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NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Penn State Football, James Franklin, College Football Playoff

“I’m a believer right now,” Nick Saban High On Penn State Football after Fiesta Bowl Win

Robert ShieldsJames Franklin, Penn State Football, , ,

The Nittany Lions are now one win away from a national championship appearance after taking down the Boise State Broncos on Tuesday 31-14 in the Fiesta Bowl.

While many in the college football media are still downplaying Penn State and head coach James Franklin’s success in this year’s College Football Playoff because of Penn State’s “easier” bracket, one legendary college football personality is all-in on Penn State’s chances in the playoff this season.

On the Pat McAfee show on Thursday, legendary Alabama head coach Nick Saban was asked about his thoughts on Franklin and Penn State after the Fiesta Bowl win this week. Here is what Saban said about the Penn State Nittany Lions:

On the Nittany Lions, Saban noted, “If you just go on how well teams are playing right now, Penn State and Ohio State are probably playing the best.” He continued, “That doesn’t mean they are necessarily going to win or that Penn State is going to win, but I do think they are playing extremely well.”

In the segment, Saban mentioned that the reason behind Penn State playing well is, “The quarterback’s playing well. They can run the ball well.” Saban also noted that he was “not a believer in Penn State early on. I’m a believer right now.” Saban also mentioned that Penn State is “playing well on both sides of the ball.”

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Back in November, Saban broke down Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki‘s creative offense on a College Gameday segment ahead of the Penn State Ohio State matchup with College Gameday’s show on Penn State’s campus.

Tuesday, Nick Saban joked with Penn State head coach James Franklin about becoming the Commissioner of College Football during Franklin’s appearance on College Gameday after Franklin threw Saban’s hat into the ring to lead the sport late last year.

During Franklin’s segment, Saban joked, “James, congratulations on a great win … does this put you one step closer to being the commissioner of college football?” Franklin took the opportunity to once again push for Saban to lead the sport as well in the segment.

Penn State will take on the winner of the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on January 9.

The Nittany Lions are a projected early 1.5-point underdog to both Georgia and Notre Dame for the Orange Bowl. This will be Penn State’s sixth appearance in the Orange Bowl all-time. Penn State holds a 4-1 record in the Orange Bowl in program history, with the last appearance coming in 2006 against Florida State.

If the Nittany Lions are able to pull off the upset in the Orange Bowl, the Nittany Lions would advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Atlanta, Georgia on January 20. Penn State’s last consensus national championship came all the way back in 1986.

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Robert Shields
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