James Franklin has said many times that he’s an emotional person.

He proved it following Penn State’s 27-26 loss to Ohio State, bringing plenty of fiery emotion and energy to the post-game press conference late Saturday evening:

ESPN college football analyst and radio personality Paul Finebaum says take it with a grain of salt. He believes the soundbites were pure rubbish:

“That was pure poppycock,” Finebaum said during Sunday’s appearance on SportsCenter. “Listen, they played well, but they had a total meltdown at the end of the game and he comes in without drivel. It has nothing to do with getting up in the morning, getting to class and has everything to do with that final play call. Own it. Don’t spin it. James Franklin is a very good football coach. He’s not a great football coach, nor is Penn State a great program, it’s very good and trying to get to that level.

“Just stop all the nonsense and take responsibility. Enough of this. I hear this every time Penn State loses a football game. He’s a very good football coach. He’s not Urban Meyer.”

That’s one way to look at it.

Franklin clearly blamed himself. But he also said he will demand more from his staff and players to do a better job of paying attention to details.

“We are going to find a way to be a great program — which we are — we lost to and elite program,” Franklin said. “We’re that close. But we have gotten comfortable being great. We will no longer be comfortable being great. … We’ve been knocking at the door long enough.

“We are going to get this done,” he added. “I give you my word.”

There’s still a lot of football to be played this season, and Penn State (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) will need to get over this loss quickly in order to remain in competition for a playoff appearance or New Year’s Six bowl game.