If Saturday’s game against Ohio State was a barometer for how close James Franklin and Penn State Football are to competing for the College Football Playoff, the answer is as far away as ever.
![Penn State Football, James Franklin, Penn State Football Recruiting](https://nittanycentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/dlv231111018_mich_v_psu.jpeg)
Even prized sophomore quarterback Drew Allar played as if the moment were too big for him, and his receivers struggled to gain any meaningful separation against the Buckeyes’ secondary.
Despite a spirited, physical, and at times dominant effort from Many Diaz‘s defense, Penn State still fell 20-12 in a game that for stretches didn’t even feel that close.
Afterwards, Penn State Football fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their disgust, with some even calling for Franklin to be fired:
FIRE JAMES FRANKLIN!!!!!
— Blue and White (@BlueWhiteSports) October 21, 2023
I’m ready for Penn State to fire James Franklin and make Manny Diaz the head coach
— Phil Moore (@philmoorept) October 21, 2023
I don't know why people lay it at the feet of Franklin. Penn State isn't a good enough program to expect much more than this. https://t.co/GtUui6PcYF
— Kyle (@puckandrally) October 21, 2023
https://twitter.com/RyanKinney_27/status/1715802417541849254
Penn State sucks.
Same as always. This isn’t a rivalry, it’s just sad.
Another year, another L.
— Philly Sports – Love & Pain (@PHLSportsPain) October 21, 2023
James Franklin ranted 5 years ago about Penn State needing to take the next step being a great program to an elite program. None of that has happened. They will never compete for anything relevant under James Franklin. Period.
— Josh (@_Philly_Talk) October 21, 2023
Penn State fanbase is absurd. The only problems we had today was not getting separation to unlock the passing game and MAYBE the O-Line not giving Allar enough time. Not Franklins fault, Not Allar’s fault. Ohio State was just the better team today. Season is not dead
— Daniel Sarp Ozel (@danielsozel) October 21, 2023
I can't wait for the " Penn State wasn't that good anyway!" talk to start.
After 2 weeks of "Penn State is going to boat race you."
Happens every time.
— Richard Murphy (@Richard77Murphy) October 21, 2023
If Penn State wants someone to stand on the sideline and make empty promises every year, I’ll do it for a hell of a lot less than $7 million pic.twitter.com/KpV9NaVnKh
— Matt Hoffman (@hoffmanmatt99) October 21, 2023
Somebody please tell me the last time Penn State had a threatening offense.
It’s been well over a decade
— Kevin (@LuckySwantucky) October 21, 2023
Another year of Penn State beating up on crap teams and getting handled when it actually counts.
— JCoulter (@JCoulterB) October 21, 2023
Penn state blows man they disappoint me every year
— steph (11-6) 🇵🇸 (@stephn0tcurry) October 21, 2023
Penn State you absolute chumps! You had one job. Why can’t you do anything right
— Paul Redman (@predman) October 21, 2023
Penn State Football aims to rebound from Saturday’s loss, when Indiana visits Beaver Stadium in Week 9.
However, even with a home date against Michigan, who shut out Michigan State 49-0 on Saturday night, it appears that Franklin and Penn State’s playoff aspirations once again remain a longshot.
MORE: Drew Allar Report Card From Disappointing Showing vs. Buckeyes
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