The relief on James Franklin’s face was visible. The emotion in his voice was clear.
Make no mistake that there was an enormous amount of pressure on Franklin and Penn State to win Saturday’s College Football Playoff game.
The Nittany Lions were 8.5-point favorites against 10th-ranked SMU playing in blustery weather at Beaver Stadium.
Win and advance to the CFP quarterfinals against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Lose and face criticism that would have grown exponentially.
Penn State made certain there would be no upset, pounding the Mustangs 38-10 and giving Franklin his 100th victory in 141 games (.709 percentage) with the Lions.
Only two other coaches have won more games at Penn State, Joe Paterno (409) and Rip Engle (104).
“I’m at a point in my career where it’s all about the players,” Franklin said. “It’s all about the players and the staff. It’s cool that (associate head coach and cornerbacks coach) Terry Smith has been there for every single one of them. So has (director of performance enhancement) Chuck Losey. It’s so cool.”
Franklin has been on a quest to make the CFP since 2016 when the Lions finished fifth in the rankings, one spot out of what was then a four-team playoff.
He’s advocated for expanding the CFP. So when the powers that be agreed to invite 12 teams, it was imperative to Franklin that Penn State make the field in its first year.
They did and received a favorable place in the bracket. Then they went out and trampled the Mustangs.
Penn State is now headed to its sixth New Year’s Six bowl in nine seasons. The Lions have 33 wins since the start of the 2022 season, tied for the best three-year stretch in school history with 1971-73. They have 12 wins for only the fourth time in school history, joining undefeated teams in 1973, ’86 and ’94.
That’s pretty darned impressive.
“I feel like just a spoke in the flywheel that he (Franklin) has created here,” said offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, who’s in his first year at Penn State. “He doesn’t get enough credit for what he’s done here consistently.”
Franklin is one of seven current FBS coaches with at least 100 wins at their current schools, joining Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, Utah’s Kyle Whittingham, Air Force’s Troy Calhoun and Georgia’s Kirby Smart.
He became the third-fastest of that group to reach 100 wins, trailing only Smart (117) and Swinney (129).
Smart and Swinney are the only active coaches to win national championships, something that Franklin continues to pursue.
His record against highly ranked teams has gotten in the way. He’s 1-14 against top-five opponents and 4-19 against top-10 foes, including the convincing win over SMU.
The perception that Franklin can’t win big games will go on until he changes it. He and the Lions have an opportunity to do that in the coming weeks, starting with the Dec. 31 Fiesta Bowl against Boise State.
They’re double-digit favorites to beat the Broncos and reach the semifinals in the Jan. 9 Orange Bowl against Georgia or Notre Dame.
In the locker room after Saturday’s win, Franklin received a game ball and a body-surf ride from his players.
“Coach Franklin gets a lot of criticism that’s undeserved,” quarterback Drew Allar said Saturday. “He’s done a lot more than people give him credit for. It’s special to be a part of his 100th win here and be the team that was able to deliver it to him.
“To have on it a stage like the playoffs and at home in Beaver Stadium, it’s truly special.”
