Penn State football notebook: Franklin won’t settle for more shortcomings, has high expectations
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Penn State coach James Franklin made it clear on Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days that the goal is not to win 10 or 11 games.
"That's not the expectation at Penn State," Franklin said. "(The players) chose Penn State just like I chose Penn State – to compete for championships. We're one of the few programs where we win 10 or 11 games and people are unhappy. We embrace that."
An appearance in the College Football Playoff would calm a lot of the unhappiness around Happy Valley and the fan base. That possibility is a little greater starting this season with the expansion of 12 teams to the playoffs.
In past seasons, the Nittany Lions would have made the CFP six times had there been a 12-team format rather than the four teams since its inception in 2014.
"In years past, we would have made the playoffs with the new system," said PSU defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas, who was formerly known as Dvon Ellies. "With all the talent we have, it's another opportunity to showcase our talents."
As it has been known in Franklin's previous 10 years as the coach at Penn State, the focus still is on the task in front of them.
"There is more opportunity towards the end of the year, but nothing is going to happen unless we take care of business on the front end," PSU tight end Tyler Warren said. "We're focused on the present right now."
Whiteout decision
Penn State chose Washington in its first trip to Beaver Stadium as the opponent for the annual Whiteout game on Nov. 9. Washington just made an appearance in the national championship last season, but the Huskies aren't projected to be as strong this season.
The logical choice in previous years would have been the Ohio State game, but television contracts with the Big Ten haven't made the decision so simple in recent years.
"The perception was the primetime games were always at night. That's what our fans expect. With Fox and our partnership with them, a lot of those primetime games have been moved to 12:00."
The hope from Franklin is that the Washington game will not be scheduled for noon due to the time change for the Huskies. A noon game on the east coast would be a 9 a.m. kickoff for the Huskies when they are at home.
PSU's powers in charge feel strongly that there should only be one Whiteout per year, but that possibility could change if the Nittany Lions were to host a first-round playoff game in December.
Carter's position switch
Abdul Carter made the transition from outside linebacker to defensive end during the spring, but Franklin said the Lions have the ability to play him at either position this season.
"You never know how that transition is going to go, playing in space as a linebacker to going up to the line of scrimmage and going up against offensive tackles," Franklin said. "He made the adjustment pretty quickly. You're talking about one of the more explosive, physical athletes in all of college football. We'll decide where he's going to have the most impact for us."