Pitt-PSU bowl game a possibility; Latest on Lions' QB situation: Newsstand

All of the talk surrounding the Penn State football program is focused on the quarterback position.

That shouldn't come as a surprise, as James Franklin's game week news conference on Tuesday was dominated by questions about starter Sean Clifford's status in addition to how the practice plan will work for backups Ta'Quan Roberson and Christian Veilleux ahead of a Noon meeting with Illinois on Saturday.

There are other Nittany Lions and college football headlines and tweets to know about, of course, including one tied to bowl games. Let's get into the newsstand for Oct. 20.

We'll start with a big rundown of reporter takeaways from Franklin's hourlong question and answer session yesterday.

According to ESPN's SP+ statistical model, despite all the uncertainties under center, Penn State is still expected to win big on Saturday.

Lions end Jesse Luketa received a shoutout from the Senior Bowl for his play over the first six weeks of the season.

The Penn State-Michigan White Out game a few years back is what sealed the deal for Zakee Wheatley to pick the Lions, his father tweeted Tuesday. Earlier in the day, receiver Cam Sullivan-Brown singled out Wheatley as a younger defender who is doing well.

Ta’Quan Roberson: Penn State QB and former DePaul star has coach John McKenna in his corner: Cooper, NorthJersey.com

James Franklin shares Penn State quarterback room update before Illinois: Pickel, BWI

Could Penn State Have Looked Deeper for a Transfer Quarterback?: Wogenrich, SI

BWI Daily: Penn State football second half predictions: Eckert and Carr, BWI

Penn State will have a QB competition this week, but why?: Giger, DKPittsburghSports

Penn State football: Franklin evaluates DT picture after Mustipher injury: Eckert, BWI

Penn State’s 4 keys: The Lions’ path to a triumph over Illinois Saturday at Beaver Stadium: Flounders, PennLive

Watch Penn State head coach James Franklin's Tuesday press conference: Snyder, BWI

A Pitt-Penn State New Year's Six matchup is a possibility, and the Peach Bowl is watching: Bittner, PPG

PSU true freshmen green, yellow, red light tracker after six weeks: Pickel, BWI

Roberson Latest In Long Line Of Backups Thrust Into Bigger Role: Jones, Statecollege.com

Penn State coach James Franklin, staff keeping tabs on pending decisions: Bauer, BWI

"There is also growth you're looking for. A player that's been in the program for a couple years should really be widening that gap and a player that's been in the program less amount of time, he's got to close that gap as much as he possibly can. But you also have to factor in the number of reps that they been able to get in practice and the number of reps they been able to hopefully get in games. So, it's not oranges to oranges. It's not even. That also makes the argument if it's close, it really shouldn't be, right?

"The guy that's been in the program for a long time and the guy that's getting the most reps should be able to widen that gap. Right now, it's somewhat close. So, I got a meeting with both of those guys today, and kind of challenged both of them and let them know that we're going to be evaluating everything."

--PSU coach James Franklin on splitting reps between Ta'Quan Roberson and Christian Veilleux this week after saying Roberson was the clear No. 2 back during spring practice.

*******

• Talk about this article inside The Lions Den

• Watch our videos and subscribe to our YouTube channel

• Sign up for our daily newsletter and breaking news alerts

• Learn more about our print and digital publication, Blue-White Illustrated

• Follow us on Twitter: @BWIonRivals, @NateBauerBWI, @RivalsSnyder, @DavidEckert98, @GregPickel, @ThomasFrankCarr

• Follow us on Instagram

• Like us on Facebook