Penn State Football: 3 Biggest Questions facing James Franklin

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Is Mike Yurcich the right Offensive Coordinator for Penn State?

Penn State football was at its peak with Joe Moorhead calling plays for the Nittany Lions. It helps when you have generational talent at quarterback and running back. Ricky Rahne was no slouch once Moorhead left to be a head coach.

Joe Moorhead and Ricky Rahne were instrumental in the best four-year run James Franklin has had at Penn State. The offense was balanced and explosive. We saw glimpses of explosiveness in Mike Yurcich’s first season but no balance.

STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 02: Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich of the Penn State Nittany Lions calls in a play against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 2, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Rightfully so, James Franklin’s hire of Mike Yurcich received universal criticism after the first season. The Nittany Lion offense was the most unbalanced that we have seen under James Franklin.

James Franklin has shown that if he believes a move is necessary, he will make it. He relieved Kirk Ciarrocca after one season to bring in Yurcich.

This will be a make-or-break season for Mike Yurcich. James Franklin wants this to work. If this doesn’t work, a discouraging trend will have started.

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