Penn State Presser Notes: James Franklin on Preparing for Ohio State, Recruiting J.K. Dobbins, and J.T. Barrett's 17th Year

No. 2 Penn State heads to Columbus on Saturday for a titanic Big Ten matchup with No. 6 Ohio State.

Tuesday, Nittany Lion head coach James Franklin met with media to preview the biggest game of his team's season thus far.

Some Buckeye-centric notes from the press conference: 

• Franklin challenged Penn State to be physical against Michigan, a team that prides itself on physicality. His team responded. 
• Penn State emphasizes starting fast. They scored 92 points in the first quarter this season and have surrendered zero. Michigan had scored on the last five opening drives entering the game.
• "It's one thing to win in a white out... it's another thing to go on the road and win."
• "J.T. Barrett has been playing at Ohio State, I think this is his 16th year—maybe going on 17th... He can beat you with his arm, his legs, or his mind."
• On Barrett's evolution: "We all know Kevin Wilson is a very, very good offensive coach. ... Early in the season, they were trying to find their offensive identity. They seem to have found it, and it was only a matter of time. I see Barrett playing with a lot of confidence right now."
• Noted Ohio State brings defensive pressure 42% of the time.
• "You guys laughed when I said I wanted to send Saquon Barkley's parents on a romantic getaway. But obviously Urban Meyer did that with the Bosas."
• On safety Marcus Allen: "Everyone wants to be tough at all times these days." Said Allen is always happy off the field, but he has the switch to become tough on the field. Could have gone to the NFL last year, but chose to return to Penn State.
• Franklin's team has grown since the 2014 heartbreaking loss to Ohio State. "You can make the argument we should have won that game. There is no such thing as a moral victory, but there are always lessons."
• On tight end Mike Gesicki's improvement from 2016: "He has improved in a lot of areas, especially in his blocking." Doesn't have much more to prove as a receiver.
• On Gesicki's leap over Trace McSorley while celebrating a touchdown against Michigan: "Not surprised. ... Whenever we have a dunk competition, he wins."

Franklin in 2014.

• On preparation against Ohio State: "These guys have been training for this moment for 18-20 years."
• On difference in personalities among defensive leadership: "Marcus Allen ... is a ball of positive energy." Cornerback Grant Haley "has probably said 32 words; he's more reserved; he's Mr. Dependable. You know what you're getting with him every day, every play." Linebacker Jason Cabinda is "one of the more natural charismatic leaders I've been around. He has very strong opinions on things."
• Franklin thinks there's value in Penn State having played at Iowa ahead of its trip to Columbus. "Kinnick Stadium, they're right on top of you. That's one of the toughest stadiums to play in."
• Franklin has talked with staff at making practice environment as grueling as possible this week. They'll mimic the Horseshoe's playlist, crowd chants, etc.
• Brushed off his, "Who do we play next week?" comment in the immediate aftermath of the Michigan win. "The game just ended. Can I talk about Michigan?" Said it's all part of his process, which is repeated every week, that gives his players confidence in knowing what to expect from the staff.
• A big key will be Penn State "staying on schedule" and staying out of 3rd-and-longs and other situations where Ohio State can deploy four defensive ends.
• Is this the toughest division in college football? "I don't ever like to say things that are definitive like that because I haven't gone out and studied it. ... I worked in a lot of conferences. I think we're in the discussion. You can't have that discussion without us."
• On J.K. Dobbin's freshman season compared to Saquon Barkley's: "We recruited J.K. Dobbins. [Running backs] coach [Charles] Huff said two months ago he'd be the starting running back before the end of the season."
• Is there camaraderie among Big Ten coaches? "During the season, it's hard. ... You're just so busy doing your jobs. And in the offseason, you're so busy recruiting." They see each other primarily on Nike trips or conferences.

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