A White Out for the ages is imminent at Beaver Stadium. Penn State has secured themselves a first-round home game against SMU as the 6th seed by decree of the committee’s final CFP rankings. This proposition will go some way in moving past their shortcomings in Indy on Saturday. The 37-45 loss to Oregon did throw up some tangible positives ahead of the playoffs. However, a rather familiar dark cloud still looms over the program. No way to maneuver around this one very prominent elephant in the room- James Franklin.

The loss in the championship game certainly wasn’t all on Franklin. His fingerprints though were yet again at the site of a proverbial crime scene involving Penn State and a fellow top school. The infamous stat of his shortcomings in the biggest spots ascended yet again. James Franklin has now fallen to 3-19 vs Top 10 opponents. 1-14 against the Top 5, including 11 losses on the bounce. Makes for some very poor reading. Football HOFer and savant Shannon Sharpe piled on to Franklin’s misery after the latest wrinkle in his mishaps.

Breaking down the B1G Championship Game on Nightcap, Shannon verbalised what is a common concern among fans. “It [seems] like Penn State always gets in these games, big games and they don’t play big. I think that’s the knock on James Franklin”, he said. “I’m not saying he’s not a good coach. But he loses far too many of these games in order for us to [not] put him in that great category. Normally, Ohio State- he catches the L. Big bowl games- he catches the L. It’s not like he hasn’t had good talent, because he’s had some really good talent.”

James Franklin is the 2nd longest-tenured coach in the B1G and won Penn State a conference championship in 2016. The program has consistently been amongst the rankings since he took charge 10 years ago. It is pretty undeniable that his leadership has elevated Penn State’s stock. However, his tenure isn’t watertight by any stretch.

There is a growing feeling that a juncture where something’s gotta give beckons. It seems like the Nittany Lions shall always be bridesmaids with Franklin at the helm- never quite the bride. However, he does have an opportunity to quell some skepticism, by virtue of the playoffs. Many would argue the bracket was shaped up rather kindly for Penn State. After hosting SMU, a win would pit them against Mountain West champ Boise State in round 2. The Nittany Lions will naturally be heavy favorites in both ties. James Franklin will seek to get the figurative monkey off his back and make a deep playoff run.

Penn State finds a silver lining from their B1G Championship Game escapades

For those of a neutral perspective, the Big 10 championship was a blast to witness. The game transpired into an offensive shootout right from the onset. Oregon and their pass game seemed to have Penn State’s number. On the other hand, the Nittany Lions O-line afforded them the chance to establish a mean run game. As a byproduct, the offense found balance with cracks forming in the Ducks’ secondary. One player who benefited from said cracks gained widespread plaudits.

Drew Allar’s box score from the game isn’t the most gaudy. 51% completion rate, 2 picks, 226 yards. However, the eye test told a different tale. The junior impressed with his arm talent as well as physicality. His perspective NFL calibre was especially on display during one particular play. On 4th and 10, with his team needing a touchdown to stay alive in the game, Allar went through a laser to the endzone while having his jersey pulled by a Ducks’ pass rusher. His night ended on a whimper after an ill-timed interception, but that is a small blemish on a largely positive night.

James Franklin hopes to have this level of QB play, minus the errors in the CFP. Amidst all the overarching storylines, It will be fascinating to see if the narrative around Franklin sees a shift. An early misstep against SMU or potentially even Boise State could spell trouble for his disposition in State College.