Less than a year removed from guiding Penn State to two victories in the College Football Playoff, head coach James Franklin finds himself at the center of criticism following a tough loss to the Oregon Ducks. The Nittany Lions, ranked No. 3, fell 30-24 in a double-overtime thriller at Beaver Stadium, a game that was billed as one of the season’s marquee matchups.

The defeat reignited familiar concerns about Franklin’s ability to win on the biggest stage. On Thursday’s episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer joined the show to discuss Franklin’s legacy.

Cowherd suggested that, for the first time, Franklin truly deserves the criticism he’s receiving. Meyer, however, offered a more measured perspective, emphasizing that it’s premature to dismiss Franklin’s contributions to the program.

James Franklin gets Urban Meyer’s seal of approval for Penn State job

Meyer acknowledged the disappointment but stressed the importance of evaluating Franklin’s entire body of work. “It’s not time to turn the page,” Meyer said, firmly supporting the embattled coach.

“It certainly is fair whenever you’re at a blueblood place, and Penn State is,” Meyer said. “But I brought this up on Big Noon, Colin, I might have said this to you last week. I’ve been in Columbus when you lose a game and walking out that stadium and life ends as you know it. I mean, the world goes dark.”

“In Ann Arbor, you lose a game and I mean the nasty, etc., etc. that you see there,” Meyer said. “Penn State, the pageantry, the White Out is second to none. However, I’ve been at Penn State when we’ve won some close games and I walk off the field and, you know, it’s, ‘Hey coach, see you in a couple years,’ and the nicest people. And I’m thinking, I wonder if deep down, I’m not saying it’s good enough, it’s just not life or death.”

“I think he’s doing a great job,” Meyer said of James Franklin. “I think you talk, Ryan Day‘s got a Wolverine problem, and Penn State’s got a couple problems; Oregon. Everyone’s just got their little flaws they’ve got to work out. So is criticism right, to answer your question? Yes. Is it time to make a change or even talk about that? Absolutely not.”

James Franklin’s Penn State Tenure: A Legacy of Success and Shortcomings

Since taking over as head coach in 2014, Franklin has transformed Penn State into a consistent national contender. With an overall record of 104-42 in 12 seasons, Franklin ranks second in all-time wins at Penn State, trailing only Joe Paterno. Under Franklin’s leadership, the Nittany Lions have enjoyed six seasons with double-digit wins, captured a Big Ten Championship in 2016, and made their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2024.

Franklin’s tenure has also included three New Year’s Six bowl victories: the 2017 Fiesta Bowl, 2019 Cotton Bowl, and 2023 Rose Bowl. These wins have helped reestablish Penn State as a powerhouse in college football, particularly after the program’s struggles following NCAA sanctions.

However, despite these accomplishments, Franklin’s record against elite competition remains a glaring blemish. His teams have consistently faltered in high-stakes matchups, particularly against top-10 opponents. As of October 2025, Franklin holds a 4-21 record against AP top-10 teams during his time at Penn State. This includes a 1-18 mark against top-10 Big Ten teams, with most of those losses coming at the hands of Ohio State and Michigan.

Notably, Franklin’s only top-10 victories came in 2016 against No. 2 Ohio State and No. 6 Wisconsin, and more recently against No. 8 Boise State in the 2024 College Football Playoff quarterfinals. These wins showcased the potential of Franklin’s teams to rise to the occasion, but such moments have been few and far between.

The inability to consistently win marquee games has led to growing frustration among the Penn State fan base. Franklin himself has acknowledged the criticism, stating, “I get that narrative, and it’s really not a narrative — it’s factual. It’s the facts. I take ownership. I take responsibility”.

As the 2025 season progresses, Franklin faces mounting pressure to reverse this trend. With another showdown against top-ranked Ohio State looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A win could silence critics and reaffirm his place among college football’s elite. A loss, however, would only deepen the questions surrounding his legacy in Happy Valley.