Betting on Penn State against Ohio State is ignoring James Franklin and his clear limitations
On Saturday, we are set for another great slate of college football. The biggest game on the schedule is between the (4) Ohio State Buckeyes, who are traveling to Happy Valley to take on the (3) Penn State Nittany Lions in a top five matchup. This game is not only the best game on the […]
On Saturday, we are set for another great slate of college football. The biggest game on the schedule is between the (4) Ohio State Buckeyes, who are traveling to Happy Valley to take on the (3) Penn State Nittany Lions in a top five matchup. This game is not only the best game on the weekend schedule, but will have a big hand in deciding the Big Ten conference, and eventual seeding in the college football playoffs.
With two such talented teams, each side has a clear path to victory in this one. There are also a tremendous amount of storylines, such as whether Penn State quarterback Drew Allar will be available. It’s also a really intriguing matchup of two head coaches that could use a big victory for their resume. For Nittany Lion head coach James Franklin, the odds seem especially stacked against him, failing more often than not during his tenure.
Since being hired by the program, Franklin has been talked about as one of the better head coaches in college football. When you look at his resume, it’s unclear why exactly that is the narrative out there. Coach Franklin has struggled mightily in the bigger games on his schedule, including holding a 3-18 record when facing off against top 10 opponents.
In this matchup against Ohio State this weekend, the Nittany Lions do have the home field advantage. Surely that increases their odds, right? Funny enough, Franklin has the same exact win percentage in such games at home, going 1-6 overall. No matter where the game has been played, Franklin has fallen just as flat against top competition.
One interesting note is that one of Franklin’s top 10 wins did come against Ohio State back in 2017. In that contest, the Nittany Lions scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to come from behind and win 24-21. In that particular game, Penn State was led by quarterback Trace McSorley, who completed just 8 of 23 passes.
That victory over the Buckeyes was the one and only win for Franklin during his tenure. His overall record currently sits at 1-9 against Ohio State. That isn’t exactly a resume that screams optimism.
On the other side, Ryan Day has had his own struggles in bigger games, but not nearly to the level of Coach Franklin. If you are a Penn State fan or supporter, you are entering this week with cautious optimism. This program under Franklin has done little to make you feel like this will be a victory on Saturday, even in your home stadium.
