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Full disclosure: I've never been a fan of James Franklin.
Most will agree with me, though, that Franklin has proven over the years that he will be outcoached in big games.
So now he wants to eliminate those big non-conference games to pad his won-loss record.
He won't schedule games any more against SEC teams, depriving the loyal paying fans the opportunity to see those good teams from the SEC at Beaver Stadium.
A couple of thoughts.
1. I'm wondering how the new athletic director, Pat Kraft, feels about this? Now seems like a good time to seek him out on the subject.
2. If I'm a head football coach recruiting against James Franklin for the same four- and five-star kids, I'm telling them that if you go to Penn State you'll never get to experience home-and-away games against Alabama, Notre Dame, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Miami, Florida and others because the head coach fears playing those non-conference games, and he rarely wins the big in conference games against Ohio State, Michigan or Michigan State.
And think about this: Yes, Penn State might make the playoffs in a watered-down 12-team playoff system, but it's doubtful they will ever play for a national championship.
That's where they'd run into the same teams Franklin fears as non-conference opponents.
Wilbur Walk
Spring, Texas
(Note: The writer is a native of Tyrone)