Penn State Football’s top 10 wins of the James Franklin era

No. 2 – 2016 vs Wisconsin (Big Ten Championship)

This win was James Franklin’s first, and so far only, championship as the Penn State Football head coach.

This was also Franklin’s first win over a ranked opponent away from Beaver Stadium.

In a game that the Nittany Lions trailed 28-7 late in the first half, and 28-14 at halftime, this may be Franklin’s best game as far as halftime adjustments.

At the time, Trace McSorley set the record for most passing yards in a Big Ten Championship game with 384, a record that has since been broken. McSorley would go on to win MVP of the Big Ten Championship game. Saquon Barkley added two touchdowns, one rushing, and he also scored the go ahead touchdown on an 18 yard reception out of the backfield.

Entering this game ranked seventh, the win allowed Penn State Football to climb up to fifth in the final college football playoff rankings. Though they did ultimately just miss out on the College Football Playoff, it was the first time Penn State Football had been ranked in the top five since the 2009 season.

This win put Penn State Football on the doorstep of the college football playoff, and they have (for the most part) remained there since then. This win put Penn State Football within striking distance of once again becoming a national power.