Fans Can’t Stop Laughing About Penn State Having a Quiet Practice to Prep for Small Northwestern Crowd

Sports Illustrated ^ | September 28, 2023 | KEVIN SWEENEY

[ConservativeInPA]

Penn State head coach James Franklin had a hilarious way of preparing his undefeated Nittany Lions for a road game at Northwestern this Saturday: turning the music down.

Yes, you read that right.

Franklin told reporters after practice Wednesday that the team has spent time practicing with the music off to prepare for a quieter road atmosphere at Ryan Field in Evanston. Northwestern is averaging just 17,500 fans per game this season, by far the lowest mark in the Big Ten. For reference, Penn State’s Beaver Stadium has a capacity of 106,572, more than six times higher than Northwestern’s average attendance this season

[ConservativeInPA]

Thinking about this, it’s kind of funny, but it sort of makes sense. Penn State is coming off a home game that had over 110,000 fans to boost adrenaline levels of players. They are going to have to get find away to be self motivating and might as well practice that.

[Zuriel]

I guess these colleges can each name their facility “pro player stadium”.

[BenLurkin]

I hope the game is televised. Would like to see how the NW fans react to this.

[ConservativeInPA]

It’s on the Big Ten Network 11 am Central Time.

[BenLurkin]

Thanks!

[Carriage Hill]

[JonPreston]

11 am Central Time.

The start time can be more of an obstacle than the opponent. Allar should throw for 300 yards.

[ConservativeInPA]

Yeah, noon starts can be a problem.

I have a feeling this game will be different than the previous four this season, but your comment about Allar is probably right. He’ll just do it in a different way than previous games. Franklin was talking about how they have won games in different ways this year; games with rushing TDs, games with passing TDs, and grinding it out against Iowa. Essentially, very few explosive plays. It’s as if PSU reveals another side of the offense each week to make Ohio State and Michigan prepare for a lot more. Explosive plays are missing. I think Allar is going to stretch the field this week just to get it on video tape. Next to that I personally want to see both Allar and Pribula in the backfield at the same time, lined up with a tailback. Just get a series of that on tape with QB runs, passes and options. That will really mess with defenses’ heads.

[Campion]

I think about 1/3 of our season ticket holders cancelled after we fired our coach (who wasn't doing a good job anyway, IMO).

We managed to beat Minnesota last week, though, and that's better than any of the prognosticators expected. Most everyone had us picked to go 0-9 in conference. Still hopeful we can take 2 of 3 against Illinois, Purdue, and Nebraska.

Our OL struggles against any decent pass rush. We might manage more offense than Iowa did against your Lions, but nowhere near enough to win.

Chicago is a pro sports town; the only college team they care about is in South Bend. Even Illinois can only get 40k fans in Soldier Field when they play there.

[IrishBrigade]

‘That will really mess with defenses’ heads.’

well, when you lard your schedule with Delaware, UMass, and tough road games at Illinois, Northwestern, and Michigan St., it’s pretty easy to ‘mess with their heads...’