Penn State HC addresses cheating scandal ahead of matchup vs. Michigan

Penn State head coach James Franklin knows his 8-1 and No. 11 ranked Nittany Lions have a massive test ahead of them. Up next on the schedule is No. 3 Michigan, currently undefeated and one of the favorites to win the College Football Playoff.

This would be a huge game no matter the circumstances, but there's another level of intrigue surrounding this contest. Michigan has been at the center of a sign-stealing controversy that could see Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh suspended for the contest.

Talk about a distraction, this is a story that could very well upend Michigan's season but it also could be threatening to Penn State's focus as well heading into this contest. After all, if the Nittany Lions are more concerned about whether or not Michigan has been cheating and less about beating the Wolverines on the field, that could lead to sloppy play.

For his part, Franklin is trying to make sure that his program stays focused and between the lines.

“I know these questions are gonna come this week,” Franklin said in a recent news conference (h/t On3). “I’m gonna focus on the things that we can control."

For Franklin, it's more about beating the Michigan team that has shown up on film, between the white lines. And to be frank, that team is very good.

“I’m focused on all the stuff I see on film. That’s what we’re focused on is all the stuff we see on film. Their players, their scheme. When I say, ‘see on film’ what we see on the coaches’ copy of the film, the stuff that’s going on between the sidelines. The 53 and a third. That’s what we’re focused on.”

The astute observer will notice that Franklin clarified that the film he's watching is the legally obtained coaches' copy. Former Michigan staffer Conner Stalions — who resigned last week — was at the center of the sign-stealing allegations. He had allegedly bought dozens of tickets that allowed him and a network of "spies" to record the sidelines of Michigan's opponents in an attempt to steal their signs ahead of games against U-of-M.