FOOTBALL

Saquon Barkley primed for Big Ten title blast?

Frank Bodani

fbodani@ydr.com

INDIANAPOLIS — The Saquon Barkley Love Fest continued to grow on the eve of Penn State's first Big Ten Championship Game.

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst praised Penn State and James Franklin for the Lions' continual improvement during the season. The two worked a camp together when Chryst coached Pitt but don't know each other well. Now, they meet for the Big Ten title.

It began much earlier with questions and worry about the sophomore tailback's playing status here against Wisconsin in Lucas Oil Stadium. He hasn't finished either of the past two games because of injury, and he struggled to put any weight on his right foot and ankle at the end of the victory over Michigan State.

Then came winning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Now comes the proclamation from head coach James Franklin that he will not only play Saturday evening but "has looked great" preparing for the Badgers and the toughest defense Penn State has seen since September in Michigan.

"Honestly, I know a lot of times coaches get up and say that and it's a smoke screen. But he's practiced all week long," Franklin said during Friday afternoon's joint head coaches' press conference.

He also mentioned that, as well as Barkley has been playing, "he's doing just as well in the classroom. He's probably doing better in the community. He's been great when it comes to community service, how he's handled all this success that's happened so quickly for him. He's handled it better probably than any young player I've ever been around."

Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst smiled when asked about Barkley: "I enjoyed watching him until we started getting ready to play this week. ... He can make things happen even when he's not necessarily blocked clean."

Saquon Barkley has been proclaimed ready for action in Saturday's Big Ten Championship Game despite an ankle injury last Saturday. Earlier, ESPN's David Pollack said Barkley could star for any top team in the nation.

But the most effusive praise of the day came a bit earlier during a small-group, lobby interview with ESPN analyst David Pollack.

He talked about Barkley being one of the nation's top three tailback talents even before this season.

"I know the (Penn State) backups are capable, blah, blah, blah. But the backups aren't Saquon.

"There's not a hole in his game. I don't think there's anything in his game he doesn't do well. I'm a huge Saquon Barkley fan," Pollack said before pausing a bit.

"Listen, his numbers aren't great. Don't get it twisted. Just because I love Barkley doesn’t mean this offensive line can block. They're not great. You can spin it however you want, they're not good up front. They don't blow people off the ball."

Pollack said Barkley is one of the only position players in the country who could start on all of the nation's top-rated teams: Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson.

James Franklin praised star tailback Saquon Barkley on the eve of the Big Ten Championship Game: "I think is
going to keep 'em honest. He's had one of these years ... where he kind of pounds and struggles and fights and scratches and
crawls for any yards he can get. Then usually at some point during the game, usually at a critical time, he breaks a big one for us."

When asked about the matchup against Wisconsin, Pollack said it may come down to who makes fewer mistakes — and quarterback Trace McSorley's mobility against a fearsome pass rush.

"I see the first one to 17 wins. Wisconsin's defense has been good all year ... I think they will give Penn State all they can handle."

The most startling thing about the Nittany Lions to Pollack and ESPN's Desmond Howard is how they look like a completely different team since defeating Ohio State.

Other than that, there's this.

"I didn't think there was any way in Hades" Pollack said, "Ohio State or Michigan wouldn't be here right now."