ESPN’s Greg McElroy says Penn State is ‘not very good’; James Franklin talks sign-stealing, and more

Today’s Penn State football news headlines feature a blunt assessment of the Lions’ chances for the remainder of 2023, plus coach James Franklin’s thoughts on sign-stealing and what measures a program can take to prevent it.

McElroy saw enough from Penn State’s performance to draw the harsh conclusion that the Lions are just “not very good,” recaps Zach McKinnell for Athlon Sports. The former Alabama quarterback acknowledged that saying such a thing about a top-10 team is “blasphemous,” but his reason is based on, you guessed it, a lack of offense. McElroy tore down the passing game options and called the whole unit “very, very inept.”

Franklin was asked directly about the sign-stealing scandal at Michigan, where a football staffer was alleged to have bought tickets for Big Ten games and recorded teams’ sideline signals. He indicated that’s always on the minds of his coaching staff and that the Lions made changes during their bye week, notes Craig Meyer for USA Today Network. The news around Michigan “magnifies” those efforts, Franklin said.

Those headlines and more highlight today’s Penn State football news roundup:

James Franklin: Michigan sign-stealing scandal ‘magnifies’ Penn State’s efforts at disguise: Meyer [USA Today Network]

Greg McElroy says top Big Ten team is ‘not very good’: McKinnell [Athlon Sports]

Penn State loses offensive identity against Ohio State: Press conference recap: Carr [Blue-White Illustrated]

Penn State’s James Franklin provides injury updates on Amin Vanover, JB Nelson ahead of Indiana: McGonigal [PennLive]

Why Penn State’s loss to Ohio State was a giant missed opportunity: Blue-White Breakdown: Flounders [PennLive]

Penn State vs. Indiana prediction and game preview: Fiutak [College Football News]

Penn State redshirt report: Which first-year Nittany Lions played at Ohio State?: Pickel [Blue-White Illustrated]

29 random thoughts from the Ohio State game: Koerbler [Black Shoe Diaries]

Premium articles ($):

Penn State-Indiana game predictions: Lions expected back in win column, but can they avoid a slow start?: Hockensmith [PennLive]

Penn State-Indiana matchup: Key players, positions for Lions, Hoosiers: Flounders [PennLive]

Penn State’s offense is ranked 79th in FBS in passing yards per game … will that number get better or worse?: Flounders [PennLive]

Penn State’s James Franklin on how Drew Allar, Mike Yurcich have handled Ohio State fallout: McGonigal [PennLive]

Trimmings: What does Penn State have in the younger ranks at wide receiver?: Fitz [Blue-White Illustrated]

Can Penn State football recover after Ohio State loss? Can the program be elite? Mailbag: Snyder [The Athletic]

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