While Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh dominated college football storylines on Saturday with his suspension by the Big Ten over the Wolverines’ sign-stealing scandal, fans weren’t about to let James Franklin off the hook.
Saturday in an always-hostile Beaver Stadium, Franklin’s No. 10 Penn State team was within eight points of No. 2 Michigan for a huge chunk of the second half, and an upset seemed plausible. Until you remembered what tends to happen to the Nittany Lions in big conference matchups.
Franklin continued his run of extremely questionable coaching decisions, puzzling just about everyone.
The dagger for Penn State came late in the fourth quarter when the Nittany Lions kept trying to force a pass when the ground game doing most of the work against the Wolverines. Quarterback Drew Allar threw three consecutive incomplete passes, including on fourth-and-6 at their own 30-yard line. Not only did they not get the conversion but, on Michigan’s next drive, also allowed running back Blake Corum — a menace for the Nittany Lions all day — to find the end zone seconds later.
And just like that Blake Corum adds on another 🔥 @UMichFootball makes it 25-9 pic.twitter.com/qoAcaP8A6x
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 11, 2023
While Michigan remains undefeated with the 24-15 win, Franklin’s squad hasn’t won this matchup since 2020, and, after already losing to Ohio State earlier this season, continued its streak of losing big games. As ESPN Stats & Info noted, his team is now 4-16 combined against Michigan and Ohio State and has lost 12 of 13 games against AP top-5 opponents.
Penn State’s James Franklin drops to 4-16 against Ohio State & Michigan
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 11, 2023
RELATED: A Penn State player trolled Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal with his celebration
Penn State fans at the game were fuming after the loss and were booing, according to The Athletic‘s Audrey Snyder.
Fans started screaming at James Franklin after the loss. Boos too. Tense scene as they screamed over the railing
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 11, 2023
And fans on Twitter, now X, didn't hold back absolutely roasting Franklin either:
lol. Just… lol. https://t.co/pm8k092y8R
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 11, 2023
America watching James Franklin’s decision making: pic.twitter.com/sqqQrvfKd0
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) November 11, 2023
james franklin just got outcoached by a team without a coach.
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) November 11, 2023
“James Franklin when will you win the big game” pic.twitter.com/DrUtMXOohJ
— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) November 11, 2023
Thinking about James Franklin in late game situations: pic.twitter.com/4uyebrDp0E
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 11, 2023
I’d be like “all credit to James Franklin, he always has a great plan and makes great decisions, he’s a genius and I didn’t screw it up, praise God” https://t.co/FYVjlEa3R4
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) November 11, 2023
James Franklin lost to an interim coach on 24 hour notice at home in another top 10 game. https://t.co/lTdMPsNkpD pic.twitter.com/csdLwix8qE
— Terrence (@Terrbear2K24) November 11, 2023
"We NEED this 2-point conversion. What's the play?"
James Franklin: pic.twitter.com/xw2bvkzJ9y
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) November 11, 2023
James Franklin when it comes to two-point decisions pic.twitter.com/zq0b6kXI85
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) November 11, 2023
James Franklin is one of the worst in game strategists (with a good team) that I’ve seen.
— John Kincade (@JohnKincade) November 11, 2023
"Win a big game!"
James Franklin: pic.twitter.com/Fa2ZIWMUC3
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) November 11, 2023
Can’t say I’ve seen too many things like the James Franklin era at Penn State. You know their exact record, down to the specific wins and losses, before the season even starts.
— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) November 11, 2023
James Franklin against good teams pic.twitter.com/rqGdSYuQAC
— LG (@LGhail) November 11, 2023
The Big Ten should have suspended James Franklin if they really wanted to stick it to Michigan
— Pete Pistone (@PPistone) November 11, 2023
The "James Franklin can't win the big game even when that team is managed by an interim coach who was awarded that title 18 hours prior" articles are gonna absolutely on fire tomorrow.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) November 10, 2023
