Franklin exposed; impact for Pitt

[raleighpanther]

This has been a really bad week for Franklin and PSU. The stuff we've been saying about him is starting to get reported in the press -- guy is a marketing/sales guy who can't coach.

The Temple loss was very bad, not because it was Temple, but because of how badly they got blown out after a fast start. Not only was the loss one-sided, but the offense looked even more inept than the one they had all last season.

Some of the better players from last year were calling out Franklin and his coaches on twitter, with some really pointed statements; saying things like this is exactly why I left and saying the best players weren't playing because of politics. For recruits, hearing that stuff from guys who just left the program is far worse than what happened on the field, which was bad enough.

The fan base has wised up too, and given up on Franklin. They now recognize him as a slick sales guy who is all talk. They want to fire him and hire Temple's coach (a PSU player/alum).

Where this impacts Pitt is with recruiting. PSU's 2016 verbals, especially those on offense, have to be second guessing their decision. Does Miles Sanders really want to run behind that offensive line and play in that putrid offensive scheme? I can't believe he does. The good talented current backs are struggling. And it will take years to build a decent OL, since it takes time to build one once you get the right players. I don't know if he flips, or if he switches to Pitt if he does, but I think his weak commitment to PSU just got weaker in the past few days.

But more importantly, the impact will be with the 2017 players. Here is where Narduzzi will make his mark. He has the time to build relationships with these guys from the start, and isn't playing catch up, as he is with the 2016 prospects. Right now, PN looks like the much better option than JF. PA recruits are starting to hear fans talk about what a weak coach Franklin is, and how he should be fired. Franklin's big talk won't be received by recruits the way it was in the past.

 

[TD_6082]

I think that is mostly wishful thinking.

 

[raleighpanther]

Most of your buddies on BWI would agree with me, based their posting yesterday.

 

[Panther Parrothead]

This has been a really bad week for Franklin and PSU. The stuff we've been saying about him is starting to get reported in the press -- guy is a marketing/sales guy who can't coach.

The Temple loss was very bad, not because it was Temple, but because of how badly they got blown out after a fast start. Not only was the loss one-sided, but the offense looked even more inept than the one they had all last season.

Some of the better players from last year were calling out Franklin and his coaches on twitter, with some really pointed statements; saying things like this is exactly why I left and saying the best players weren't playing because of politics. For recruits, hearing that stuff from guys who just left the program is far worse than what happened on the field, which was bad enough.

The fan base has wised up too, and given up on Franklin. They now recognize him as a slick sales guy who is all talk. They want to fire him and hire Temple's coach (a PSU player/alum).

Where this impacts Pitt is with recruiting. PSU's 2016 verbals, especially those on offense, have to be second guessing their decision. Does Miles Sanders really want to run behind that offensive line and play in that putrid offensive scheme? I can't believe he does. The good talented current backs are struggling. And it will take years to build a decent OL, since it takes time to build one once you get the right players. I don't know if he flips, or if he switches to Pitt if he does, but I think his weak commitment to PSU just got weaker in the past few days.

But more importantly, the impact will be with the 2017 players. Here is where Narduzzi will make his mark. He has the time to build relationships with these guys from the start, and isn't playing catch up, as he is with the 2016 prospects. Right now, PN looks like the much better option than JF. PA recruits are starting to hear fans talk about what a weak coach Franklin is, and how he should be fired. Franklin's big talk won't be received by recruits the way it was in the past.

I'm guessing that if he starts winning soon, the love affair will commence and it all will all be wonderful again. But if there are more "Temple-type" games that follow, The Cult won't take too kindly to it.

Looking at their schedule, it's so weak that even this putrid team will win enough to be bowl eligible. Their next games are against Buffalo, Rutgers, San Diego State, Army, and Indiana - and they're all at home! (How do they get a schedule like that???)

Then they have back-to-back away games @ Ohio State and Maryland; back home versus Illinois; @ Northwestern; back home versus Michigan; then they wrap-up their regular season @ their "designated rival" Michigan State. Right now, it looks like they're gonna go "bowling", no matter how bad it gets.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

I'm guessing that if he starts winning soon, the love affair will commence and it all will all be wonderful again. But if there are more "Temple-type" games that follow, The Cult won't take too kindly to it.

Looking at their schedule, it's so weak that even this putrid team will win enough to be bowl eligible. Their next games are against Buffalo, Rutgers, San Diego State, Army, and Indiana - and they're all at home! (How do they get a schedule like that???)

Then they have back-to-back away games @ Ohio State and Maryland; back home versus Illinois; @ Northwestern; back home versus Michigan; then they wrap-up their regular season @ their "designated rival" Michigan State. Right now, it looks like they're gonna go "bowling", no matter how bad it gets.

I think Franklin can win more games with that weak schedule and he will resolve some of his weaknesses on PSU OL with better recruits and Players that come forward over time. And I still may be wrong too, just my opinion and a hunch.

But that is not his problem anymore as far as I am concern. Franklin's problem will be beating Character Coaches like Northwestern Fitzgerald, Michigan Harbaugh, OSU Meyers, MSU DAntonio, Pitt Narduzzi, Temple Ruhle, Edsall Maryland, Chryst Wisconsin, Ferentz Iowa, Riley Nebraska, and Kill Minnesota!

After losing all of last year except when Hackenberg (Alone I Might Add), pulling out 4 late wins (UCF, Rutgers, Indiana, & BC) by himself in my opinion. I am no longer confident Franklin has the coaching ability to beat OSU Meyers, Michigan Harbaugh, MSU DAntonio and will not out recruit them either?

This is where BWI CULT & Philly Punks will come to be upset with Franklin over time, along with the under cutting of The Paterno Family & Their Cult Allies, and New PS4RS Trustees & Legislative Allies will force Franklin out. Or Franklin will just leave by taking another Head Coaching Job elsewhere far sooner than expected.

Moreover, another weakness in Franklin can be seen when ta number of PSU Players could have stayed another year at PSU but chose to leave right away and get away from the program the last 2 years since Franklin came on board. Yet, look at OSU, Michigan and MSU how some players stay another year because they love their coaches and teammates? This is not happening at Penn State, Jesse James needed another year at Penn State, so did Andre Robinson that could have higher draft picks instesd of going in 4th and 5th rounds. They left ASAP!

There is a clear disconnect with current upper class-man and new recruits falling for the Fast Frankie's Flavor of the Month Mouth. Franklin is going to have make changes on his Staff as well. Clearly, these Players are not well coached as seen last and this year and in the NFL right now?

O'Brien really kept it together and was still ousted and could not wait to leave the people and fans at Penn State. Franklin became a darling by the way he talked, but Temple DOMINATED his Team, Players, and Coaches on Saturday with Recruits that were not from Top 25, Top 15 Recruiting Classes. Even worse. all the Recruits he told could start or play in their first year are not on the three deep Depth Charts? They cannot be happy losing, not even given a chance to play, and look stupid right now?

Franklin may just have reached his limits as well even with great recruiting and relationships with everyone he meets and especially Parents. Yet, what I find fault in all his talk is his actions don't walk that talk.

Unlike Classy and Confident Pat Narduzzi when he took over Pitt stayed away from taking MSU Recruits from them.

Franklin first Punked Vanderbilt that gave him his Head Coaching job after Maryland waned on him, and the it was shown he lied under Oath to his Players, and then shown he had to be corrected again for lying under Oath in a Deposition. These are not acts of characters and that catches up with someone like Franklin that ran from Maryland, then trashed Vanderbilt the very people that gave him his opportunity, and then ran to Penn State.

Now he has to face Michigan, OSU, and MSU as he ducks Power Conference OOC and those guys know how to handle lesser coach that runs when he should walk the talk and walk tall but he talks taller than his walk? Sooner or later Franklin will run out of places to go?

I knew Franklin had a terrific personality but did not know for sure if he would a be long term coach at Penn State and waited to see more, but now I know he tell half-lies more than he tells the lies and a person like that simply forgets where the truth is in the future and that comes back to bite you and he looked lost on Saturday and just did not lose, but lost in his own bullship.

Franklin's recruits and players will remain lost too in the future unlike those at MiCHIGAN, MSU, OSU, UMD and PITT! Where Coaches of Character teach and coach Players how to know where they stand by how knowing where they stand first, unlike Franklin lost in his own personality.

 

[Jeffburgh]

Hes not as good as the guy he sees in the mirror.

I have always said he has a short leash w the fanbase, given his personality and its extremely conservative nature. They could live w 8 wins w jopa, because w him they were just extra special. But, sooner than later franklin has to win SOMETHING or they will turn on him.

 

[paulbl99]

I think that is mostly wishful thinking.

The calling out by former big mouth Frankie's players wasnt wishful thinking?

Big Mouth might not be the uber coach you think he is, State College looked pathetic and that showing wasn't all on sanctions.

 

[pittzap]

The calling out by former big mouth Frankie's players wasnt wishful thinking?

Big Mouth might not be the uber coach you think he is, State College looked pathetic and that showing wasn't all on sanctions.

That loss was big for PSU fans because they were manhandled by a a team in PA that has always been the least thought of in the state, and one they hadn't lost to since 1941. Plus the "Dominate the State" BS he has thrown out is coming back to haunt him, like many said it would. I have some Joebot friends that have already turned, which surprises me.

I have gotten quite a bit of, "you were right about him - he can recruit but his game day coaching is bad." He has an average, at best, track record, and writers are starting to put that in print. When you talk as much as him (without the success to back it up) you set yourself up for failure. He has dug himself a hole.

 

[Pghfan]

be careful what you wish for he, starts losing his national recruits and he's going to start looking at the second tier guys, the Western PA guys. and guess who's going to pay the price when he comes here?

 

[FreeportPanther]

be careful what you wish for he, starts losing his national recruits and he's going to start looking at the second tier guys, the Western PA guys. and guess who's going to pay the price when he comes here?

Huh? Don't look now, but he's already here, been here for a while in fact. The big story here is the fable is being exposed. BS will take you so far, in the end results on Saturday matter.
The recruits he's amassed, including the 4 stars, come in most part, from traditional PSU recruiting territory. He's also had some success in western PA.
The more they lose, the more inept their offense is, their record against the better teams on their schedule, it all helps to show the emperor has no clothes.
The bluster and talk has gotten him off to a good start, he's an excellent salesman, but all sizzle no steak is starting to show.
With some time to get settled in, build some relationships, etc. our head coach and assistants should be able to more than hold their own here.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Franklin reminds me of Ron Zook. Undefeated in press conferences, elite receuiter, horrific coach.

 

[DruidTM]

PSU does not need to worry about Ohio State Michigan and Iowa....they need to worry...yes worry about Buffalo...Rutgers...and Maryland....that's where it is....

Buffalo is no gimmie....Army is no gimmie.....PSU looks like an absolute bad joke.....

 

[pierre93]

I think that is mostly wishful thinking.

Your on crack........

 

[FreeportPanther]

PSU does not need to worry about Ohio State Michigan and Iowa....they need to worry...yes worry about Buffalo...Rutgers...and Maryland....that's where it is....

Buffalo is no gimmie....Army is no gimmie.....PSU looks like an absolute bad joke.....

Rutgers dismissed their entire starting secondary and a couple backups for being criminals. Playing a team with no defensive backs may be just what Hackenberg needs to complete a pass! Not a sure thing though, after all they did give up a sack on a 2 man rush! That's 2 defenders against 5 OL'men! And of course the same morons will be calling the plays, so there's that as well.
Then there's the whole "Dominate the State" thing. Since none of these teams are from the state, there will be a lot less pressure on them....to you know.... Dominate!

 

[pittdan77]

Honestly, I think it's healthy that they're finally mad at something a PSU coach has done. It's nice to see.

 

[Pghfan]

Huh? Don't look now, but he's already here, been here for a while in fact. The big story here is the fable is being exposed. BS will take you so far, in the end results on Saturday matter.
The recruits he's amassed, including the 4 stars, come in most part, from traditional PSU recruiting territory. He's also had some success in western PA.
The more they lose, the more inept their offense is, their record against the better teams on their schedule, it all helps to show the emperor has no clothes.
The bluster and talk has gotten him off to a good start, he's an excellent salesman, but all sizzle no steak is starting to show.
With some time to get settled in, build some relationships, etc. our head coach and assistants should be able to more than hold their own here.

He is but if he starts losing out on some national guys, those 2nd tier players that he has no room for, aka Matthews and Hudson, well he now has room for them.

 

[paulbl99]

PSU does not need to worry about Ohio State Michigan and Iowa....they need to worry...yes worry about Buffalo...Rutgers...and Maryland....that's where it is....

Buffalo is no gimmie....Army is no gimmie.....PSU looks like an absolute bad joke.....

From the looks of Saturday...SDSU is going to give Big Mouth and STATE all it can handle too

He is but if he starts losing out on some national guys, those 2nd tier players that he has no room for, aka Matthews and Hudson, well he now has room for them.

This is all on Pitt....we take care of business players from this area will come here
Always have...
Johnny, Jackie et al faced more formidable coaches in their day than Big Mouth...
Bet dat

 

[wbrpanther]

I think that is mostly wishful thinking.

I think there is a lot of merit to this line of thinking. So far the DOMINATOR has been selling a line that the recruits have been buying. If his team continues to play like they did on Saturday what kind of line is he going to be able to sell? Other coaches are going to have on field proof to show prospective recruits. Will he still be able to get good classes? Sure. UPS still has a brand, real or mythical. But James from State College better start producing a better on field product or he is going to become James from Poccatello or some other destination. To think otherwise is actually wishful thinking.

 

[TD_6082]

Most of your buddies on BWI would agree with me, based their posting yesterday.

I'm not on BWI. But like they are the only fan base with some gross overreaction the day after an embarrassing loss. That's pretty much any board on rivals.

 

[TD_6082]

I think there is a lot of merit to this line of thinking. So far the DOMINATOR has been selling a line that the recruits have been buying. If his team continues to play like they did on Saturday what kind of line is he going to be able to sell? Other coaches are going to have on field proof to show prospective recruits. Will he still be able to get good classes? Sure. UPS still has a brand, real or mythical. But James from State College better start producing a better on field product or he is going to become James from Poccatello or some other destination. To think otherwise is actually wishful thinking.

Of course he has to produce. But to think PSU is going to show any kind of drastic improvement in the midst of what the sanctions did to them the past few years, that is wishful thinking too. Its his first game in his SECOND year. They need to be willing to at least give him 5 or 6 years.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Of course he has to produce. But to think PSU is going to show any kind of drastic improvement in the midst of what the sanctions did to them the past few years, that is wishful thinking too. Its his first game in his SECOND year. They need to be willing to at least give him 5 or 6 years.

spoken like the true nitter you are TD. Two years of limited scholarships and missed 2nd tier bowls was not enough to lose to Temple in your second year as head coach.

 

[pittzap]

I think there is a lot of merit to this line of thinking. So far the DOMINATOR has been selling a line that the recruits have been buying. If his team continues to play like they did on Saturday what kind of line is he going to be able to sell? Other coaches are going to have on field proof to show prospective recruits. Will he still be able to get good classes? Sure. UPS still has a brand, real or mythical. But James from State College better start producing a better on field product or he is going to become James from Poccatello or some other destination. To think otherwise is actually wishful thinking.

True. Again, it is not that they lost. It is the way they lost. They got manhandled by Temple. It wasn't some bad call or lucky play that got them. After the first quarter, Temple took some punches and scored 27 points in a row. Hell, Rhule could have tacked on another 3 or 7 at the end but ran a play on 4th and long deep in PSU territory. PSU made no changes. Franklin even stated after the game that they couldn't have done much else on offense. Well, they could have not run the same plays over and over again.

I have seen the media not only write that he may not be a good coach, but they have asked him that. If I'm a recruit, especially on offense, I'm really thinking twice about this dude (I sensed he was a BS artist the second I heard him talk at Vandy, so I would never have fallen for it). Former players are calling him out, Joebots are calling him out.

I know a lot of PSU fans who have basically said they will not allow a few good offensive performances against poor teams to change their minds. That is a definite change with PSU. This loss was unacceptable to them.

 

[pittzap]

Of course he has to produce. But to think PSU is going to show any kind of drastic improvement in the midst of what the sanctions did to them the past few years, that is wishful thinking too. Its his first game in his SECOND year. They need to be willing to at least give him 5 or 6 years.

Are you nuts? No way they give him that long. He beat Temple last year. They expected the same results this year. If he has some additional games that resemble this, he will have to face the fire. I never expected so many PSU fans to start to turn on him so soon. I grew up near PSU, so I know a huge number of PSU fans that I still speak with regularly. They are openly questioning that he may be a horrible game day coach. Even the biggest Joebots I know are starting to question him. The only "typical PSU" behavior I see is their sticking up for Hackenberg - that it is not all his fault.

 

[TD_6082]

From a Pitt perspective, this shouldn't even be a topic. I would like to think that Pitt can recruit really well regardless of what goes on in Happy Valley.

Somebody mentioned Johnny & Jackie... They didn't need PSU to suck in order to sign talent.

 

[Pghfan]

From a Pitt perspective, this shouldn't even be a topic. I would like to think that Pitt can recruit really well regardless of what goes on in Happy Valley.

Somebody mentioned Johnny & Jackie... They didn't need PSU to suck in order to sign talent.

Yeah, they needed the very deep pockets of the golden panthers.. A resource that we currently do not have..

 

[raleighpanther]

Of course he has to produce. But to think PSU is going to show any kind of drastic improvement in the midst of what the sanctions did to them the past few years, that is wishful thinking too. Its his first game in his SECOND year. They need to be willing to at least give him 5 or 6 years.

I can't emphasize this enough TD - the scandal did more damage to this current PSU team than the sanctions. The highly rated 2012 class completely dissolved between the indictments and firings in Nov. 2011 and signing day. The sanctions weren't handed down until the end of the following summer. Those highly rated recruits from the 2012 class who went elsewhere would be seniors and redshirt juniors right now.

 

[TD_6082]

http://saturdayblitz.com/2015/07/09/vanderbilt-football-happened-commodores-momentum/

Some of you act like this never happened. Franklin has track record, and its a damn good one.

 

[TD_6082]

You're right raleighpanther. Just the whole thing. No program can absorb those kind of hits without a devastating impact. btw, Do you live in Raleigh? Are you going to the Duke game?

Pghfan, exactly. I'm more concerned with the lack of support than our end than I am anything that goes on in Happy Valley.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

He is 7 - 7 at Ped St with a FB budget that only trails a handful of schools! Even the blind cultists can’t be happy!

 

[Saboteur]

I think Franklin can win more games with that weak schedule and he will resolve some of his weaknesses on PSU OL with better recruits and Players that come forward over time. And I still may be wrong too, just my opinion and a hunch.

But that is not his problem anymore as far as I am concern. Franklin's problem will be beating Character Coaches like Northwestern Fitzgerald, Michigan Harbaugh, OSU Meyers, MSU DAntonio, Pitt Narduzzi, Temple Ruhle, Edsall Maryland, Chryst Wisconsin, Ferentz Iowa, Riley Nebraska, and Kill Minnesota!

After losing all of last year except when Hackenberg (Alone I Might Add), pulling out 4 late wins (UCF, Rutgers, Indiana, & BC) by himself in my opinion. I am no longer confident Franklin has the coaching ability to beat OSU Meyers, Michigan Harbaugh, MSU DAntonio and will not out recruit them either?

This is where BWI CULT & Philly Punks will come to be upset with Franklin over time, along with the under cutting of The Paterno Family & Their Cult Allies, and New PS4RS Trustees & Legislative Allies will force Franklin out. Or Franklin will just leave by taking another Head Coaching Job elsewhere far sooner than expected.

Moreover, another weakness in Franklin can be seen when ta number of PSU Players could have stayed another year at PSU but chose to leave right away and get away from the program the last 2 years since Franklin came on board. Yet, look at OSU, Michigan and MSU how some players stay another year because they love their coaches and teammates? This is not happening at Penn State, Jesse James needed another year at Penn State, so did Andre Robinson that could have higher draft picks instesd of going in 4th and 5th rounds. They left ASAP!

There is a clear disconnect with current upper class-man and new recruits falling for the Fast Frankie's Flavor of the Month Mouth. Franklin is going to have make changes on his Staff as well. Clearly, these Players are not well coached as seen last and this year and in the NFL right now?

O'Brien really kept it together and was still ousted and could not wait to leave the people and fans at Penn State. Franklin became a darling by the way he talked, but Temple DOMINATED his Team, Players, and Coaches on Saturday with Recruits that were not from Top 25, Top 15 Recruiting Classes. Even worse. all the Recruits he told could start or play in their first year are not on the three deep Depth Charts? They cannot be happy losing, not even given a chance to play, and look stupid right now?

Franklin may just have reached his limits as well even with great recruiting and relationships with everyone he meets and especially Parents. Yet, what I find fault in all his talk is his actions don't walk that talk.

Unlike Classy and Confident Pat Narduzzi when he took over Pitt stayed away from taking MSU Recruits from them.

Franklin first Punked Vanderbilt that gave him his Head Coaching job after Maryland waned on him, and the it was shown he lied under Oath to his Players, and then shown he had to be corrected again for lying under Oath in a Deposition. These are not acts of characters and that catches up with someone like Franklin that ran from Maryland, then trashed Vanderbilt the very people that gave him his opportunity, and then ran to Penn State.

Now he has to face Michigan, OSU, and MSU as he ducks Power Conference OOC and those guys know how to handle lesser coach that runs when he should walk the talk and walk tall but he talks taller than his walk? Sooner or later Franklin will run out of places to go?

I knew Franklin had a terrific personality but did not know for sure if he would a be long term coach at Penn State and waited to see more, but now I know he tell half-lies more than he tells the lies and a person like that simply forgets where the truth is in the future and that comes back to bite you and he looked lost on Saturday and just did not lose, but lost in his own bullship.

Franklin's recruits and players will remain lost too in the future unlike those at MiCHIGAN, MSU, OSU, UMD and PITT! Where Coaches of Character teach and coach Players how to know where they stand by how knowing where they stand first, unlike Franklin lost in his own personality.

Franklin is in the big leagues with Meyer, Dantonio, Harbaugh and company. He may be so busy looking up that he doesn't see maryland on his heels. PSU did lose AT HOME last year to the Terps. Franklin makes alot of money and he proved his point last weekend...don't play tough teams and if you are foolish enough to schedule them, make damn sure the game is played in Creepy Valley.

 

[Panther Parrothead]

be careful what you wish for he, starts losing his national recruits and he's going to start looking at the second tier guys, the Western PA guys. and guess who's going to pay the price when he comes here?

If these high school kids are paying attention, they're now realizing that "all that glitters isn't gold", and that Franklin isn't God's Gift To NCAA Football.

As others have noted, when a lot of the media (outside of Pittsburgh, of course) have begun to openly discuss Franklin's coaching deficiencies, then we know that it MUST be bad.

 

[Panther Parrothead]

http://saturdayblitz.com/2015/07/09/vanderbilt-football-happened-commodores-momentum/

Some of you act like this never happened. Franklin has track record, and its a damn good one.

I sincerely hope that the Nits are paying you well to defend that which is not defendable.

 

[pierre93]

Sanders....come on down!

 

[Pghfan]

I sincerely hope that the Nits are paying you well to defend that which is not defendable.

TD does love him some psu football. Im sure he will give the "wait til next year" line.. And of course next year, he'll give the "wait till 2017 line."

 

[pittzap]

http://saturdayblitz.com/2015/07/09/vanderbilt-football-happened-commodores-momentum/

Some of you act like this never happened. Franklin has track record, and its a damn good one.

Are you f-ing kidding me?! He beat no one there. I know several Vandy grads and while they appreciated winning games against bad teams, they knew he would never take them further than that. They thought last year was going to be a down year and said if someone came to pluck him away, he would leave. PSU did, and he left.

Please don't say he has a damn good track record. He doesn't. He was a pretty poor OC, too.

 

[heybandguy]

I will say this. Franklin and PSU, part of the B1G Ten, got it handed to them by a football program that was kicked out of the Big East. The. Big. East. One game does not make a season, but as Pitt has heard from its critics over the years - beat who you are supposed to beat. I don't care if it's by one or one hundred. Win. The. Game. "We are..." losing to Temple? Yes, you are James.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Yes, come on down and run behind a good OL and get to the NFL

Sanders....come on down!

 

[Gary77]

I think that is mostly wishful thinking.

Yep, but mostly on your part.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

http://saturdayblitz.com/2015/07/09/vanderbilt-football-happened-commodores-momentum/

Some of you act like this never happened. Franklin has track record, and its a damn good one.

I agree with you, and we both agreed earlier in the year, that Penn State OL will determine Penn State Record this year. And to be more fair and as a reminder You were not so sure, but i was far more optimistic and so far quite wrong at least as far as the Temple game is concern.

Franklin's record last year cannot be blamed on just the sanctions either. He has been out coached by Fired Michigan Hoke, Illinois Coach, and underestimated Maryland's Edsall and Northwestern's Fitzgerald. While playing Meyer's tough but Hackenberg won in the last minutes 2-3 games on his own for Franklin too in UCF, Rutgers, Indiana and BC. This may be a sign of poor Game Day judgment by Franklin & Staff and should be a concern or just adjusting to a bigger Program where demands and expectations are far higher.

Another good point in your favor is that all Coaches will tell you that the greatest improvements come from the First to Second to Third Games? Franklin can have his Team ready for Buffalo, Rutgers, SDSU and army to get them to be even better.

I think we have to judge Franklin how his Team will perform against Maryland, NW, OSU, MSU, and Michigan later this year to be fair.

Finally, If I am Franklin & Staff, i will use this temple Defeat to recruit even better by saying, see we need better and top recruits to get better to win the Big Ten and NCS, and right now recruits and parents will still fall for that message!

Yet, when Franklin's Team plays MSU, UM, OSU, NW, and UMD it won't be his talk that wins those games, but great coaching, and his OL should be getting better by then and when too in the future with those easy scrimmages he has on his schedule?

The talent at Penn State is there and now it is time for Franklin to coach them up, and anything less on sanctions will be just another excuse that will grow tired over time?

Rhule did not just beat Franklin but beat him badly all game long after the second half! Franklin's Players were confused, tired, and gave up! Penn State Fans have a right to be concern just like Pitt fans had concerns on Graham and Chryst while we wait to see Coach Pat & Staff finish his First Season?

However, I am going on record now saying Franklin won't keep up with Meyers, Harbaugh, and DAntonio and we both agreed earlier this and last year this is Franklin's real test?

Meyer's won't understimate Franklin again like last year with his New QB, one could argue Hoke just got lucky aghainst franklin in the end and that game could have went either way, but Harbaugh in the 11th game will be far bigger challenge, and DAntonio has his coaching, recruiting and winning at a higher level for many Teams to struggle not just Penn State?

These 3 games will happen near the end of the year, and watching Franklin & Staff doing against NW and UMD will be a sign too.

It takes time to recruit and rebuild an Offensive Line and implement a Coach & Staff system, Wannstedt needed 3 years, Strong at Texas is still doing it too, Golden at Miami has been struggling, and they have had Top 25 Classes too!

Buffalo will be a good indication whether Franklin's Team was just asleep by waking them up and beating them badly. I suspect that is exactly what will happen but not as confident as I was in the Preseason? We shall see?

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Hes not as good as the guy he sees in the mirror.

I have always said he has a short leash w the fanbase, given his personality and its extremely conservative nature. They could live w 8 wins w jopa, because w him they were just extra special. But, sooner than later franklin has to win SOMETHING or they will turn on him.

Great Post with much reality at a Penn state still badly divided and upset Joe is dead and legacy ruined and blame everyone else, and they drove O'Brien away instead of embracing him!