From Playoff Aspirations to Program Crossroads: The Unraveling of James Franklin’s Penn State

Just weeks ago, Penn State football was poised for another dominant season, fresh off its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Now, the program finds itself in a state of disarray, grappling with a season-ending injury to its star quarterback, a string of shocking upset losses, and mounting speculation regarding the future of head coach James Franklin. What began with the promise of a national title run has quickly dissolved into a pivotal crossroads for the Nittany Lions.

The Cascade of Disappointment: How Penn State’s Season Unraveled

The 2025 campaign started with high hopes, with Drew Allar, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s innovative scheme expected to lead the charge. After reaching the CFP semifinals in January and even pushing Notre Dame to a heartbreaking 27-24 loss in the Orange Bowl, Penn State seemed on the verge of consistent national contention. However, the optimism proved to be fleeting.

The first sign of trouble came with a disappointing 30-24 double-overtime loss to No. 2 Oregon. While a close defeat to a top-ranked opponent might have been anticipated, what followed was anything but. The Nittany Lions, ranked No. 7 at the time, were utterly bulldozed by UCLA in a 42-37 upset. This loss was particularly jarring, as UCLA entered the game winless, having even fired coach Deshaun Foster three weeks prior. It marked Penn State’s first loss in 34 games against unranked competition, a stark deviation from Franklin’s typical program consistency as reported by Yahoo Sports.

The collapse deepened with a stunning 22-21 defeat at home to Northwestern. This loss became the season’s second-biggest upset, following the UCLA game, and plunged Penn State to a 3-3 overall record and a disheartening 0-3 in the Big Ten. To compound the misery, Drew Allar suffered a season-ending right leg injury late in the Northwestern game, leaving the offense without its cornerstone for the remainder of the year.

James Franklin’s Lingering Questions and the Elephant in the Room

For years, the persistent criticism surrounding James Franklin’s tenure has revolved around his inability to win “big games,” evidenced by a 1-15 record against top-5 teams in the AP poll and a 1-18 career mark. Despite leading Penn State to six 10-win seasons in 12 years and their first Big Ten title since 2016, his coaching decisions in critical moments and perceived lack of in-game adjustments have consistently drawn ire from the fanbase. Now, the program faces a new, more troubling narrative: losing games they are expected to win handily.

The current situation has sparked intense discussion about Franklin’s future. His buyout, reported to be north of $55 million, presents a significant financial hurdle for any potential separation. However, with the Big Ten exploring private equity deals, some speculate that such a move could soften the financial blow. The idea of a “fresh start” for both Franklin and the university is gaining traction within the fan community, drawing parallels to the mutually beneficial split between Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles, which ultimately led to Super Bowl titles for both parties, as highlighted by AOL.

Offensive Stagnation and Defensive Concerns

Beyond Franklin’s leadership, the team’s performance on the field has been troubling. While offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki made strides in his first year, significantly improving the passing game from 109th to 28th in 20-plus yard passes in 2024, the unit struggled for consistency. The departure of key playmakers like tight end Tyler Warren, who had a Heisman-worthy season, and potential NFL-bound running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, leaves significant gaps. The Nittany Lions also desperately need a game-breaking receiver, as Julian Fleming didn’t provide that production and the team went without a single completed pass to a receiver in the Orange Bowl loss.

Defensively, the Nittany Lions are facing a rebuild along the defensive line, with as many as five players, including superstar Abdul Carter and Zane Durant, potentially heading to the NFL. While Penn State has a history of producing talent in the trenches, this level of turnover, combined with key losses in the secondary like safety Jaylen Reed and Kevin Winston Jr., creates significant challenges for a unit that conceded 94 points in three Big Ten games after a strong start against lesser opponents.

Fan Frustration and the Road Ahead

The mood in Happy Valley is one of deep frustration. Fans who have witnessed Franklin’s program repeatedly contend for national relevance only to falter in critical moments are now seeing the team stumble against opponents that were once reliable victories. The “problems that plague Penn State can never be pinned down,” as one analyst noted after the Orange Bowl, capturing the sentiment of a fanbase exhausted by inconsistency in big moments.

With Allar sidelined for the season and the team at 0-3 in conference play, the Nittany Lions’ immediate future is bleak. The conversation has shifted from playoff berths to salvaging the season and, for many, to the broader direction of the program under James Franklin. What was once seen as a “new chapter” with CFP aspirations now feels like a period of reckoning, as Penn State searches for answers amidst an unprecedented run of disappointment.

Other Notable Week 6 Performances

While Penn State wrestled with its demons, other teams across college football had their own stories of triumph and tribulation in Week 6:

• Winners:
  • UCLA: Followed their upset of Penn State with a dominant 38-13 road win over Michigan State, showcasing a revitalized run game and a surprising resurgence after their coaching change.
  • Kent State: Surpassed their preseason win total (1.5) by securing their second victory of the season, a convincing 42-6 win over UMass.
  • UNLV: Under coach Dan Mullen, the Rebels moved to 6-0 with a high-scoring 51-48 win over Air Force, solidifying their status as a Mountain West contender.
  • Kennesaw State: Improved to 4-2 with a 35-7 win over Louisiana Tech, putting them two wins away from a bowl game in their first year at the top level of college football.
• Losers:
  • No. 25 Florida State: Dropped to 3-3 and 0-3 in the ACC after a 34-31 home loss to Pitt, extending their conference losing streak to eight games. The game did feature a wild play from FSU’s Tommy Castellanos:
  • North Texas: Despite leading at halftime, they committed several turnovers, leading to a 63-36 rout by No. 24 South Florida, dashing their hopes of an AP Top 25 ranking.
  • Iowa State: Their Big 12 hopes took a hit with a 24-17 loss to Colorado, struggling on third downs despite a strong rushing performance.
  • Oregon State: Fell to 0-7 with a 39-14 home loss to Wake Forest, continuing a dismal season as they search for their first win against an FCS opponent next week.