Gameday
Saturday: Penn State at USC,3:30 p.m.
The line: Penn State by 4.5-points
TV: CBS
Radio: WRKY-FM 104.9
By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
James Franklin typically begins his post-game press conferences with some items he feels good about.
After last week's win over UCLA, it didn't take him long to remind us the Nittany Lions are 5-0 for the fourth straight year, that "we're the only school in the country to start 5-0 in each of the last four years," and added it's the first time that's happened in Penn State history.
It could be construed as bragging since those statistics are usually relegated to the press notes.
Two days later, veteran writer Mike Poorman of StateCollege.com, poked a hole in Franklin's balloon, saying the Lions are 13-11 after their 5-0 starts over the last three years.
Well, it's baseball playoff season so forgive Poorman for delivering a high-and-tight pitch.
For context, the scribe did want to know what's been learned from the past 5-0 starts that can be applied as a teaching moment this year.
"I think it's an opportunity after the game to make them understand that those things are special and don't take them for granted because a ton of programs would love to be able to say the same thing," Franklin said. "To me, there should be some confidence that comes from that (5-0)."
And then: "At the end of the day, all that matters is that we're 1-0 this week because if we don't handle our business ... that (5-0) stat that we're talking about won't mean anything."
True that. The 5-0 starts have included a pair of wins, home and away, over Auburn and West Virginia, and three wins over Top 25 teams - at Wisconsin (No. 12) in 2021, No. 22 Auburn also in '21 and blanking No. 24 Iowa last year.
The rest of the early-season schedules have been sprinkled with non-conference cupcakes that Franklin prefers.
Fast forward to this afternoon when the No. 4 Nittany Lions play at USC (3:30 p.m., CBS).
Penn State is the better team, having been initially installed as a 4.5-point favorite that has since climbed to 5.5.
The Trojans are 3-2 and come off a 24-17 loss at Minnesota (on a reversed late TD call), which is unfortunate for Penn State on a couple fronts:
1) Southern Cal entered that game ranked No. 11 and plummeted all the way out of the Top 25. Had USC won, given last week's upsets, it likely would have moved into the Top 10, and beating a higher-ranked opponent would look better on Penn State's resume.
2) USC is now desperate, which could make it more dangerous. The Trojans beat LSU but have lost one-score games to Minnesota and at Michigan (27-24), and other than Penn State, the highest-ranked remaining team on their schedule is No. 11 Notre Dame. A third loss could all but eliminate USC - or any team - from College Football Playoff consideration.
While Penn State fans are still waiting for Franklin to deliver on his elite promise of 2018, USC coach Lincoln Riley is coaching his way onto the hot seat - especially if he loses today.
Riley bolted Oklahoma in 2021 after an excellent run (55-10) that he hasn't matched at USC. He went 8-5 with Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams last year and is just 11-7 since the beginning of 2023.
Now in year 11, Franklin has positioned himself and the program to make the playoff for the first time.
He has a strong defense, solid lines, an experienced quarterback in Drew Allar and plenty of offensive weapons, led by tight end Tyler Warren.
His coordinator hirings, Tom Allen and Andy Kotelnicki, appear to be working out, although both must solve — pronto — their units' slow starts.
Based on the number of Penn State players on NFL rosters, the Lions' issue in key games these last few years hasn't been talent. It's been playing tight, not taking enough chances and making the wrong call at the wrong time. That's contributed to Franklin's 4-16 record vs. Ohio State and Michigan.
He's also just 2-14 against ranked opponents on the road. USC isn't ranked, but this game has a big-game feel for what it means to the rest of Penn State's season.
Franklin believes the 2024 Lions are "more physical" than last year, and a running game and defense travels so there's reason for optimism.
Since Franklin brought it up, in the three previous years Penn State has opened 5-0, it's gone 1-2 the following week - with losses at Iowa and at Michigan in 2021-22 and a win over UMass last year.
So 6-0 and 14-11 are the goals this week.
Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.