Is time running out for James Franklin at Penn State? originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
James Franklin has built Penn State to be at the pinnacle of the CFP every year since its existence in 2015. They have had top recruiting classes, New Year’s Six Bowls, and multiple dominating performances. Yet, they can’t win the big games when it matters. Big Ten teams like Ohio State and Michigan dominate the conference and CFP. With the continuous expansion of the playoffs, Franklin’s window to deliver on championship expectations is narrowing.
Advertisement
The Nittany Lions were ranked No. 2 in the preseason polls and remained there until their week 4 loss to Oregon. They are now unranked at 3-2.
Penn State dropped its second straight game to a winless UCLA team. The offense looked inferior, only scoring seven points, being down 27-7 at halftime. Drew Allar looked uncomfortable and out of rhythm for the entirety of the first half and it led to the struggles for the offense. On the other side, the defense also never showed up. Giving up 42 points will not get many wins.
Prior to the UCLA loss was a 30-24 double overtime loss to then 6th-ranked Oregon. Allar looked even worse against the ducks by not even getting 150 passing yards and throwing his only interception in a game-sealing moment.
Franklin has shown time and time again that he can’t win competitive games when they matter and even suffer upset losses. He has only one win against Big Ten top 10 opponents and is 4-21 all-time against top 10 opponents. UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper also has one win against Big Ten top 10 opponents with his win coming against Franklin.
Advertisement
When Franklin was hired as head coach in 2014 and he promised to get things fixed. Since his hiring, the Nittany Lions have only appeared in two Big Ten Championship games in 2016 and 2024. It’s been nearly a decade since their lone conference title over Wisconsin in Franklin’s third season as head coach.
With the loss to UCLA, Penn State already has two conference losses which makes their chances of making another Big Ten championship appearance unlikely. The Nittany Lions still have two ranked opponents left on the schedule, Ohio State and Indiana, both top 10 opponents. Based on the history of Franklin, these are almost guaranteed losses and another disappointing season.
Is James Franklin the answer Happy Valley?
Penn State faces off at home against Northwestern on Saturday, October 11 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Advertisement
