Bill O’Brien’s been paying attention to his former employer’s magical run. The Houston Texans head coach praised the Nittany Lions and James Franklin on their season and berth to the Big Ten Championship earlier today. “I couldn’t be more proud of that program,” O’Brien said Monday to Chron.com. “A lot of those kids were there when we were there as a staff.”

Penn State heads into next Saturday’s game against Wisconsin with momentum from an eight-game win streak. O’Brien came to Penn State in 2012 and left to coach the Texans in 2014 after guiding the Lions to records of 8-4 and 7-5. “In 2012, people gave up on that program. It’s a great testament to that school and James Franklin’s staff that’s there now and especially those kids to come back from that and be playing in the Big 10 Championship Game when it was very close to the death penalty and SMU-type sanctions.”

Fellow Penn State Alum LaVar Arrington was thinking about his alma matter this week too in a conversation with former Wisconsin standout Ron Dayne.

We talking teams… Wanna come wit me?
STAGE IS SET BADGER STEW ON DECK
Love ya Great Dayne… But y'all gots to go down pic.twitter.com/kUSAfKVsAg

— LaVar Leap Arrington (@LaVarArrington) November 27, 2016

The Lions kick-off at Lucas Oil Stadium 8 p.m on Saturday.