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Some nitpicking as the Nittany Lions attempt to regroup from their whooping at Michigan:
n Tonight is a referendum on the team's leadership -- James Franklin's ability to regroup the troops emotionally and especially on the defensive side of the ball. Minnesota is a run-first team, featuring Mo Ibrahim, and even more so with starting quarterback Tanner Morgan (concussion) questionable. N Most figured defensive coordinator Manny Diaz would only be at Penn State for one season and then move on to another head-coaching job. But if the Lions don't shore up their run defense tonight -- keep in mind Ohio State comes calling next week -- that projection may turn out to be true for a different reason.
n Then again, offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich's work has been underwhelming for two seasons.
n Expect to see more snaps for backup linebackers Abdul Carter and Kobe King, who have been reserves behind Tyler Elsdon. The linebacking play was exposed at Michigan.
n For a guy who is projected as a possible first-round draft pick, cornerback Joey Porter hasn't been an every-down player for the Lions in the last two weeks. Some of that may have to do with facing teams that are committed more to the run than the pass.
n After the UM loss, Franklin chose to question the size of some of his defensive linemen. It was out of the blue and seemed to be aimed at Hakeem Beamon, who is just 265 pounds. His shot was "Everybody thinks they're Aaron Donald (285 pounds), and they're not." So just so I have this straight: Your defense allows 563 yards -- 418 on the ground -- and you're going to reach over the table to swing at a defensive lineman making his fifth career start. Got it.
n If any of the Lions' linemen -- defensive or offensive -- are too small, it falls to the feet of Franklin and his coaching/strength staff.
n Speaking of questionable moves, the one-way-in-one-way- out tunnel at Michigan has been problematic for years, and a widely circulated video from last week showed Franklin yelling at Michigan to "stop talking to our players" as the teams headed into their halftime quarters. It wasn't a good look, especially when you trail in first downs 18-1. Plus Franklin has to know that practically everything he does in a public setting can wind up on social media.
n Sean Clifford did not throw in the Wednesday portion of practice that was open to the media. He didn't finish the game at Michigan after he was hurt, and Franklin doesn't discuss injuries (unless they're season ending) so it's possible Drew Allar will make his first start.
n Unless, of course, Chad Powers is back on campus.
n There's some question surrounding Keyvone Lee tonight. Lee was not present for Wednesday's practice, and Franklin said the absence was not academic-related. If Lee is injured or not available, the Lions will be down to two scholarship running backs -- freshmen Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Both have moved ahead of Lee. That's a precarious position, particularly at an injury-prone position, and would magnify the September defection of Devon Ford.
n Singleton has fumbled twice, but he also mishandled a kickoff that he didn't catch cleanly (at Michigan) and was spared another fumble against Northwestern when officials ruled he was down. He wasn't.
n I would target Brenton Strange at least a half-dozen times per game.
n When he was named head coach at Western Michigan in 2013, current Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck was just 32 years old.
n Catching up with some former Lion assistants from the Franklin tree: Brent Pry is 2-5 at Virginia Tech (idle this week after three straight losses); Joe Moorhead is 1-6 at Akron (lone win over Saint Francis in overtime); Ricky Rahne is 3-3 at Old Dominion (9-10 over two seasons).
n In the last five years, Franklin's teams are 1-4 after their first loss, thus allowing teams to beat them twice. That's part of the challenge tonight.
Rudel can be reached at 814-946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com.You can also follow him on Twitter@neilrudel.