James Franklin appears to take shot at Michigan for weak nonconference schedule
James Franklin appeared to take a shot at Jim Harbaugh and Michigan Tuesday afternoon while meeting with reporters ahead of Week 7.
Franklin told reporters there’s a team in the B1G who is buying out “a ton” of game contracts to do “whatever you possibly can to give yourself a chance to be undefeated.”
It appears Franklin could be saying Michigan – as it seems highly likely he’s alluding to – is shirking competition in favor of an easier path to the College Football Playoff. It could also be a compliment, not a dig if you look at it through the right lens.
Other reports have noted that Harbaugh instead may have been referring to Indiana backing out of its series against Louisville.
However you want to read into it, here’s a look at what he said:
James Franklin on scheduling weak Out of Conference Opponents:
“There’s a team in this conference that’s buying out a ton of game contracts to go in another direction. You gotta do whatever you possibly can to give yourself a chance to be undefeated.”
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) October 10, 2023
Many fans were quick to point out that the Nittany Lions don’t exactly have a world-killer on their upcoming schedule. The Nittany Lions face off against UMass this weekend. Penn State’s other nonconference opponents were West Virginia and Delaware.
Still, it’s not an unfair criticism (if that’s what it was) from Franklin. The Wolverines’ nonconference schedule this season pitted them against East Carolina, Bowling Green and UNLV. Last season, the Wolverines faced off against Hawaii, Colorado State and UConn.
Give Indiana football that schedule alone and the Hoosiers are likely to win all 6. (Sorry, Indiana fans.)
On an entirely unrelated note, Penn State hosts Michigan on November 11 looking to prove its legitimacy as a national title contender.