Sometimes a great notion, but Will Stein, James Franklin dispel it

Aug 30, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin talks with quarterback Drew Allar (15) during the first quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn ImagesFans invest a lot of mental energy into the idea that teams go "plain vanilla" in early-season games and hold out a large part of their offense for tougher opponents.

Penn State head coach James Franklin put that idea into a sleeper hold in his Monday press conference, "Are you saving things? I think you're always-- I don't know if saving is the idea but you've done some offseason studies where there's…