It's a potential national title-or-bust season for the Penn State Nittany Lions and coach James Franklin this fall.
With most of their key stars returning, a Big Ten coach who spoke on the condition of anonymity for Athlon Sports dropped an eye-opening assessment of Franklin's tenure in State College regarding why this season is simply a can't-miss.
“This is the season James Franklin’s entire coaching career could be judged by. If they can’t change their big-game problems with this group, it’s not happening," one coach said.
Although The Sporting News' Bill Bender didn't go to that specific extreme, he did give Franklin his flowers as having done enough to finally give himself the best chance to knock off the Ohio State Buckeyes and Ryan Day in November.
Bender cited Franklin's head-scratching 1-10 record head-to-head against the Buckeyes, further noting how much the addition of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles could pay dividends when the Big Ten's heavyweight-type attraction rolls around.
Bender ranked Franklin No. 8 in TSN's top 25 college football coaches rankings, which is a considerably appropriate ranking considering the others who sit ahead of him (Day included).
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Although the Buckeyes are a must-have game to make a push toward another Big Ten title berth, there are a few others of note: a Big Ten title game rematch against the Oregon Ducks in September, a home date with the Indiana Hoosiers and a possible trap game against quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the UCLA Bruins.
Another anonymous coach revealed why it isn't far off to forecast the Nittany Lions as a national title hopeful.
“They’re national title contenders because of the backfield. It would be hard to find a better overall group than [Drew] Allar and the two backs.”
The "two backs," of course, are the duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Both decided to return to Penn State alongside Allar, creating one of the most highly anticipated trios in the nation.
In almost exactly three months, Franklin's team will have a chance to prove its doubters wrong, and just maybe, win a national title.
Penn State hosts Nevada Saturday, Aug. 30, to begin the regular season.