Rudel

In the old game of “Scruples,” you had three answer choices — yes, no and depends.

For this question about James Franklin, I’m going to say depends.

It’s no secret that he’s lost the fan base and that a parting of the ways could well be looming.

And based on his contract, his 12-year tenure, his big-game record and an underachieving team that all agreed — including him — was his best chance to make a deep run in the College Football Playoffs, it may make sense for this to be Franklin’s last year with the Nittany Lions.

Both for the program and for him.

But I’m not closing the door just yet.

If the Lions can reverse course and finish 10-2 — which would include a win at No. 1 Ohio State, a Top-10 victory the next week against Indiana plus a testy road trip to Iowa on Oct. 18 — they’d probably still make the CFP playoff field.

Now, almost no one will predict that scenario.

After the stunning loss to previously-winless UCLA that followed an overtime defeat to Oregon in the White Out at Beaver Stadium, Franklin’s status has been the No. 1 topic in college football and certainly locally.

He has accepted responsibility — that’s one thing he’s improved on over the past few years (of course, he’s having a lot of practice) — and understands the frustrations of the fan base.

His performance, simply, has not been good enough when the lights are the brightest.

Consequently, every angle of criticism must be accepted.

Such as:

– His expensive coordinator hires that have not worked out.

– His underachieving offense that has regressed at almost every position.

– His in-game strategy that too often ends with the wrong call.

– His weak non-conference schedule that did not prepare the Lions for the Big Ten.

Is that combination enough to jab him off the plank during or after this year? Many, if not most, think so.

However, in 2021, the school signed him to a contract through 2031, and the buyout is $56 million.

Certainly, that’s one of the worst decisions Penn State ever made, but it did make it.

Beyond his big-game futility, Franklin has been good in many areas.

He and his players have represented Penn State well.

He’s an excellent recruiter and builds positive player-coach and community relationships.

Academics haven’t been deemphasized.

Until the UCLA game, his teams generally won the games they were favored to win.

He took over the program at a very fragile point in its history and has provided valuable stability.

While he’s made maddening decisions at the worst times (like the lack of pre-halftime urgency at UCLA) he’s kept Penn State at the national forefront.

And, if it pulls the plug, the school will have to be careful it doesn’t compound a mistake.

Being competitive isn’t good enough, but Franklin’s teams almost always are.

Great as he was — especially during his prime and on the day of the game — Joe Paterno was blown out repeatedly in Columbus and also lost nine straight times to Michigan. Of course, by then, his teams had won two national titles and finished unbeaten five times.

Franklin knows the noise is deafening. He heard the “Fire Franklin” chants down 17-3 against Oregon and while coming off the field at the Rose Bowl.

He admits this year has been “extremely disappointing,” but he’s “not going to allow two games to overshadow the growth that we’ve had in this program over the last 12 years.”

Here’s the rub: Franklin can say that, but his fate at Penn State may no longer be up to him.

And yet, during this time of uncertainty, wouldn’t it be ironic if he beats Ohio State and gets this talented team to right the ship?

Then what?

Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.