Why James Franklin Keeps Failing in Penn State’s Biggest Moments: What Comes Next for the Nittany Lions

For over a decade, James Franklin has been the face of Penn State football. He has rebuilt the Nittany Lions into a consistent contender, established a strong football culture in Happy Valley, and developed NFL talent at nearly every position. But as the latest heartbreak against Oregon showed, the program continues to run into the same wall: winning the biggest games. 

Saturday’s 30-24 double-overtime collapse to the Ducks wasn’t just another loss. It was a replay of the same frustrations fans have voiced for years.  The Nittany Lions entered the season with one of the highest rankings in the country and more hype than ever. Franklin himself called this roster the “best combination of depth, talent, and experience” he’s ever coached.

As Sports Illustrated noted, Franklin is now 4-21 against teams ranked in the top 10 of the AP poll. Every time the Nittany Lions get their shot to prove they belong among the elite, they walk away with disappointment. The latest defeat to Oregon didn’t just add to the total, it reinforced the perception that Penn State remains a step below college football’s true heavyweights. 

What Went Wrong Against Oregon? 

The Oregon and Penn State matchup was hyped up to be one of the games of the year and it delivered. Beaver Stadium’s White Out atmosphere was electric at kickoff, but the Nittany Lions were unable to build momentum off their crowd. 

The offense struggled in the first half, totaling only 69 yards and three points in the first half, drawing frustration from a restless crowd that had seen this script before. 

Penn State’s offensive line was dominated at the line of scrimmage, the running game lacked its usual burst, and quarterback Drew Allar, who has been touted as a potential first-round NFL draft pick, looked hesitant and out of rhythm. Instead of riding momentum, the Nittany Lions fell flat until they trailed 17-3 deep into the second half.

To their credit, they fought back. Allar finally found a rhythm, sparking a fourth-quarter rally that sent the game to overtime. In the first extra period, Penn State even seized a 24-17 lead, putting itself one defensive stop away from a statement win. But when it mattered most, the defense surrendered a critical fourth-down conversion that kept Oregon alive.

Moments later, the game ended in deja vu. Allar’s interception in double overtime sealed the loss, which was extremely similar to the game-ending turnover in last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal against Notre Dame.

What’s Next for Franklin? 

When Penn State gets its shot on the big stage, the results always seem the same. Instead of rising to the occasion, the Nittany Lions shrink under the spotlight. The White Out crowd, the national spotlight, the chance to make a statement: all of it was there, but Penn State fell short again. For James Franklin, Saturday’s loss was just another reminder of a hard truth: when the pressure is highest, neither he nor his team has shown they can finish the job. 

After the game, Franklin didn’t try to dodge the criticism that has followed him for years. He took responsibility like a great leader would: 

“I get the frustration. That comes with a fan base that is invested and cares. I get it,” said a remarkably level Franklin. “I kind of look at the entire picture and I get that narrative. And it’s really not a narrative, it’s factual. It’s facts.”

“At the end of the day, we’ve got to find a way to win those games. I totally get it, and I take ownership and I take responsibility.”

Even after another crushing defeat, the players are standing behind their head coach. Allar, who threw two touchdowns to keep Penn State alive before his costly interception ended the game, made it clear the locker room isn’t wavering in its support:

“I’ll be the first to go into the fire,” Allar said. “There’s no other coaching staff or team that I’d rather go to war with, and I know we’ve got to make the most of this opportunity.”

Just take a look at Ryan Day and Ohio State last year, and how quickly the narrative shifted. With pivotal matchups against Indiana and Ohio State looming, Penn State’s season could still swing in either direction.

If the Nittany Lions can regroup, continue to believe in themselves and finally deliver when it matters most, the conversation about Franklin and Penn State could look very different in a month. Franklin and Penn State’s ultimate goal of winning a national championship is still very much ahead of them.

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