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Following are the highlights of James Franklin's Tuesday press conference:
Saturday's game: at Ohio State (noon, Fox)
Records: Both teams are 6-0.
Odds: Ohio State is a 4.5-point favorite, which has dropped.
Rankings: Ohio State is ranked No. 3 by the Associated Press, which ranks Penn State No. 7.
What's at stake
Franklin called this game "a tremendous challenge and a tremendous opportunity."
He's well aware of his 1-8 record vs. the Buckeyes, but he points to many of the games being in doubt deep into the fourth quarter, including last year when the Lions couldn't hold a late lead and lost 44-31.
It continued a pattern of squandered leads against the Buckeyes, who also overcame big deficits in 2017 and '18.
"We've played these guys as well as anybody in the conference," he said. "We expect this to be one of those types of games. We have to find a way to win the game in the fourth quarter."
Scouting Buckeyes
Franklin said Ohio State's roster, especially on offense, "has a ton of talent."
Marvin Harrison Jr. caught 10 passes for 185 yards at PSU last year.
"It starts with Marvin Harrison - he's a tremendous player," Franklin said.
He likened Harrison to Jahan Dotson, except Harrison is 6-foot-4.
Franklin praised quarterback Kyle McCord, who "has a big arm" and like Harrison is a Pennsylvania product, along with tight end Cade Stover, who "doesn't get enough love."
On defense, Franklin singled out veteran linebacker and leading tackler Tommy Eichenberg, saying "I have a coach crush" on him.
He also mentioned OSU defensive end J.T. Tuimolau, who "had a career game" by wrecking the Lions with two interceptions, two sacks, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble last year.
Allar homecoming
When he took a question about whether he planned to have a conversation with quarterback Drew Allar about returning to his home state -- the third such inquiry he fielded Tuesday -- Franklin said he changed his mind and will do so.
"We can't control what's said on the outside," he said. "I want Drew to do things the same way he's done them. He doesn't need to be any more than he's been."
Big game mentality
Though the Lions have lacked big plays offensively, Franklin was adamant about not changing the team's approach because of the opponent.
In fact, it's all the more reason, he said "you have to understand and embrace your identity ... and stay true to what has gotten us here."
Notable ...
n The Lions have only scored 41 points in the first quarter this season, and Franklin said a point of emphasis this week is to "start fast."
n McCord and Harrison both played their high school football at St. Joseph's Prep in the Philadelphia area, and their high school coach, Gabe Infante, is now on the PSU staff as an analyst.
n Though he lost his starting safety spot to Kevin Winston, State College's Keaton Ellis has had an "unbelievable career" and has a chance to play at the next level, Franklin said.
Compiled by Neil Rudel of the Altoona Mirror. He can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.