Why the College Football Playoffs Matter for James Franklin
After losing to number one Oregon in the Big Ten Championship, Penn State drew the sixth seed in the College Football Playoffs facing off against SMU on Saturday. James Franklin and Penn State have one of the easiest paths to the National Championship game, facing SMU and Boise State, and then the winner of Notre Dame and Indiana or Georgia. James Franklin was hired at Penn State back in 2014, making it to two Big Ten Championships and winning one in 2016. Franklin also had his biggest win at Penn State in 2016 against number two Ohio State when Grant Haley took a blocked field goal back for a touchdown.
Franklin signed a new ten-year contract in 2021, extending him through 2031 at Penn State. In his career at Penn State, Franklin is 95-40 winning 70% of his games. However, he is 1-18 against top-five teams and 1-9 against Ohio State. Finishing 11-2 with losses against Oregon and Ohio State, this is one of Franklin's best seasons at Penn State led by Quarterback Drew Allar and Tyler Warren, who finished seventh in the Heisman voting.
With Franklin's poor record against top teams, the Playoffs are going to be a test for Penn State. A lot of reporters have Penn State in the Championship game, so it is important for Franklin to prove that he deserves to be at a program like Penn State. With an explosive defense led by Abdul Carter, and an Offense led by Allar and Warren, this is one of the best teams Franklin has brought in during his time at Penn State. James Franklin and Penn State's only losses this year came against number one Oregon and number three Ohio State. With SMU losing in the ACC against Clemson, Penn State is the heavy favorite at Home. If Penn State wins on Saturday, they get Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty in Boise State, the Group of Five team to make the playoffs. Franklin has a poor record against top teams, with the easiest path to the Championship game, Franklin needs to prove that he should be coaching in a top Program such as Penn State.
