Episode Details

This week, Penn State football is in Tampa, Florida, preparing to face Arkansas in the Outback Bowl. Blue White Illustrated reporter Greg Pickel is down in the Sunshine State and joins host Thomas Frank Carr to give an update on the team, what he's seen at practice, as well as his takeaways from media availability. 

They start with the news that broke Wednesday afternoon that Penn State left tackle Rasheed Walker would not play in the game, and backup Olu Fashanu will take his spot on the left side. Pickel wasn't surprised by the news but by what head coach James Franklin said during his press conference. So, he addresses that before giving his thoughts on what that move means for the team. 

Next, they get into the other piece of news coming out of Franklin's media availability. First, they discuss what that information means for the Penn State defense and its effects. Then, T-Frank gets Pickel's thoughts on how bowl games should affect the redshirt status of players who may be forced into action by starters opting out for the NFL Draft. 

From there, they examine a crucial cog in Penn State's efforts on defense; linebacker Jesse Luketa. After hearing what interim defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter has to say about how they might use Luketa on Saturday, T-Frank and Pickel discuss what is best for the team in that regard. Finally, T-Frank brings up one troubling stat regarding Luketa's usage and how it could put Penn State in a bind if he plays too many snaps at linebacker. 

From there, they take a look at the young players that might see action during the contest and what Pickel is curious to learn about that group on Saturday. 

Finally, they wrap up by going over the news that starting corner Joey Porter Jr. is returning to Penn State next season. They hear from Porter Jr. what happened at the end of the year, and then T-Frank and Pickel discuss his potential next season. 

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