By Jeffery Green | @Jeffery_AGreen
Sports Capital Journalism Program
DANIA BEACH, Fla. — “Nobody feels 100% right now,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Wednesday morning, describing the state of his players near the end of the longest season. Heading into the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl, Notre Dame and Penn State are getting ready for what will be a 15th and 16th game, respectively, the most games in each school’s history.
In what is close to a full 17-game National Football League season, the expanded College Football Playoff has required teams to adapt in ways that were unnecessary not long ago. Freeman and Penn State coach James Franklin understood that their teams would have to be flexible to the challenges; not just to make the 12-team playoff, but to advance in the longest season in modern college football history.
“You’ve got to be willing to adapt based off the unpredictable things that can happen,” Freeman said, “and that’s what we’ve been able to do, and I feel like our guys will be physically ready to roll.”
The creation and development of depth has been central to that flexibility. “You’ve got to be willing to play guys,” Franklin said. “That’s been something we’ve done all the way since my time at Vanderbilt, trying to create depth by playing guys.”
Penn State wide receiver Liam Clifford talked about the approach Penn State has taken this year. “The mindset doesn’t change every week for us,” he said. “… Just being consistent in our preparation, keeping the week very similar to how it’s been every single week this year. And just having that 1-0 mentality that we always talk about. Taking it day-by-day, taking each meeting step-by-step and then ultimately being prepared for the game when it comes on Thursday.
Franklin spoke of the contribution of Dr. Andrew Nelson, a former Penn State football player who was appointed Director of Performance Science last April. “He does a good job of tying it all together,” Franklin said. “The coaching, our training, doctors, as well as the strength coaches, and making sure that the complete plan makes sense. What we’re doing in the weight room complements what we’re doing on the field and the same thing with the trainers and doctors. That’s been really valuable.”
Notre Dame, as an independent in football, used the first week of December as a bye week while other championship contenders prepared for conference championship games.
In a season full of questions about how the changing economics of the sport has influenced roster management, the importance of depth is at an all-time high. With important players such as Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter planning to play after dealing with recent injuries, Freeman and Franklin realize their teams might have to rely on players that will need to step up with the lights brighter than ever before.
Notre Dame’s preparation became complicated by the postponement of the Sugar Bowl after the New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Penn State, which won the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve, had two extra days to prepare. “I think the coaches, we probably were a little bit behind to start just because of the travel in that aspect,” Freeman said. “…But we’ve got to utilize every minute we have from now until tomorrow night at 7:30.”
Franklin questioned whether the new system “is really what it was designed to be. When every decision that we make is based on finances,” he said, “then we’re not making great decisions that’s in the student athlete and the game of football’s best interest.”
Franklin repeated his suggestion for a commissioner to play an essential decision-making role, and mentioned potential candidates including former Alabama coach Nick Saban, former Washington coach Chris Petersen and former Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson. Franklin advocated for a consistent number of conference games across the country and an earlier start to the season to relieve the pressures at the end.
“I think there’s just a ton of things that need to be discussed and looked at,” Franklin said.
