James Franklin preps Penn State for 'big boy ball' at Michigan: Notebook

Penn State head coach James Franklin met with the media for the final time before showtime. Set to travel to face No. 5 Michigan on Saturday, Franklin took questions following the Nittany Lions’ Wednesday afternoon practice.

What did he have to say?

Here is a look at some of the news, notes, and observations to emerge from his post-practice scrum:

James Franklin’s post-practice press conference

James Franklin’s post-practice notebook

1) Big Boy Ball

Franklin has made no bones about the reality facing his Penn State program on Saturday. Against a Michigan program boasting an offensive line with a reputation as physically dominant, and a defense that has been as tough as any in college football, the Nittany Lions have a challenge ahead of them.

But, recalling his post-game comments after Penn State’s win at Auburn in September, Franklin again alluded to the fact that the Nittany Lions are a program also determined to create a physically tough identity this season.

“I think we’ve done a better job of that consistently this year. This is going to be a physical game. This is going to be big boy ball on both sides of the ball,” Franklin said. “And we understand. We understand what we’re getting into. 

“Again, we got a ton of respect for these guys. We’ll find out on Saturday. But we’ve practiced that way. And, I think for the most part this year, we played that way. We’re going to have to do it on Saturday.”

2) Offensive challenges

Though Franklin was quite complimentary of Michigan running back Blake Corum at his Tuesday press conference, a question specific to Corum on Wednesday night offered a new insight into what Penn State believes the veteran back brings to the field for the Wolverines.

And, bottom line, the Nittany Lions will have their hands full against a highly productive, mature running back who can consistently deliver tough yards and, in equal parts, break off big, back-breaking carries. 

“He knows how to run and get positive yardage. Very few negative yardage plays with him. Even though he’s a small back, he always seems to fall forward. He is strong and powerful,” Franklin said, recalling Corum’s reputation as a hard worker during the recruiting process. “Just a committed young man and has had a damn good college career so far. He’s just super productive. 

“And, I think he understands how to play the position. He does a lot of things well, but I think in general, you respect the production. And then, if he gets an opportunity, he has the ability to take it the distance, too.”

3) Complementary pieces

If Corum is a potential problem for Penn State on Saturday, so too is the offensive line that paves the way for him.

Acknowledging that Michigan works hard to dictate the terms of both sides of the line of scrimmage, Franklin said the combination of talent, the intention of play, and establishing the tone early in games plays into the Wolverines’ successes.

“Offensively, they’ve recruited well, they’ve developed well, and again, their style of play of trying to stay balanced on offense, both run and pass, keep the keep the game from a scoring perspective where they’re in control the game,” Franklin said. “You look at first score, first drive, first play of a drive. All those things, a lead at the end of the first half; if you study this team and this head coach, all those things are a big factor in how they want to play. So, a combination of really all of it. Recruiting well, developing well, the style of offense they play, the style of complementary football they play as well has served them well.”