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Big Ten coaches say James Franklin’s career is on the line in 2025
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James Franklin shed the albatross last season with wins over SMU and Boise State in the first and second rounds, respectively, of the College Football Playoff. The coach who couldn’t win a big game managed to get his team to the doorstep of the CFP National Championship.
But Penn State came up short in the semifinals, losing to Notre Dame 27-24 in a game that featured an inexplicable fourth-quarter interception from quarterback Drew Allar and 0 combined receptions from Penn State wide receivers. James Franklin detractors argued the path for Penn State through the opening 2 rounds was the easiest of any Playoff participant. And Penn State lost an eighth straight game to Ohio State during the regular season.
If you ask some, Franklin still hasn’t kicked the big game narrative. With Allar leading a massive contingent of Nittany Lions back to University Park for the 2025 season, there are zero excuses for Franklin this upcoming fall. Coaches, under the veil of anonymity, told Athlon Sports that Franklin has one of the most talented teams in the country.
“This is the best roster in [James] Franklin’s time there, and they’re probably a favorite to win the league entering the season,” one coach told Athlon.
Added another: “They’re national title contenders because of the backfield. It would be hard to find a better overall group than [Drew] Allar and the two backs.”
Per the latest national championship odds, Penn State is viewed alongside Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas as the favorites entering the 2025 season. The Nittany Lions will be among the teams with the shortest odds to make the Playoff, as well.
Penn State will host Oregon on Sept. 27 and travel to Ohio State on Nov. 1. If Penn State loses both, Franklin will be a mainstay on the First Take chyron. But, in the 12-team CFP, what happens in December and January is ultimately more important. Ohio State lost its 2 biggest regular-season games last fall and won a title anyway.
And Franklin’s peers around the Big Ten say that ultimate goal will serve as the ultimate judgement.
“This is the season James Franklin’s entire coaching career could be judged by,” one coach told Athlon. “If they can’t change their big-game problems with this group, it’s not happening.”
No pressure.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.