Is this season 11-1 or bust for Penn State? Yes — time is now for Nits to take next logical step

PSU point/counterpoint

Welcome to another season and our point-counterpoint.

On this question, I'm going to say yes.

It doesn't mean 10-2 -- and presumably another two losses to Ohio State and Michigan -- should put James Franklin on the hot seat, although anything less will be a disappointing season.

It just means the time is now for Franklin and the program -- given the talent they've recruited -- to take that next logical step toward Big Ten title and national championship contention.

Which is precisely what he is being paid (handsomely) to do.

With a first-year starting quarterback in Drew Allar, no matter how anticipated he is, it's not fair to expect Penn State to defeat both the Buckeyes and Wolverines this year.

The Nittany Lions have not beaten both in the same season since 2008 and they've only done it twice, the other being 1994, in their Big Ten existence.

Beating one, though, would represent progress and show some marked improvement for Franklin -- especially if the Nits can beat Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have owned Franklin, going 8-1 against him with the Lions' lone win coming on the blocked field goal returned for a touchdown -- a bit of a fluke.

Penn State maximized that gift by going on to win the Big Ten championship in its only conference title game appearance.

While Franklin is 3-6 against Michigan, the games against the Buckeyes have actually been more competitive as the Nits have let several leads get away and lost because they couldn't put away games in the fourth quarter.

Michigan proved to be on a different plateau physically last year as the Lions lost the game at the line of scrimmage, unable to run the ball or stop the Wolverines' ground game. Afterward, Franklin even complained that his defensive linemen weren't big enough.

This year, though, that game is at Beaver Stadium and -- should the Nits beat the Bucks and manage the rest of their schedule -- could potentially feature a matchup of unbeatens on Nov. 11.

Going 11-1 in the regular season this year would show Franklin is ready to take the program from good to great or, dare we use the word he did, "elite."

With a quarterback who is already projected into the way-too-soon Heisman Trophy conversation, these next two seasons should paint a pretty clear picture of Penn State's future -- and just how optimistic the fan base can be.

It's not too soon to expect that process to begin this year, and with Franklin's 10th season ready to dawn, anything less than 11-1 will fall short of being a season everyone can feel great about.

So, yes, 11-1 or bust.

Rudel can be reached at 814-946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com.