(6) Oregon at (3) Penn State: Has Penn State Hit Its Ceiling Under James Franklin?
James Franklin and big games, a match made in Hell.
Every season, we are inundated with the old “James Franklin can’t win the big game” narrative. At a certain point, you either have to put up or shut up. Penn State under Franklin has been one of the best programs and most consistent in college football. Unfortunately, it just can’t get over that hump.
Last year, the Nittany Lions fell at home to Ohio State after the Buckeyes spotted them 10 points. Those concerns were not put to bed despite Penn State’s run in the College Football Playoff. The Nittany Lions beat SMU and Boise State before falling to Notre Dame. SMU was a controversial addition (to some), and many did not believe it even belonged. Boise State, despite being a Group of 5 blueblood, is still a Group of 5 program, so Penn State could not lose. When it faced a great team in Notre Dame, Franklin blinked.
It was the same on Saturday. Oregon got out to an impressive 17-3 lead before Penn State came storming back to force overtime. It was an evenly-matched heavyweight battle. These two teams should be expected to make the CFP again and have what it takes to make a run, at least on paper.
In OT, the Nittany Lions struck first. Then, Oregon answered after having to convert on a fourth-and-one.
On the first play of the second overtime period, the Ducks scored. Penn State almost made things interesting with an interception and a near-return for its own two-point play. With the game in the balance, Drew Allar underthrew his receiver on the first snap of the drive, and Dillon Thieneman made an incredible play to steal the win for Oregon.
Plenty of programs would kill to be in Penn State’s shoes. The Nittany Lions are always contenders and one of the best in the nation, but are never able to take the next step. Has it hit its ceiling under Franklin? He’s now 2-21 against teams ranked in the top six of the AP Poll. He has lost 15 such matchups in a row.
Honestly, we should be focusing on the fact that Dante Moore is a certified dawg.
