Podcast

Penn State enters a crucial three-game stretch to wrap up its 2015 season with a road trip to well-rested Northwestern on Saturday. The Nittany Lions have momentum on their side but a key opportunity on the horizon to secure their eighth victory of the season and a clear signal of progress in coach James Franklin’s second season.

Penn State has had its ups and downs this season but most recently came away encouraged from a 31-30 win over Maryland that was boosted by Christian Hackenberg and the big-play passing attack. Coach James Franklin talked about that strategy and the health of Saquon Barkley this week, and Bob Shoop broke down his defense in the advance of today’s game against Illinois.

Penn State has the No. 4 recruiting class in the country in 2016, a group of 19 verbal commitments that could be coach James Franklin’s best collection of talent since arriving in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions are still within arm’s reach to a number of high-profile targets but also have work to do to retain commits such as Lavert Hill, Quinn Nordin and Miles Sanders. Michigan is a big…