Big Ten Championship matchup set between Wisconsin and Penn State

With a win and a MI loss, Penn State goes to the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time ever.

Wisconsin starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook is listed as questionable for Saturday’s Big Ten Championship game – but Penn State coach James Franklin isn’t buying it.

He acted like a man who knew this was possible all along. Franklin’s team recovered and hasn’t lost since that afternoon in Ann Arbor. The critics – both in traditional and social media – were sensing blood in the water.

But ask players, and the rapid improvement of a defense that entered the season young, untested and breaking in a new coordinator is just as big a reason the Nittany Lions will be striving for their first 10-win season since 2009 on Saturday against Michigan State.

Normally, the victor of the best conference in the country (the Big Ten has four teams ranked in the most recent AP Top 25) would be all but guaranteed a spot in the playoff.

“I don’t think it’s anything long-term, hopefully, but we can’t use that as an excuse and use that as a crutch”, George Washington interim coach Maurice Joseph said. “And after that game, whatever the powers that be decide, we’ll be happy and excited for whatever that opportunity its”. “But overall it was a really, really good step for us”. “We’re appreciative and grateful for what has happened here to this point, but we’re nowhere near done”.

The Nittany Lions defense did an excellent job of stopping the run in the last four games. The Coaches Poll, a bit lower on MI before the Ohio State loss, dropped MI below Wisconsin to No. 6. He’s not making the mistakes or misreading coverages like he did at times earlier this season and was almost flawless after taking time to survey Michigan State’s defensive alignment last week.

But something has clicked since that first weekend in October.

“Obviously, how they were playing in the beginning of the season compared to how they’re playing now is different”, he said. “We’ll see whether he can practice or not and make a decision as the game goes on”. “He cares about this team and has confidence in himself”. In the long run, I think that’s going to help us.

Now, he has to accept that he’ll return home this week for the final time as a college athlete.

Penn State’s sudden ascent following three-straight seven-win seasons can be traced to its focus. The talent up and down the roster is evident.

Penn State’s DeAndre Thompkins (3) gets past Michigan State’s Justin Layne (39) after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday Nov. 26, 2016.

Meanwhile, Houston has completed 63.9 percent of his throws, tallying 912 yards with five touchdowns to three picks this season. Bart Houston played the entire second half.

“We want to finish with a ‘W, ‘” he said. “We had 13 lineman at the hotel and nine were freshmen. If they ran it in the first quarter, we would have called that same play”.

“The guys collectively set their jaws, got down and dirty, and were determined to play well”, said Pry, who did exactly the same thing himself.

Franklin praised McSorley for having a good feel in the pocket, which he demonstrated several times Saturday by stepping up and making big plays.