Penn State running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Sorting through the blue and white mailbag:

Neil:

“Football is our backbone,” according to Pat Kraft.

No, football is a game, student education is the backbone.

The Big Ten provides a stage, and thanks to prior leadership, the Lions are on that stage. A few wins or losses either way decide every season. There might be better than Franklin out there. Somebody might even be much better. Finding that person will not guarantee a championship in this new world of college football.

Alan Saltzman

Atlanta

Alan:

Your points are noted, but can you get 107,000 people together to brag about the debate team?

Neil:

I’m sorry to see you’re siding with Kraft. They fired the wrong guy at this time.

I thought I saw traitor Kraft up in the stands amongst the boo birds who probably don’t know what they have created for the future of Lion football.

Dave Kule

Laporte

Dave:

I didn’t like the booing, either, but think about this: At the height of his career, just 15 years ago, Joe Paterno made about $1 million in salary.

James made eight times that.

Neil:

Watching the Iowa game, it was obvious to see that Terry Smith was not in agreement with Franklin with the usage of Kaytron Allen.

We went from losing the time of possession the previous three games to winning it by over 12 minutes.

His individual results are obvious and probably could have been close to this throughout the year.

It seems the defense’s inability to close out games remains a major problem. During this current four-game losing streak the offense has scored 44.3% of their points in the fourth quarter while the defense has allowed 38.7% of the opponents’ points in the fourth. So as the offense is stepping up, the defense is collapsing. Sounds like a perfect scenario for a losing streak.

As for Franklin’s comments on GameDay, he hasn’t learned anything yet by his dismissal as he continues to toot his own horn. The difference between confidence and cockiness is the direction in which the finger is pointed. Confidence points to others who have helped you, cockiness points the finger to self.

John Pifer

Middlebury Center

John:

I’m considering giving you your own column. Please send me a mug shot.

Neil:

Wow, what a crazy three weeks.

It’s amazing that we missed the signs of what was to come.

CJF was a nice guy and an incredible program builder. We owe him a great deal.

What Franklin said on ESPN was the most telling. He said that he was proud that he “created the expectations of success” at Penn State. While I believe they were always there, I feel that those expectations got the better of him.

From the hiring of assistants to roster makeup and game management, you could see that he was putting so much pressure on himself. I think that this year it finally blew up in his face.

Hopefully the next guy can get that a little better under control.

Steve Abrams

Los Angeles

Steve:

A buyout of $49 million should cover the “great deal” of what you say PSU owes Franklin.

Hi, Neil:

After reflecting, reviewing comments, and hearing all the various names strewn about for the coaching replacement at PSU, it’s apparent that Pat Kraft is going to swing for the fences on this hire.

Matt Rhule should not be in this discussion, in my opinion.

I’m aware he’s well respected, a good coach with strong PSU ties and seems like a fine man.

I wish him nothing but success. However, hiring a coach with a similar resume to the one just dismissed makes no sense to me, even though his record was achieved under much different circumstances.

I can’t imagine the fan base being thrilled if he ends up being the selection.

I truly hope the AD hits a home run and chooses the best person for the job, much like Dave Joyner did in 2014.

Wayne Robison

Conway, S.C.

Hi, Wayne:

I understand Matt Rhule batted fourth in the State College Little League.

Neil Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com. You can also follow him on X @neilrudel