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Penn State Football: causes for concern against the Minnesota Golden Gophers

By Nick Kreiser

Oct 15, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards (7) rushes in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards (7) rushes in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Head Football Coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions is seen on the sideline during the second half of a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 41-17 over the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Head Football Coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions is seen on the sideline during the second half of a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 41-17 over the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

Cause for concern #2 – not letting Michigan beat you twice

The talk heading into the Michigan game was James Franklin’s record off of a bye week, which wasn’t good and has since gotten worse. That now brings up another underwhelming stat, and that is Penn State’s record following their first loss of the season under James Franklin.

Since 2014, Penn State Football is 3-5 in the game following their first loss of the season. They haven’t been able to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and get back in the win column as well as you would like.

Often times, it seems like the energy and confidence on the team is depleted following that first defeat, and they never look like the same team after.

They have an opportunity to buck that trend this week, and they’ll definitely need to in order to avoid another second half tailspin.

It’ll be up to the coaching staff and the leaders of the team to make sure they continue moving forward and focus on getting back on track this week. Don’t let the disaster at Michigan cost you a win against Minnesota.

Just like with Franklin’s record coming off of a bye week, his record coming off of the first loss of a season will continue to be an area of concern for Penn State Football fans until he proves it shouldn’t be.

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