"You’ve got to be willing to play guys": James Franklin addresses biggest challenges of college football's new reality

Penn State Nittany Lions coach James Franklin believes extending the college football season has made it more difficult for coaches and programs. College football expanded from four to 12 playoff teams this season.

The college football season is ongoing as the semifinals are on Thursday and Friday and the National Championship on Jan. 20. With the season extended, Franklin says being open-minded about everything is key.

“I think you’re going to have to be open minded,” Franklin said, via On3. “You’re going to have to be creative. You’re going to have to be flexible. And we have tried to do that. I think the sports scientists that everybody is using now, we are fortunate to have a young man by the name of Andrew Nelson, Dr. Andrew Nelson.

I think another thing that I would say is how important depth and development in your program is. You’ve got to be willing to play guys, and that’s been something that we’ve done all the way back since my time at Vanderbilt, trying to create depth by playing guys."

The Nittany Lions are one of the four remaining teams. Penn State will play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Thursday in the semifinal.

James Franklin says decisions need to be made to benefit the student-athletes

Although college football is a lucrative endeavor for schools, James Franklin said students are still playing the game.

With the season extended, which will pocket schools more money, the Penn State coach says the NCAA needs to start making decisions for student-athletes.

“But I will also say this: I think it’s something that we’re going to have to look at in terms of what’s best for college football, what’s best for the student-athlete experience, what’s best in a university setting, because I don’t know if this is really what it was designed to be,” Franklin said. “It’s turned into that.

I know a lot of times when coaches talk like this people roll their eyes, but I think when every decision that we make is based on finances, then we’re not making great decisions that’s in the student-athlete and the game of football’s best interest.”

Penn State is a 1.5-point underdog against Notre Dame.