James Franklin is a good coach. He is a coach who most schools in this country would love to have. However, James Franklin isn’t a great coach, which once again was on full display during Penn State’s 20-13 loss to Ohio State on Saturday afternoon.
Everything started amazingly well in Happy Valley against the Buckeyes. Penn State jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter after a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Zion Tracy. Buckeyes’ quarterback Will Howard looked rattled, and Beaver Stadium was frothing at the mouth.
Then Ohio State settled down and less than four minutes into the second quarter the Buckeyes had already taken a 14-10 lead. Both touchdowns came on fantastic play calls which created easy throws for Howard, who gained much needed confidence in the process. And that was the beginning of the end for Penn State. And if not for two huge mistakes by Ohio State, the interception and a Howard fumble at the goal line, the 14-10 halftime score would have been lopsided.
Half-time adjustments were needed by Coach Franklin and his staff. Ohio State was focused on stopping the run and they were succeeding. The Buckeyes were daring Penn State to throw the ball and the Nittany Lions failed to do so. Amazingly Tyler Warren didn’t have a reception. Adjustments were needed to try and avoid an eighth straight loss to Ohio State. But overall, it was more of the same in the second half.
Penn State has no answers for the Ohio State defense. They didn’t last season and once again they looked toothless today. The offense did finally realize that Warren is vital to its success, but it wasn’t enough. And it all came down to a fourth down pass on the goal line with less than six minutes remaining that quietly fell incomplete. Ohio State then mercilessly ran the ball down Penn State’s throat to finish the victory.
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Losing eight straight games to Ohio State is entirely on Coach Franklin. You can’t be considered a great coach and lose eight consecutive games to a rival. It is impossible. And as long as he is Penn State’s head coach, the Nittany Lions will never reach the levels that their fans are starving for. Ten-win seasons are impressive, but even those aren’t enough when you consistently lose to your rivals.
Ohio State is where Penn State wants to be, but it will never get there with Coach Franklin in charge. It is time for everyone in Happy Valley to accept that.
