Alarming James Franklin stats as head coach at Penn St

[Ole Ted]

Lions are 2-15 vs top 10 teams and 1-10 vs top 5 teams.

Since taking over duties In Happy Valley in 2014, the lions are 1-8 vs Ohio St and 3-6 vs Michigan.

The 10 yr $70 million extension definitely raises eyebrows.

Are lions fans content only beating Indiana and Northwestern every year? If so, Franklin is your man

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

Lions are 2-15 vs top 10 teams and 1-10 vs top 5 teams.

Since taking over duties In Happy Valley in 2014, the lions are 1-8 vs Ohio St and 3-6 vs Michigan.

The 10 yr $70 million extension definitely raises eyebrows.

Are lions fans content only beating Indiana and Northwestern every year? If so, Franklin is your man

A little random there

 

[jimarnp]

Lions are 2-15 vs top 10 teams and 1-10 vs top 5 teams.

Since taking over duties In Happy Valley in 2014, the lions are 1-8 vs Ohio St and 3-6 vs Michigan.

The 10 yr $70 million extension definitely raises eyebrows.

Are lions fans content only beating Indiana and Northwestern every year? If so, Franklin is your man

Again?….. Seriously?. Did Franklin “F” your girlfriend at the prom or something?

—The post 2011 sanctions were the worst in history, and they absolutely affected this team in terms of recruiting and depth until at least 2020 ( recouping depth). Despite this, Penn State won the BIG in 2016, had over 40 wins between 2016 and 2019, had 11 wins in 2022, won a Rose Bowl ( came within an eyelash of winning another Rose Bowl, as our lack of depth from said sanctions jumped up to bite us), won a Fiesta Bowl, Won a Cotton Bowl. The Covid 2020 season was an absolute Charlie Foxtrot in the BIG, and became little more than “scrimmages”……and should be viewed as such. This team was top 5 in 2021 as they pulled into Iowa before our best offensive ( Clifford) and best defensive ( Mustipher) players were lost for the season. — The only major negatives that Franklin “owns” ( IMO), are 2 Ohio State games that we were winning, outplaying, and ultimately lost, but should have won.……He also “owns” the aforementioned accolades. —- He’s a very good coach, and an outstanding recruiter and identifier/developer of talent…….and so far, has maintained “success with honor”

 

[Ole Ted]

Again? Seriously?. Did Franklin “F” your girlfriend at the prom or something?
—The post 2011 sanctions were the worst in history, and they absolutely affected this team in terms of recruiting and depth until at least 2020. Despite this, Penn State won the BIG in 2016, had over 40 wins between 2016 and 2019, had 11 wins in 2022, won a Rose Bowl ( came within an eyelash of winning another Rose Bowl, as our lack of depth from said sanctions jumped up to bite us), won a Fiesta Bowl, Won a Cotton Bowl. The Covid 2020 season was an absolute Charlie Foxtrot in the BIG, and became little more than “scrimmages”……and should be viewed as such. This team was top 5 in 2021 as they pulled into Iowa before our best offensive ( Clifford) and best defensive ( Mustipher) were lost for the season. — The only major negatives that Franklin “owns” ( IMO), are 2 Ohio State games that we were winning, outplaying, and ultimately lost, but should have won.……He also “owns” the aforementioned accolades. —- He’s a very good coach, and an outstanding recruiter and identifier/developer of talent…….and so far, has maintained “success with honor”

$70 million to go 4-14 against Ohio St & Michigan. Absolutely abysmal record vs top 10 teams.

The bar is evidently really low for Pennsylvania football.

 

[mgkpsu]

Again? Seriously?. Did Franklin “F” your girlfriend at the prom or something?
—The post 2011 sanctions were the worst in history, and they absolutely affected this team in terms of recruiting and depth until at least 2020. Despite this, Penn State won the BIG in 2016, had over 40 wins between 2016 and 2019, had 11 wins in 2022, won a Rose Bowl ( came within an eyelash of winning another Rose Bowl, as our lack of depth from said sanctions jumped up to bite us), won a Fiesta Bowl, Won a Cotton Bowl. The Covid 2020 season was an absolute Charlie Foxtrot in the BIG, and became little more than “scrimmages”……and should be viewed as such. This team was top 5 in 2021 as they pulled into Iowa before our best offensive ( Clifford) and best defensive ( Mustipher) were lost for the season. — The only major negatives that Franklin “owns” ( IMO), are 2 Ohio State games that we were winning, outplaying, and ultimately lost, but should have won.……He also “owns” the aforementioned accolades. —- He’s a very good coach, and an outstanding recruiter and identifier/developer of talent…….and so far, has maintained “success with honor”

Affect of sanctions until 2020? Seriously, dude?

 

[jimarnp]

Affect of sanctions until 2020? Seriously, dude?

Depth/negative PR

 

[Ole Ted]

Depth/negative PR

Don’t lose focus on the fact Franklin can’t win a big game.

$70 million? Just damn

 

[PSUCYCLING]

We are in a tough spot with Franklin. His record is just as good or better than Joe’s last 10 years. The question is, if we get rid of Franklin, will the next guy do better? I think that answer is at best 50/50.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

If you weren't afraid of Franklin, you wouldn't be making these troll arguments.

It's time now, Ole Meat beat, to take your favorite Hustler Magazine and head to the bathroom.

 

[wilbury]

Lions are 2-15 vs top 10 teams and 1-10 vs top 5 teams.

Since taking over duties In Happy Valley in 2014, the lions are 1-8 vs Ohio St and 3-6 vs Michigan.

The 10 yr $70 million extension definitely raises eyebrows.

Are lions fans content only beating Indiana and Northwestern every year? If so, Franklin is your man

You do realize how much money we make, right?

 

[4382]

Lions are 2-15 vs top 10 teams and 1-10 vs top 5 teams.

Since taking over duties In Happy Valley in 2014, the lions are 1-8 vs Ohio St and 3-6 vs Michigan.

The 10 yr $70 million extension definitely raises eyebrows.

Are lions fans content only beating Indiana and Northwestern every year? If so, Franklin is your man

Paterno was just as bad without sanctions:

Paterno was 13-33 against Top 10 team in his career. In his first 10 games against Top 5 teams he was 1-9. He was 6-10 vs Michigan and 9-13 vs Ohio State.

So I guess you think Paterno was a terrible coach right?

 

[Marylovesthelions]

If you weren't afraid of Franklin, you wouldn't be making these troll arguments.

It's time now, Ole Meat beat, to take your favorite Hustler Magazine and head to the bathroom. He is what he has accomplished but I see signs that he has added the tools needed to beat top 10 teams.

The inability to run the ball when ahead in the 4th quarter and almost always when you need to has been the biggest problem. Last year, we saw signs of finally getting a traditional Lion OL.

 

[4382]

Don’t lose focus on the fact Franklin can’t win a big game.

$70 million? Just damn

You do realize he is not even a Top 15 paid coach? Seriously what do you expect? Someone to work for under market rate just because Penn State is so special?

 

[4382]

Affect of sanctions until 2020? Seriously, dude?

Yes because it takes time to recover. Do you realize it took Alabama 6 years after their sanctions to fully recover and they didn't lose as many scholarships or have the PR that Penn State did.

 

[Lion_Backer]

Lions are 2-15 vs top 10 teams and 1-10 vs top 5 teams.

Since taking over duties In Happy Valley in 2014, the lions are 1-8 vs Ohio St and 3-6 vs Michigan.

The 10 yr $70 million extension definitely raises eyebrows.

Are lions fans content only beating Indiana and Northwestern every year? If so, Franklin is your man

Nothing Personal.....

 

[PSU2UNC]

Lions are 2-15 vs top 10 teams and 1-10 vs top 5 teams.

Since taking over duties In Happy Valley in 2014, the lions are 1-8 vs Ohio St and 3-6 vs Michigan.

The 10 yr $70 million extension definitely raises eyebrows.

Are lions fans content only beating Indiana and Northwestern every year? If so, Franklin is your man

How many of those games was PSU favored in?

 

[LandoComando]

Depth/negative PR

That's delusional
You can defend Franklin without making insane comments such as blaming the sanctions through 2020

 

[LandoComando]

How many of those games was PSU favored in?

Isn't that part of the problem? Why aren't we favored?
We need to start beating those teams--we all "get" that right?
Listen Old Ted is just crazy but there's some areas--starting with beating Michigan and Ohio State that must approve. Being content to be the third best team in the division isn't okay. Especially with USC joining we could easily be #4.

 

[heckmans]

Lions are 2-15 vs top 10 teams and 1-10 vs top 5 teams.

Since taking over duties In Happy Valley in 2014, the lions are 1-8 vs Ohio St and 3-6 vs Michigan.

The 10 yr $70 million extension definitely raises eyebrows.

Are lions fans content only beating Indiana and Northwestern every year? If so, Franklin is your man

The only question on this thread is why any member of this PSU board doesn't have Old Ted blocked, or at least refuse to respond.

The ironic part is the Meat Chicken coach is such a damn weirdo who has alienated every employer he's ever worked for, who picks his nose, who sleeps at the house of teenage boys he wishes to spend more time during their college years, who had he pay cut in half for getting his a** kicked every year, who flirts with leaving every year and will as soon as a desperate & delusional NFL owner overlooks his weirdness, and when that happens, meat chicken will be returned to its place of irrelevance that is has occupied for 25 years, sans the last 2.
The delusion of meat chicken fans is top notch.

 

[PSU2UNC]

Isn't that part of the problem? Why aren't we favored?
We need to start beating those teams--we all "get" that right?
Listen Old Ted is just crazy but there's some areas--starting with beating Michigan and Ohio State that must approve. Being content to be the third best team in the division isn't okay. Especially with USC joining we could easily be #4.

PSU is a better program than Michigan with better stability than Michigan. Recall Michigan's coaching turmoil prior to their current success -- before they caught lightning in a bottle (2021 and 2022) and during the James Franklin tenure at PSU, Michigan's record is 54-29. PSU is was 60-28 over that span (and that's not even factoring in the PSU was feeling the effects of sanctions in 2014 and 2015).

So I'd slow down with the narrative that PSU is the third best team in the conference.

OSU has recruited significantly better than PSU (or anyone else in the conference for that matter) and that's why they win. Are people really saying Franklin isn't a good enough recruiter?

 

[jimarnp]

That's delusional
You can defend Franklin without making insane comments such as blaming the sanctions through 2020

Not delusional. Real. —We were subjected to having 10 less scholarships per year from 2012 through 2015 ( we were given more ships per year after that). Not sure if the entirety was instituted, or they backed off a bit. But regardless, that put us down scholarship players for many years ( kids are here 4-5 years, so we were deficient 4 to 5 years after at least 2015 ). We basically had a 1 deep at many positions. It is just recently, that we are at 3 deep in many positions ( you know, like EVERYONE else). —So, we have been negatively effected, in a decreasing yearly manner , from 2012…..and as I mentioned, we are just now 3 deep. ( and this does not even address the negative recruitment which cost us quality players during this time period). Franklin, staff, and especially players , did a very good job given the circumstances. They persevered and excelled. Kudos to them

 

[Lion84]

Don’t lose focus on the fact Franklin can’t win a big game.

$70 million? Just damn

Why do you even care since you are a meatchicken fan you should only woryy about the nose picker running your team.

 

[bcspsu]

PSU is a better program than Michigan with better stability than Michigan. Recall Michigan's coaching turmoil prior to their current success -- before they caught lightning in a bottle (2021 and 2022) and during the James Franklin tenure at PSU, Michigan's record is 54-29. PSU is was 60-28 over that span (and that's not even factoring in the PSU was feeling the effects of sanctions in 2014 and 2015).

So I'd slow down with the narrative that PSU is the third best team in the conference.

OSU has recruited significantly better than PSU (or anyone else in the conference for that matter) and that's why they win. Are people really saying Franklin isn't a good enough recruiter?

After the 2020 debacle, Michigan's program was in a state of disarray and there was talk that Harbaugh would be replaced. I give him credit for making adjustments, such as going to a power running game, and they've had two great seasons in a row.

If you discount our debacle in 2020, since 2016, PSU has won 11 games in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022 and Fiesta, Cotton and Rose Bowls, and also has beaten Michigan three times. So this program has done a lot of good things, except be able to beat OSU on a more consistent basis, even though several of those games have been very close. My point is that with a few adjustments that Franklin needs to make, we definitely can do what Michigan has done the past two seasons because I consider those two programs to be on the same level.

 

[LandoComando]

Not delusional. Real. —We were subjected to having 10 less scholarships per year from 2012 through 2015 ( we were given more ships per year after that). Not sure if the entirety was instituted, or they backed off a bit. But regardless, that put us down scholarship players for many years ( kids are here 4-5 years, so we were deficient 4 to 5 years after that). We basically had a 1 deep at many positions. It is just recently, that we are at 3 deep in many positions ( you know, like EVERYONE else). —So, we have been negatively effected, in a decreasing yearly manner , from 2012…..and as I mentioned, we are just now 3 deep. ( and this does not even address the negative recruitment which cost us quality players during this time period). Franklin, staff, and especially players , did a very good job given the circumstances. They persevered and excelled. Kudos to them

This is delusional and beyond biased.

 

[LandoComando]

PSU is a better program than Michigan with better stability than Michigan. Recall Michigan's coaching turmoil prior to their current success -- before they caught lightning in a bottle (2021 and 2022) and during the James Franklin tenure at PSU, Michigan's record is 54-29. PSU is was 60-28 over that span (and that's not even factoring in the PSU was feeling the effects of sanctions in 2014 and 2015).

So I'd slow down with the narrative that PSU is the third best team in the conference.

OSU has recruited significantly better than PSU (or anyone else in the conference for that matter) and that's why they win. Are people really saying Franklin isn't a good enough recruiter?

Do you truly saying you don't believe the perception is nationally that we're the third best in the division?

I think Franklin is a great recruiter. I don't believe he's a great coach. Yet anyway but I also think he's worth the contract. Just needs to start beating Michigan and Ohio State.

 

[PSU2UNC]

Do you truly saying you don't believe the perception is nationally that we're the third best in the division?

I think Franklin is a great recruiter. I don't believe he's a great coach. Yet anyway but I also think he's worth the contract. Just needs to start beating Michigan and Ohio State.

I don't care what the national perception is; I'm telling you what the data suggests. If you only look at the past two years, you may be correct, but that's a short sighted approach.

Being the best in the best division in college football is hard. And it's harder to maintain. MSU had a moment where they were right there and then fell off a cliff.

 

[john4psu]

Lions are 2-15 vs top 10 teams and 1-10 vs top 5 teams.

Since taking over duties In Happy Valley in 2014, the lions are 1-8 vs Ohio St and 3-6 vs Michigan.

The 10 yr $70 million extension definitely raises eyebrows.

Are lions fans content only beating Indiana and Northwestern every year? If so, Franklin is your man

Paterno was 2-9 vs Lloyd Carr, 3-6 vs Jim Tressel, and 3-8 vs Kirk Ferentz. That’s 8-23 vs those three conference coaches.

So you think Paterno was a terrible coach too?

 

[bcspsu]

Do you truly saying you don't believe the perception is nationally that we're the third best in the division?

I think Franklin is a great recruiter. I don't believe he's a great coach. Yet anyway but I also think he's worth the contract. Just needs to start beating Michigan and Ohio State.

At this moment, PSU is third among those schools. However, being third among those schools still means that right now, PSU still is a top 7 to 10 program if not higher because you're talking about two playoff caliber programs. Also, between the end of the 2016 season through the 2020 season, PSU was second among those three schools, so there is fluctuation, especially between Michigan and PSU.

Also, sooner or later, OSU is going to experience a bit of a decline because it happens to all programs eventually; just look at how USC declined in the decade of the 2010s after being the program of the 2000s. I wouldn't be surprised if they actually lose 2 or 3 regular season games this upcoming season.

 

[LemonEars]

Don’t lose focus on the fact Franklin can’t win a big game.

$70 million? Just damn

So you say Franklin can't win a big game. The last game he coached was against a top 10 team with the Heisman winner at QB. Penn State blew them out.

Ole Ted -- you have had 22 posts and you come here posting smack. I suspect you are an a$$hole pitter. Why don't you go and make yourself useful by cleaning some soot off the Cathedral of Learning?

 

[Wallace Breen]

Again? Seriously?. Did Franklin “F” your girlfriend at the prom or something?
—The post 2011 sanctions were the worst in history, and they absolutely affected this team in terms of recruiting and depth until at least 2020 ( recouping depth). Despite this, Penn State won the BIG in 2016, had over 40 wins between 2016 and 2019, had 11 wins in 2022, won a Rose Bowl ( came within an eyelash of winning another Rose Bowl, as our lack of depth from said sanctions jumped up to bite us), won a Fiesta Bowl, Won a Cotton Bowl. The Covid 2020 season was an absolute Charlie Foxtrot in the BIG, and became little more than “scrimmages”……and should be viewed as such. This team was top 5 in 2021 as they pulled into Iowa before our best offensive ( Clifford) and best defensive ( Mustipher) players were lost for the season. — The only major negatives that Franklin “owns” ( IMO), are 2 Ohio State games that we were winning, outplaying, and ultimately lost, but should have won.……He also “owns” the aforementioned accolades. —- He’s a very good coach, and an outstanding recruiter and identifier/developer of talent…….and so far, has maintained “success with honor”

Ole Ted is a troll. Let him be. But please stop the excuse making. If anything, the sanctions proved that the 85 scholarship count should be dropped to 75 for everyone.

 

[PSU2UNC]

Ole Ted is a troll. Let him be. But please stop the excuse making. If anything, the sanctions proved that the 85 scholarship count should be dropped to 75 for everyone.

Context and excuses are not the same thing.

 

[bvillebaron]

$70 million to go 4-14 against Ohio St & Michigan. Absolutely abysmal record vs top 10 teams.

The bar is evidently really low for Pennsylvania football.

Not nearly as low as your "IQ"

 

[BBHorn86]

$70 million to go 4-14 against Ohio St & Michigan. Absolutely abysmal record vs top 10 teams.

The bar is evidently really low for Pennsylvania football.

Fair enough but who out there short of Nick Saben has a winning record against Ohio State in the last decade? Yes Harbaugh has won two straight but before that? In fairness we've been the only team in the B1G giving Ohio State a game over the past five or six seasons and as another post mentioned we had them down in the 4th quarter three times only to let those games slip away. Going forward I expect there to be much greater parity between the programs - especially because our OL will be able sustain drives on the ground to kill the clock.

 

[PSU2UNC]

Fair enough but who out there short of Nick Saben has a winning record against Ohio State in the last decade? Yes Harbaugh has won two straight but before that? In fairness we've been the only team in the B1G giving Ohio State a game over the past five or six seasons and as another post mentioned we had them down in the 4th quarter three times only to let those games slip away. Going forward I expect there to be much greater parity between the programs - especially because our OL will be able sustain drives on the ground to kill the clock.

I think the metric is also a bit flawed at least when comparing with other coaches. A large number of PSU's games against top 10 teams are against OSU, Michigan, with a few against MSU, Iowa, Wisconsin, plus bowl games (Utah, USC). Those are all pretty legit top ten teams (for the most part).

Keep in mind that these stats are the teams ranking at the time you play them, not the end of year ranking. So for example, last year OSU played Notre Dame in week one. Notre Dame was ranked fifth at the time. OSU wins and gets credit for a top five win. But Notre Dame wasn't a top five team (they finished ranked 18th with a 9-4 record. So probably not even a top 10 team.)

Similarly, App St beat #6 TAMU in week 2 last year. They get credit for a top 10 win. TAMU finished 5-7 and not ranked.

You can also look at in the other direction: PSU was clearly a top ten team (finished #7) but was not ranked in the top ten until after the bowls. So no teams suffered a top ten loss to PSU even though PSU was a top ten team.

Bottom line: as with all data, the context is important. While PSU hasn't been great against top 10 teams, MOST teams are not great against top ten teams and SOME teams have inflated winning percentages against the top ten (through no fault of their own, just a quirk in the data).

 

[AWS1022]

$70 million to go 4-14 against Ohio St & Michigan. Absolutely abysmal record vs top 10 teams.

The bar is evidently really low for Pennsylvania football.

And what is Jimmah’s record against OSU? Especially before the last two years?

 

[RickinDayton]

Lions are 2-15 vs top 10 teams and 1-10 vs top 5 teams.

Since taking over duties In Happy Valley in 2014, the lions are 1-8 vs Ohio St and 3-6 vs Michigan.

The 10 yr $70 million extension definitely raises eyebrows.

Are lions fans content only beating Indiana and Northwestern every year? If so, Franklin is your man

Are you content with being a "negative Nancy"? Your constant drumbeat of criticism is troublesome. We all would like to see his team make the playoffs but he has won several major bowls. How about your boy Harbaugh- what is his bowl reord?

 

[okinburg1]

Ole Ted - I guess your mourning period over MeatChicken's loss to TCU is officially over.
Welcome back brother - good to see you! (sarcasm font)

 

[LandoComando]

I don't care what the national perception is; I'm telling you what the data suggests. If you only look at the past two years, you may be correct, but that's a short sighted approach.

Being the best in the best division in college football is hard. And it's harder to maintain. MSU had a moment where they were right there and then fell off a cliff.

It's about the present not the past

 

[rrdd2021]

Do you people - that are answering him - realize that Ole Turd of Michigan bounces around the B1G boards just trying to irritate opposing fan bases ?

 

[Dylan Callaghan-Croley]

Didn't realize it was the time of the month for this discussion again.