James Franklin doubts the importance of beating Pittsburgh for winning over a recruit

Penn State-Pittsburgh is a rivalry in college football.

We know the two in-state schools don’t like each other, but James Franklin’s Nittany Lions continue to take each and every opponent one at a time. One opponent is not more important than any other.

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But, what about when it comes to recruiting? How much more important is it to a local recruit if Penn State beats Pittsburgh or vice versa?

Franklin downplayed the importance of it on Tuesday when talking with the media:

Franklin on recruiting Pittsburgh and if this game has an importance in that regard: "I don't think people are choosing a school based on one game. … I don't know if it's as significant as people think."

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 10, 2019

Franklin may be right here. Although, if Penn State were to get upset and a recruit is legitimately debating between the two schools as to where he should go, a Pittsburgh upset and the buzz behind that could make a difference in that player’s decision. How much?

Maybe Franklin’s right in that it wouldn’t make much of a difference. There are many other contributing factors outside of just which team wins one game.