What’s the most interesting aspect about Penn State’s game with Purdue?
Is it that Penn State needs to keep winning?
Is it that based on odds, metrics and stats, Penn State will probably win?
Is it that this might be the worst Big Ten James Franklin has ever faced this late in the season?
Truth be told, there’s not that much interesting about Penn State’s game with Purdue.
The Boilermakers are just 1-8. Under Franklin, Penn State has never faced a one-win Big Ten team this late in the season before.
That’s interesting – at least if you’re a Penn State fan. And if you’re a Purdue fan, well at least basketball season just started.
Sure, there’s also that “if” lingering out there that things could go sideways. But if things go sideways, we’ve got bigger problems than worrying about.
This is yet another one of those “just take care of business” games for Penn State and it feels like entering this final stretch of the season, the Nittany Lions will have a few of those. That might be the most interesting thing right now.
Penn State is still playing with all of its goals, not just within vision but crystal clear definition. This is where it’s time for Penn State to do what it’s usually done under Franklin – take care of business when it’s supposed to.
Purdue offers an opportunity for Penn State to flex its muscles some, mostly thanks to a deeper roster. If anything, the intriguing storyline is that Notre Dame, a playoff hopeful, Ohio State, in a similar position as Penn State, and even Oregon have all played the Boilermakers.
The committee might, maybe just use this data set as a data point for seeding, should everyone get where its supposed to. In those games, Purdue was outscored 146-7, though, with its only points coming against Notre Dame. It’s hard to find something interesting about one of the teams struggling the most in the country.
Then again, there’s always a goofy one or two in West Lafayette.
But assuming that Penn State takes care of business against the Boilermakers, and the Nittany Lions will face a tricky-ish test against Minnesota. Vision of 2017 and 1999 are floating around in my head too. Keep things uninteresting there and that keeps things moving along according to plan.
Then Penn State’s contest with Maryland will be the presently scheduled last home game in Beaver Stadium’s current iteration.
Right now, those worries are for another day, though.
If anything, Penn State needs to worry about keeping things uninteresting right now.
It’s back to “1-0.” And “Purdue, Purdue, Purdue.” And taking care of business when Franklin’s team is supposed to.
Those are good problems to have.
at 
Time: 3:30 p.m.
TV: CBS
Announcers: Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, Jenny Dell
Radio: Penn State Sports Network
Announcers: Steve Jones, Jack Ham, Brian Tripp
