Penn State will play on the road for the first time in the 2023 season in Week 3 when they open Big Ten play against Illinois. The Nittany Lions are preparing for a noon eastern kickoff time against the Illini, who are looking to rebound from a tough start to the season. While things have gone smoothly for Penn State with a comfortable season-opening victory over West Virginia and a dominant blowout of Delaware, Illinois struggled to get by Toledo and took a licking on the road at Kansas in Week 2.
Penn State head coach James Franklin knows his team will be in for a challenge against an Illini team that has plenty of talent on defense and will be looking to get straightened out this weekend. During his weekly press conference with the media, Franklin provided his quick initial thoughts on some of the key players his staff and team have been preparing for.