home games in a renewed rivalry. While this is certainly an important game for both sides and the state of Pennsylvania, there is no change in how the Nittany Lions approach things this week.
James Franklin, who has become popular for the one-game season mantra, is sticking with that mindset.
“Do we understand this is a big game to the media and the fans and the letterman and college football? Yes,” Franklin said, according to Donnie Collins of the Scranton Times-Tribune. “We’re not burying our head in the sand…But our approach does not change.”
JF: "Do we understand this is a big game to the media and the fans and the lettermen and college football? Yes. We're not burying our head in the sand. … But our approach does not change."
— Donnie Collins (@PennStateTT) September 10, 2019
Franklin has used this kind of phrasing in the past, and it has not settled well with Pitt. Because Penn State doesn’t treat this week any differently than other weeks, some believe the Nittany Lions don’t view it as a serious rivalry.
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But Franklin has been consistent with his message, both in games against Pitt and throughout the season.
How will it settle with fans, players and coaches from Pitt this season? Surely we’ll hear some clapback from that comment before the two teams take the field on Saturday, right?
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB