‘Tell you what’-All our efforts have failed! He won’t make it to the playoffs, Penn State and James Franklin cried out

All our efforts have been in vain! He won’t make it to the playoffs, Penn State and James Franklin expressed in frustration.

Abdul Carter left Penn State’s quarterfinal victory due to a left arm/shoulder injury and did not return, raising concerns about his availability for this week’s game. As the Nittany Lions gear up for the Orange Bowl semifinal against Notre Dame, head coach James Franklin indicated that the focus shouldn’t be solely on Carter’s availability.

“It will depend on how he feels and how much practice he can participate in during the week,” Franklin explained to reporters.

“As of now, there’s nothing preventing him from playing, but it will come down to how well he performs.”

“We’ll see. His mentality is great, and he’s excited for the week, but it’s still too early to decide.”

Franklin tends to keep injury details private before games, but his comments implied that, as of now, there’s no major hindrance to Carter’s participation in Thursday’s playoff game.

However, the bigger concern may be Carter’s effectiveness post-injury, a question that remains unanswered ahead of the game.

Carter’s role on the defensive line has been vital to Penn State’s success, contributing significantly to one of the most dominant defenses and top-ranked run defenses in college football this season.

This defense will face a tough test from Notre Dame’s high-powered offense, which boasts the 11th-ranked rushing attack, averaging 218 yards per game, and ranks fourth with 42 rushing touchdowns.

The Fighting Irish backfield features quarterback Riley Leonard, who has 831 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging over 5 yards per carry.

However, Notre Dame’s passing game is ranked just 108th in FBS, averaging under 189 yards per game, with Leonard struggling to complete just 4 yards per attempt under pressure.

Carter’s absence in the quarterfinals hindered Penn State’s ability to pressure Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen.

A projected Top 10 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, Carter has been the Nittany Lions’ most impactful defensive player, recording 22 tackles for loss and 11 sacks after switching from linebacker to defensive end.

If Carter can’t play at full strength, Penn State still has capable alternatives in Dani Dennis-Sutton and Amin Vanover to step up on the edge.