No. 4 Penn State Football travels to USC on Saturday in search of the program’s first victory at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Although the Trojans are 3-2 and coming off of a disappointing loss to the Minnesota Gophers last week, Saturday’s clash may not have as much meaning as it might‘ve had from a national perspective.
However, for Nittany Lions fans across the world, this is a chance for James Franklin to change the narrative.
Time and time again, we’ve heard from the national media how “James Franklin can’t win the big game.”
Hot starts haven’t been uncommon for Penn State though, as it’s the only program in the last four years to start each season 5-0, something Franklin takes pride in.
“When you’re able to say you’re the only team in the country that has started 5-0 in four straight years, to me that’s impactful,” Franklin said. “Consistency is something everyone is working for and is hard to do.”
The hurdle within Penn State football has been who it faces after those 5-0 starts, where it gets deeper into conference play.
Penn State Football, James Franklin Can Change the Conversation
During Franklin’s tenure, the Nittany Lions are 4-16 against Ohio State and Michigan.
Against everyone else, Penn State is 84-18– which is a record most fan bases would be happy with, but 10-2 seasons are not enough in Happy Valley.
The struggles against Ohio State and Michigan isn’t an anomaly though, as it’s a problem every Big 10 program faces.
Saturday’s matchup was supposed to be a battle between two top-10 teams, and while the Trojans lost to the Gophers, Penn State should still treat this game with that same significance.
The Trojans might not be top-10 caliber, but between the travel implications, fast-paced offense and the common slow starts from the Nittany Lions, they very well can face some turmoil this weekend.
As the nation has seen, college football has been a coin-flip this season– look at Alabama losing to Vanderbilt last weekend, for example.
Every opponent must be given respect, and Franklin’s 1-0 motto should be preached more than ever– as this Trojan team has the pieces to knock off the upset.
Under Franklin, Penn State is just 2-14 against ranked opponents on the road– not great.
But, the Nittany Lions are 25-18 in regular season conference road games.
Again, the Trojans aren’t ranked, but the Nittany Lions should view them as one.
What a Win Over USC Would Mean for Penn State Football
If Penn State wins this Saturday, it may not do so much from a national perspective, because it’s not Ohio State or Michigan.
However, it very well can and should give Penn State fans a boost in trust.
Time and time again, Nittany Lions fans have been disappointed with the same ending of “just” another 10-2 season.
With a win over the Trojans and an Ohio State win over Oregon this weekend, presents a chance of the top two teams facing each other in Happy Valley.
None of that matters though unless Franklin and company go 1-0 this weekend, and with that, just maybe the perception around him changes ever so slightly.
MORE: Penn State Gets Massive Injury News Ahead of USC Game
A note to our readers; If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may receive a commission
- No. 4 Penn State Football vs. USC Bold Predictions: Julian Fleming Breakout on The Way - October 12, 2024
- James Franklin’s Big Opportunity: How Beating USC Could Shift the National Narrative on Penn State Football - October 11, 2024
- What Channel is The Penn State Football Game On Today? How to Watch Nittany Lions vs. UCLA - October 5, 2024