No. 7 Penn State head coach James Franklin came into the 2025 season with unwavering confidence in his team. He was completely sold on the fact that the Nittany Lions (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) had the best personnel from coaches to players they had in 12 seasons. It was an all-in season, and Franklin prided his team on that.
After losing the Oregon in Week 5 and getting brutally upset by unranked and winless UCLA in Week 6, Franklin was faced with his own preseason claims.
"I mean, how am I supposed to answer that when we lose the last two games, then obviously that's all that matters. We didn't win the last two games," Franklin said after being asked if that's still the case after Week 6's loss. ". . . obviously I felt that way or I wouldn't have said it, but after two losses, it's hard for me to answer that question and say that that's the case."
Before the season, Penn State coach James Franklin called this team his best combination of personnel and coaching in 12 seasons.
— Mark Wogenrich (@MarkWogenrich) October 4, 2025
Asked whether that’s still the case after the loss to UCLA, Franklin said this. pic.twitter.com/TFbZCAsvPK
Penn State lacked energy right out of the gate. It came in feeling somewhat like a national championship worthy team in Week 1, but that deflated once Week 2 rolled around. Quarterback Drew Allar isn't what he and Franklin promised and Franklin's coaching continues to be unimpressive. It didn't matter if everyone came back, it didn't matter that the Nittany Lions got defensive coordinator Jim Knowles out of Ohio State, and it didn't matter that they got three transfer wide receivers in the offseason.
From coaches to players, the personnel lacks. No serious improvements were made from 2024.
While the wide receiver unit is making catches and touchdowns, it's still not what Penn State had in mind. The three transfers aren't adding anything substantial or impactful with an overall offense that's performing well under standards. The running back unit isn't dominating like it should with Nicholas Singleton barely getting any yards. Right now, the star running back averages 3.8 yards per carry over five games and has a total of 239 yards on the ground. The tight ends are relatively quiet. Allar is still Allar. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is calling questionable plays in desperate times.
As for defense, one linebacker sustaining injury and getting sidelined was apparently enough to crack the system. Tony Rojas' absence on Saturday loomed large as the defense allowed the Bruins to take a 20-point lead heading into halftime. Knowles couldn't stop the bleeding. Like many others on the staff and player roster, Knowles isn't living up to the preseason hype.
There's no complementary football happening, the personnel isn't jiving, and Franklin doesn't have answers.