Okay, guys, everybody lock in and load it up. We got the playoffs coming on. It's coming up this weekend. I'm going to talk to Coach Franklin. We're going to preview the SMU game on this day. Right later on in the week, we're gonna preview it. So let's talk about what SMU represents. Let's talk about a little bit of a history lesson. I don't know if y'all know about the whole we Are thing, but me and Coach Franklin will discuss parts of where we are came from. The name Wally Triplett may trigger your your memories and may trigger some thoughts, but you might not have known the story that there were actually two games, two teams that were connected to it. So we're gonna get into all of those things. We got to all Americans. If you hadn't heard, you'll hear us talk about that as well. So get locked in. As I mentioned, here we go. It's quite Franklin. Coach Franklin LeVar Arrington three two one. Let's go, coach. It's a big week. It's historical week. I wasn't really and I didn't I take pride and known about my school, and I didn't even realize that it was the Sugar Bowl and it was uh SMU that Penn State was playing. That led to the it was the second iteration of it. Obviously, my I knew Miami, but I didn't know that there was a second part to it that they you know, they said the same exact thing to the Sugar Bowl when talking about Wally Triplett and his teammate not being able to play. Does does that create any significant value to how you're you're looking at the game?

Okay, guys, everybody lock in and load it up. We got the playoffs coming on. It's coming up this weekend. I'm going to talk to Coach Franklin. We're going to preview the SMU game on this day. Right later on in the week, we're gonna preview it. So let's talk about what SMU represents. Let's talk about a little bit of a history lesson. I don't know if y'all know about the whole we Are thing, but me and Coach Franklin will discuss parts of where we are came from. The name Wally Triplett may trigger your your memories and may trigger some thoughts, but you might not have known the story that there were actually two games, two teams that were connected to it. So we're gonna get into all of those things. We got to all Americans. If you hadn't heard, you'll hear us talk about that as well. So get locked in. As I mentioned, here we go. It's quite Franklin. Coach Franklin LeVar Arrington three two one. Let's go, coach. It's a big week. It's historical week. I wasn't really and I didn't I take pride and known about my school, and I didn't even realize that it was the Sugar Bowl and it was uh SMU that Penn State was playing. That led to the it was the second iteration of it. Obviously, my I knew Miami, but I didn't know that there was a second part to it that they you know, they said the same exact thing to the Sugar Bowl when talking about Wally Triplett and his teammate not being able to play. Does does that create any significant value to how you're you're looking at the game?

I mean, it wasn't. I don't It wasn't SMU's fault. You know.

I mean, it wasn't. I don't It wasn't SMU's fault. You know.

It was kind of like was it the Bowl game that that that didn't want, you know, at that time, to have minority players contributing and participating. They told them basically to stay home and the other players And now we are, we are a team and we're gonna play together or we're gonna not play together. It's just y'all's choice. But how cool is that?

It was kind of like was it the Bowl game that that that didn't want, you know, at that time, to have minority players contributing and participating. They told them basically to stay home and the other players And now we are, we are a team and we're gonna play together or we're gonna not play together. It's just y'all's choice. But how cool is that?

Man?

Man?

You make history by being in the playoff. But there's like there's a connection to the past, the way way back past.

You make history by being in the playoff. But there's like there's a connection to the past, the way way back past.

To the present and time right now.

To the present and time right now.

Yeah, I think most importantly it's an opportunity to tell our story and talk about where we are came from. So I think whenever you have an opportunity to educate people, it's amazing how many people don't realize that's really where it comes from. That's where I think the value this team, this coaching staff, obviously they have nothing to do with any of those types of things, but it is an opportunity for us to talk about our history and and where we are comes from, which which is always a tremendous opportunity to educate people in the history at Penn State, this institution, this part of the country, and something we should take a ton of pride.

Yeah, I think most importantly it's an opportunity to tell our story and talk about where we are came from. So I think whenever you have an opportunity to educate people, it's amazing how many people don't realize that's really where it comes from. That's where I think the value this team, this coaching staff, obviously they have nothing to do with any of those types of things, but it is an opportunity for us to talk about our history and and where we are comes from, which which is always a tremendous opportunity to educate people in the history at Penn State, this institution, this part of the country, and something we should take a ton of pride.

In s m U.

In s m U.

They're there, They're stick city in the rankings, they're eleventh. They they look to have a scoring of a high scoring offense, and they they they look like their speed and their quickness just by by a glance on film is what gives teams problems when they play against them. What is it that you know you've been looking at, hitting into What is it that you're preparing for for this SMU team?

They're there, They're stick city in the rankings, they're eleventh. They they look to have a scoring of a high scoring offense, and they they they look like their speed and their quickness just by by a glance on film is what gives teams problems when they play against them. What is it that you know you've been looking at, hitting into What is it that you're preparing for for this SMU team?

Yeah, I agree with that.

Yeah, I agree with that.

It's a combination of Texas speed in Miami speed. The head coach was the offensive coordinate at Miami. When he came to s m U, he brought a bunch of transfers with them, and that combination has really done some good things for him. They made a change the quarterback position, got a very Lamar esque type quarterback, very athletic and make plays with his feet, you know. I think obviously they're leading the conference and one of the better scoring offenses in the country at like thirty nine points a game. But defensively they're number one in the ACC and rush defense, they're number one in the ACC, I think in total defense, and then I think they're like fourth, you know, in.

It's a combination of Texas speed in Miami speed. The head coach was the offensive coordinate at Miami. When he came to s m U, he brought a bunch of transfers with them, and that combination has really done some good things for him. They made a change the quarterback position, got a very Lamar esque type quarterback, very athletic and make plays with his feet, you know. I think obviously they're leading the conference and one of the better scoring offenses in the country at like thirty nine points a game. But defensively they're number one in the ACC and rush defense, they're number one in the ACC, I think in total defense, and then I think they're like fourth, you know, in.

The ACC and third down percentage.

The ACC and third down percentage.

So they do a really nice job on the defensive side of the ball. They're usually because of their style of offense, they're usually playing with elite. They were not in the championship game against Clemson, but came back. I think they were down twenty four to seven and came back and had a chance to win that game.

So they do a really nice job on the defensive side of the ball. They're usually because of their style of offense, they're usually playing with elite. They were not in the championship game against Clemson, but came back. I think they were down twenty four to seven and came back and had a chance to win that game.

Is I think it was thirty one all So they've done a nice job. They know how to win.

Is I think it was thirty one all So they've done a nice job. They know how to win.

They got a ton of transfer portal guy I think they have forty eight transfer portal guys on their team. So you know, they've done a good job building. And I think the other thing that I don't think people realize is SMUs one of these programs, private school, ton of money, ton of very very successful graduates. But what make them different than maybe a Vanderbilt or some other schools like that is they have a tremendous football history. And now when you talk about the changes in college football with the NIL and all these other things, they're able to capitalize on that alumni base and that history and that passion, and they've made it.

They got a ton of transfer portal guy I think they have forty eight transfer portal guys on their team. So you know, they've done a good job building. And I think the other thing that I don't think people realize is SMUs one of these programs, private school, ton of money, ton of very very successful graduates. But what make them different than maybe a Vanderbilt or some other schools like that is they have a tremendous football history. And now when you talk about the changes in college football with the NIL and all these other things, they're able to capitalize on that alumni base and that history and that passion, and they've made it.

They've made a significant.

They've made a significant.

Push from a facility standpoint, from a player retention standpoint, and a player attraction standpoint.

Push from a facility standpoint, from a player retention standpoint, and a player attraction standpoint.

Coach the portal.

Coach the portal.

We talked about it on the show on Two Pros and a Cup of Joe, and how the portal has made it difficult for for athletes and teams to be able to almost in a way part amicably, you know, or or part in a way where it doesn't interfere or intrude on the current season. Can you expand on that just a little bit, because obviously, you know, it's sad to see you know, Bo enter into the portal, Purbula go into the portal, but super happy to see and hear that Drew obviously is coming back, but in years past, I still think that bo is best served by staying put right where he's at. But I get it, and I do understand it. He is a talent and could be starting probably at ninety percent of the other schools out there. So but just talk to me a little bit more about, you know, the idea of how to address if anyway is this because obviously there's quarters and then there's semester schools, and there's the whole conversation of trying to make it work because of how the academic calendar works. How you know, what's your take on do you think you have like would there be an ideal way of approaching the portal?

We talked about it on the show on Two Pros and a Cup of Joe, and how the portal has made it difficult for for athletes and teams to be able to almost in a way part amicably, you know, or or part in a way where it doesn't interfere or intrude on the current season. Can you expand on that just a little bit, because obviously, you know, it's sad to see you know, Bo enter into the portal, Purbula go into the portal, but super happy to see and hear that Drew obviously is coming back, but in years past, I still think that bo is best served by staying put right where he's at. But I get it, and I do understand it. He is a talent and could be starting probably at ninety percent of the other schools out there. So but just talk to me a little bit more about, you know, the idea of how to address if anyway is this because obviously there's quarters and then there's semester schools, and there's the whole conversation of trying to make it work because of how the academic calendar works. How you know, what's your take on do you think you have like would there be an ideal way of approaching the portal?

Well?

Well?

I think a couple things, and I mentioned this earlier in the week.

I think a couple things, and I mentioned this earlier in the week.

I think we need a football.

I think we need a football.

Commissioner that's going to make decisions that is in the best interest to the student athletes and the best interest of the sport. But when you're a commissioner and you got to do what's best for your conference, and a lot of it is based on revenue decisions, you need somebody that's away from all of that that can sit there and say that this is what we need to do that's going to serve both the student athletes and the game.

Commissioner that's going to make decisions that is in the best interest to the student athletes and the best interest of the sport. But when you're a commissioner and you got to do what's best for your conference, and a lot of it is based on revenue decisions, you need somebody that's away from all of that that can sit there and say that this is what we need to do that's going to serve both the student athletes and the game.

I think that's important.

I think that's important.

A couple suggestions that I would make is that we need to start the season a week earlier. I think that would create some flexibility late in the season. If we started a week earlier in the season. I think, get rid of the conference championship game. It's too many games already at this point, so get rid of the conference championship. Last week it was weird, like you have people playing a conference championship game that if they lose, there was fear that they would be pushed out of the playoff. So you're being penalized for playing the game. Other teams are sitting still.

A couple suggestions that I would make is that we need to start the season a week earlier. I think that would create some flexibility late in the season. If we started a week earlier in the season. I think, get rid of the conference championship game. It's too many games already at this point, so get rid of the conference championship. Last week it was weird, like you have people playing a conference championship game that if they lose, there was fear that they would be pushed out of the playoff. So you're being penalized for playing the game. Other teams are sitting still.

You know.

You know.

There's a lot of conversation about Notre Dame not being able to have a buye.

There's a lot of conversation about Notre Dame not being able to have a buye.

Well they do have a buye, they don't play a conference championship game.

Well they do have a buye, they don't play a conference championship game.

That would also, I think help us if we could have a consistent model where everybody's playing eight or nine conference games that's consistent across the board. So I think those things would be a really good starting point. I think there's been some pretty good discussions that people have talked about about moving spring ball to the summer, almost like OTAs that now all of your guys on your your high school summer en rollies could be a part of your transfers could be a part of I think those things make sense as well, But I think the most important thing is move the season up a week.

That would also, I think help us if we could have a consistent model where everybody's playing eight or nine conference games that's consistent across the board. So I think those things would be a really good starting point. I think there's been some pretty good discussions that people have talked about about moving spring ball to the summer, almost like OTAs that now all of your guys on your your high school summer en rollies could be a part of your transfers could be a part of I think those things make sense as well, But I think the most important thing is move the season up a week.

And get rid of the conference championship games.

And get rid of the conference championship games.

That would help as much as anything, take the pressure off the end of the season right now with the playoffs, the transfer portal, and everything else is going on, obviously the academic calendar.

That would help as much as anything, take the pressure off the end of the season right now with the playoffs, the transfer portal, and everything else is going on, obviously the academic calendar.

You mentioned the playoffs. Do you think that there should be a reseeding after each round, like going into it or whatever. Do you think that they're you know, looking at the way things were ranked and seed it, do you feel like they got it right or do you feel like there should be an alternative to how the seeding is done?

You mentioned the playoffs. Do you think that there should be a reseeding after each round, like going into it or whatever. Do you think that they're you know, looking at the way things were ranked and seed it, do you feel like they got it right or do you feel like there should be an alternative to how the seeding is done?

Again, when you have the conference championship game.

Again, when you have the conference championship game.

And then when you have this whole system where certain teams are guaranteed their conference championship teams.

And then when you have this whole system where certain teams are guaranteed their conference championship teams.

Are in and how that all lays out, it just there's too many constraints on it.

Are in and how that all lays out, it just there's too many constraints on it.

So at the end of the season, rank it one through twelve, one plays twelve, two plays eleven, you know, like most people do, or like most conferences and sports do that. That's what I would suggest. There's just too many there's too many moving.

So at the end of the season, rank it one through twelve, one plays twelve, two plays eleven, you know, like most people do, or like most conferences and sports do that. That's what I would suggest. There's just too many there's too many moving.

Parts right now. Like no disrespect, but for.

Parts right now. Like no disrespect, but for.

Some schools to get a bye in week one when nobody has them ranked in the top four teams.

Some schools to get a bye in week one when nobody has them ranked in the top four teams.

In college football, I don't know if that makes sense.

In college football, I don't know if that makes sense.

I just I think we want to make it as consistent and fair as we possibly can, and I just don't know right now if we're actually doing it.

I just I think we want to make it as consistent and fair as we possibly can, and I just don't know right now if we're actually doing it.

Or even if a team that isn't isn't a conference champion gets bumped, like you know, people talked about Miami, you know, getting bumped or anything like that. Like it just seems as though there possibly could be a better approach. That is, if the rankings and ratings systems, you know, truly matter. I mean people want us to to think they matter. What does rankings matter if it doesn't matter when you get to this point in the year. But that's just me talking. Let's let's shift real quick, because I know we're running short on time. You got two new All Americans to the wall and and and to to my my pleasure, it's it's the third it's the third sticks that that's gonna hit. Uh hit that hollow grounds. I call it the Hall of Valhalla, which is the the home of the Brave. You know, that's where the brave live forever. Uh. You got Warren. Tyler Warren goes on in Abdul Carter, just talk a little bit about that coach. You get two more All Americans. It means that you're doing something right. You got two in one year. You're doing something right with with these kids and their development.

Or even if a team that isn't isn't a conference champion gets bumped, like you know, people talked about Miami, you know, getting bumped or anything like that. Like it just seems as though there possibly could be a better approach. That is, if the rankings and ratings systems, you know, truly matter. I mean people want us to to think they matter. What does rankings matter if it doesn't matter when you get to this point in the year. But that's just me talking. Let's let's shift real quick, because I know we're running short on time. You got two new All Americans to the wall and and and to to my my pleasure, it's it's the third it's the third sticks that that's gonna hit. Uh hit that hollow grounds. I call it the Hall of Valhalla, which is the the home of the Brave. You know, that's where the brave live forever. Uh. You got Warren. Tyler Warren goes on in Abdul Carter, just talk a little bit about that coach. You get two more All Americans. It means that you're doing something right. You got two in one year. You're doing something right with with these kids and their development.

Well what what was cool is I bring those guys into my off And you'll know this because you know the guys and the fans that listen to the show, that they know their personalities right.

Well what what was cool is I bring those guys into my off And you'll know this because you know the guys and the fans that listen to the show, that they know their personalities right.

So I bring them into my office and.

So I bring them into my office and.

Tell them, Hey, I just want to let you guys know, couldn't be happier for you.

Tell them, Hey, I just want to let you guys know, couldn't be happier for you.

It could be more proud.

It could be more proud.

You two guys are gonna, you know, go on to the All American Hallway. So when you come back twenty years from now with your families there, you are on a very short list one hundred and four guys all time in our history.

You two guys are gonna, you know, go on to the All American Hallway. So when you come back twenty years from now with your families there, you are on a very short list one hundred and four guys all time in our history.

You know.

You know.

And as you can imagine, Tyler Warren goes thank you, and that was it, like another like thank.

And as you can imagine, Tyler Warren goes thank you, and that was it, like another like thank.

You, you know.

You, you know.

And one of the things that was cool about abduls he shows me his phone and I don't really know what he's showing me, but on his phone, on his screen saver, on his wallpaper, he's got a picture of the All American Hallway. So every day he looks at his phone, he's got a picture in All Americans. So that was one of his goals that he wanted to do before here, which is awesome, right.

And one of the things that was cool about abduls he shows me his phone and I don't really know what he's showing me, but on his phone, on his screen saver, on his wallpaper, he's got a picture of the All American Hallway. So every day he looks at his phone, he's got a picture in All Americans. So that was one of his goals that he wanted to do before here, which is awesome, right.

It's a motive, it's a motivator.

It's a motive, it's a motivator.

So yeah, I'm really proud of those guys and happy for those guys. And you know, it's a it's an impressive list, which which obviously you are on. It's an impressive list to be a part of it. I'm just I'm very, very proud of those guys and also cool you got one on offense and one on defense, both sides of the ball, which I think that's all a big reason why we are where we are in the playoffs, because we got guys on both sides of the ball making an impact.

So yeah, I'm really proud of those guys and happy for those guys. And you know, it's a it's an impressive list, which which obviously you are on. It's an impressive list to be a part of it. I'm just I'm very, very proud of those guys and also cool you got one on offense and one on defense, both sides of the ball, which I think that's all a big reason why we are where we are in the playoffs, because we got guys on both sides of the ball making an impact.

The weather before I let you go, are y'all practicing outside now? I ain't gonna make no comparisons. But when it started to get cold outside, Frank, we was outside. We was outside. Now, I'm gonna say I did not like it. It was upsetting, it was disheartening, all.

The weather before I let you go, are y'all practicing outside now? I ain't gonna make no comparisons. But when it started to get cold outside, Frank, we was outside. We was outside. Now, I'm gonna say I did not like it. It was upsetting, it was disheartening, all.

The same reasons why you're living in California right now.

The same reasons why you're living in California right now.

You know, I didn't know that I would. I practiced in cold and school, all right, I went. I went fifteen to oh my freshman year, so I knew what it was like to be in bone chilling cold weather.

You know, I didn't know that I would. I practiced in cold and school, all right, I went. I went fifteen to oh my freshman year, so I knew what it was like to be in bone chilling cold weather.

But practice practicing.

But practice practicing.

We got an indoor facility right behind us.

We got an indoor facility right behind us.

I don't know, it just hit me differently. It just made me feel different. But I get it. I got it.

I don't know, it just hit me differently. It just made me feel different. But I get it. I got it.

Like we got out there on game day and it really you know, you breathe that air and State College when it gets that cold out, I don't care if you come from a cold weather town. It's still different air. Because you're you're in the mountains, like you're in the valley. In the mountains, that air hits. It just hits differently on your lungs, and you gotta get used to it because it drives you up.

Like we got out there on game day and it really you know, you breathe that air and State College when it gets that cold out, I don't care if you come from a cold weather town. It's still different air. Because you're you're in the mountains, like you're in the valley. In the mountains, that air hits. It just hits differently on your lungs, and you gotta get used to it because it drives you up.

Y'all been outside, Yeah, So what we do.

Y'all been outside, Yeah, So what we do.

I try to kind of blend a little bit of old school and new school mentality. We won't be outside for like the stretching and the warm ups and the jog through periods.

I try to kind of blend a little bit of old school and new school mentality. We won't be outside for like the stretching and the warm ups and the jog through periods.

I don't want them standing around.

I don't want them standing around.

Especially smart. Yeah that's smart.

Especially smart. Yeah that's smart.

You're sweating and then and then you're standing around and the cold. But all of our full speed periods will be outside with the office. I was actually pissed yesterday because you're not gonna you're not gonna believe this.

You're sweating and then and then you're standing around and the cold. But all of our full speed periods will be outside with the office. I was actually pissed yesterday because you're not gonna you're not gonna believe this.

But it actually the temperature spiked back. It warmed up, and I was mad because I wanted to be out there in the cold.

But it actually the temperature spiked back. It warmed up, and I was mad because I wanted to be out there in the cold.

But it warmed up and we were able to have it was actually a beautiful night to practice. But I was I was hoping it was a little bit cold. This this head was I don't have any insulation up there.

But it warmed up and we were able to have it was actually a beautiful night to practice. But I was I was hoping it was a little bit cold. This this head was I don't have any insulation up there.

But uh, you're gonna have something on that head this weekend. You're gonna have something on that head.

But uh, you're gonna have something on that head this weekend. You're gonna have something on that head.

Not too you got.

Not too you got.

I mean, that's that's that's a must. I need you focus. I don't need you sitting there like is my head? Is my head still on my neck?

I mean, that's that's that's a must. I need you focus. I don't need you sitting there like is my head? Is my head still on my neck?

Is my coat? Coaches? My head still there? All right?

Is my coat? Coaches? My head still there? All right?

Okay, now when are you coming into the town.

Okay, now when are you coming into the town.

I get in Thursday night, I get in Thursday night. I will be there.

I get in Thursday night, I get in Thursday night. I will be there.

I will.

I will.

I was going to come see y'all like I always do. After last game it was too cold. I went straight. I was walking to the gate and I was almost there. I was almost there, and the cold it pushed me and I was like ah and over I went up to the sweets.

I was going to come see y'all like I always do. After last game it was too cold. I went straight. I was walking to the gate and I was almost there. I was almost there, and the cold it pushed me and I was like ah and over I went up to the sweets.

Hey, hey, listening to this too. Stop talking about how cold it is. It ain't that cold. Stop it.

Hey, hey, listening to this too. Stop talking about how cold it is. It ain't that cold. Stop it.

Hold on now, hold on what I mean?

Hold on now, hold on what I mean?

You said?

You said?

There's two things that's been said.

There's two things that's been said.

One, all right, the hall of Valhalla where the braves shall live forever. All right, it's a right of passage. The two is it's a right of passage, like you come there for a reason. Now, I did my time. I could talk about being cold now because I'm old. Hey, I've been dealing with Hey, coach.

One, all right, the hall of Valhalla where the braves shall live forever. All right, it's a right of passage. The two is it's a right of passage, like you come there for a reason. Now, I did my time. I could talk about being cold now because I'm old. Hey, I've been dealing with Hey, coach.

I tell I'm not ashamed.

I tell I'm not ashamed.

At times, I fight like a gout like symptom in my joints, and I just don't like cold touching me because it feels like cold activates that bad arthritis. You know, we were just talking about the Grandmams and the moth balls and the heys.

At times, I fight like a gout like symptom in my joints, and I just don't like cold touching me because it feels like cold activates that bad arthritis. You know, we were just talking about the Grandmams and the moth balls and the heys.

You you in that category when you start talking about I got the gout I got, I got the gout, I got the sugar.

You you in that category when you start talking about I got the gout I got, I got the gout, I got the sugar.

I gotta go, man, I gotta go, I gotta go.

I gotta go, man, I gotta go, I gotta go.

Hey, appreciate you, coach. Good luck to you.

Hey, appreciate you, coach. Good luck to you.

Good luck to you Anyboddy?

Good luck to you Anyboddy?

All right, all right, that was coach Franklin. You guys got an opportunity to hear yourself. History has been made, is going to be made. They were named to the playoff, the twelve team playoff.

All right, all right, that was coach Franklin. You guys got an opportunity to hear yourself. History has been made, is going to be made. They were named to the playoff, the twelve team playoff.

For a home game.

For a home game.

Now question becomes, will we do our part?

Now question becomes, will we do our part?

Will we show up?

Will we show up?

Will this be the energy and the atmosphere that every team has feared when they have to come and travel to Happy Valley? I hope so I'm gonna be there. I'm excited. I'm pumped up. I hope you guys are pumped up. This was quite Franklin. That was coach James Franklin. I'm LeVar Harrington. Good luck nickny Lyons. I'm looking forward to it. Make sure you check out this repew PSU wherever it is that you check out your podcast. Just type it in search it It'll pop up and you can check out this repew PSU on your social media is.

Will this be the energy and the atmosphere that every team has feared when they have to come and travel to Happy Valley? I hope so I'm gonna be there. I'm excited. I'm pumped up. I hope you guys are pumped up. This was quite Franklin. That was coach James Franklin. I'm LeVar Harrington. Good luck nickny Lyons. I'm looking forward to it. Make sure you check out this repew PSU wherever it is that you check out your podcast. Just type it in search it It'll pop up and you can check out this repew PSU on your social media is.

Just look it up.

Just look it up.

All right, until next time, we'll catch up with you. Oh yeah, we are

All right, until next time, we'll catch up with you. Oh yeah, we are