It's the Penn State bye week: How will the Nittany Lions spend it?
Penn State football enters its first bye week of the 2024 season. It’s one of the earliest off weeks on record for the Nittany Lions thanks to the redesigned conference schedule due to Big Ten expansion. Head coach James Franklin has noted, as have many others, that it’s a unique time for an off week. But the Nittany Lions will take it for a number of reasons, which we will get into below. The No. 8 Nittany Lions are fresh off a 34-27 win over Bowling Green and sit at 2-0.
“It’s weird to have a bye week after your second game, but I think it’s going to be important for us, and we’re going to need to maximize this time and then obviously, we’re going to focus on our next opponent,” Franklin said Saturday.
What will the week look like for Penn State? Here’s a rundown.
Bye week schedule for the Lions
Penn State will open practice to reporters on Tuesday night. It’s a day earlier than the Wednesday viewing window typically offered during the regular season. Head coach James Franklin will speak after drills are concluded. Then, on Wednesday, a coordinator will speak with reporters. The Penn State Coaches Show will also air on Thursday. However, it’s unclear who the football program’s represenative will be at this point in time.
Recruiting will come into focus
As is the case during every off week, the Penn State staff will hit the road to recruit. They won’t be out all week, of course, as there is plenty of work to do in and around the Lasch Building and Holuba Hall following Saturday’s closer than expected victory over the Falcons. Coaches will be out to see senior risers, commits, and top underclassmen across the country before returning home over the weekeend to prep for Kent State.
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What questions must the Lions answer this week?
There are a few. The first is the long-term status of tight end Andrew Rappleyea. Franklin was not ready to discuss it Saturday after the game. But, the redshirt freshman was seen on crutches. He will be asked about it Tuesday and we’re curious to see what he says. And, the same goes for junior safety KJ Winston Jr., who missed most of the final three quarters for undisclosed reasons. What’s his status? Last but not least, will Penn State get redshirt freshman lineabcker Ta’Mere Robinson back soon? He is a crucial part of the program’s depth at that position and was missed against BGSU.
Beyond the injury notes, Penn State must work to diagnose what went wrong defensively in the first half against Bowling Green. The good news is that halftime adjustments helped right the ship. The bad news is that against better opponents, that won’t always be good enough.
