Penn State Head Coach James Franklin Continues To Struggle Against the Sport’s Best
Another Saturday night, another big-game heartbreaker for Penn State Head Coach James Franklin. If you’re a Nittany Lions fan, this story feels painfully familiar. The “White Out” was electric, Beaver Stadium was rocking, and for a fleeting moment, it felt like this time—this time—would be different.
Then, double overtime happened. A costly interception. And just like that, the No. 6 Oregon Ducks were celebrating on their turf, leaving 111,000 fans in stunned silence after a 30-24 thriller. This loss wasn’t just another tick in the “L” column; it was a gut punch that dropped Franklin’s record against AP top-10 teams to a staggering 4-21.
Franklin Faces the Music (Again)
James Franklin is 4-21 vs. Top 10 opponents in his career. pic.twitter.com/wH61haevP6
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) September 28, 2025
After the game, Franklin stood at the podium and faced the inevitable questions about his team’s inability to win the big one. To his credit, he didn’t dodge the bullet. “I get that narrative, and it’s really not a narrative—it’s factual. It’s the facts,” he said, acknowledging the growing frustration from a fanbase that’s getting tired of being “close but no cigar.”
Let’s be real, the man has a point. It’s not a narrative when the numbers are this glaring. We’re talking about a .160 winning percentage against top-10 opponents. That’s not just bad luck; that’s a pattern. You could have better odds flipping a coin, and it would probably land on its side before Penn State pulls off a major upset.
Even the student section, usually a bastion of unwavering support, was heard chanting “Fire Franklin” at one point. Ouch. When you lose the student section, you’re in deep trouble. “When we win, there’s nothing better. When we lose, there’s nothing worse,” Franklin said, capturing the emotional rollercoaster that is Penn State football. “I get the frustration that comes with a fan base that is invested and cares.”
So, What Now For Penn State?
Quarterback Drew Allar, who is now 0-6 against top-6 opponents, summed it up bluntly: “Obviously, it hurts.” He engineered a furious fourth-quarter comeback to force overtime, showing flashes of the clutch playmaker Penn State desperately needs. But when the game was on the line, a critical interception sealed their fate. It was a brutal case of déjà vu, echoing last season’s playoff semifinal loss, where a late pick ended their championship dreams.
The season is far from over. Penn State still has chances to exorcise its demons with matchups against No. 1 Ohio State and No. 11 Indiana looming. But for a program with national title aspirations, this loss stings. It reinforces the perception that Franklin’s teams are great at beating the teams they’re supposed to beat, but consistently fold when the lights are brightest.
Can they finally get over the hump? For the sake of their passionate, long-suffering fans, let’s hope so. But until they do, the questions will keep coming, and the pressure on Franklin will only get greater.
