Penn State Football: 10 reasons Nittany Lions can win the Big Ten in 2021

1. James Franklin’s sense of urgency 

It is entirely possible that the disappointing 4-5 season in 2020 was the kick in the pants that Franklin and this program needed to not get too comfortable with the status quo.

Franklin called this a “critical” offseason and has shown a sense of urgency and transparency we have not seen from him outside of the post game press conference after the Ohio State loss in 2018 where he said they were not quite yet an “elite” program.

In the past, he has been criticized for being loyal to a fault at times, but he has bucked that trend this offseason. Firing Kirk Ciarrocca after just one season, a season in which was hindered by Covid-19 and hiring Yurcich was an ultra-aggressive move. He has gone out and made other hires on the staff that prove he understands the importance of the 2021 season.

The use of the transfer portal, getting five players that should all play a significant role next season was also a bit out of character for the eighth year head coach.

If the offseason was critical, what is the season itself? Franklin knows the standards and expectations at Penn State. His sense of urgency should be felt throughout the program, and could lead the turnaround for this program.