James Franklin worries about home environment Saturday

[PonyPride]

From MSN.com:

James Franklin raises concerns about homefield advantage ahead of Penn State's College Football Playoff showdown with SMU

No. 4 Penn State is set to host No. 10 SMU in one of the first-ever home games under the new 12-team College Football Playoff format this Saturday at noon.

The matchup between the Big TenΓÇÖs Penn State and the ACCΓÇÖs SMU is precisely the type of game many envisioned when the expanded playoff format was announced. However, Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin has expressed some reservations about how the game might feel, particularly regarding the atmosphere at Beaver Stadium.

During a media session on Wednesday, Franklin highlighted some potential challenges.

ΓÇ£One of the things I think is really important is our students,ΓÇ¥ Franklin said, per Zane Brancefield. ΓÇ£Our students make a huge difference for us. And obviously, being after finals and things like that, it makes things challenging. ThatΓÇÖs a little bit of a concern.

ΓÇ£And then, obviously, itΓÇÖs a home game for usΓÇöbut to your point, College Football Playoff pretty much runs everything else. So, it will not feel like it normally feels to us, playing a home game in Beaver Stadium. ... This is the structure that exists, so weΓÇÖre going to take it.ΓÇ¥

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[Charleston Pony]

a little bit of CYA going on there...just in case SMU shocks the world and beats Penn State on their home field

[PonyTales]

Exactly. Just laying down excuses in advance. Penn State had a huge home-field advantage with very few empty seats.