After a historic 2024 season that saw the Penn State Nittany Lions reach the College Football Playoff Semifinals, fans have high hopes that the program will deliver another run at glory.
However, as the upcoming season comes closer, concerns, especially from analyst Paul Finebaum, are swirling around head coach James Franklin’s ability to capitalize on a talented roster and finally deliver the national championship that has eluded Happy Valley since 1986.
Analyst Paul Finebaum Shares Criticisms Of James Franklin’s Future At Penn State
On a recent episode of The Paul Finebaum Show, SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum didn’t hold back when discussing Penn State’s outlook.
“I believe that they have a chance,” Finebaum said. “Now, it’s low-hanging fruit to attack James Franklin, but he’s never had the groceries like he does this year. By the way, he made it within a second of the championship game last year. So, it’s not like he was slumming it. He’s a hard coach to believe in.”
#WeAre proud https://t.co/ACH0L0kSDu
— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) June 8, 2025
Finebaum’s allegory about Franklin’s “groceries” is a nod to the unprecedented talent he has this year. Despite leading Penn State to the CFP semifinals, a late-game interception by quarterback Drew Allar against Notre Dame sealed their tragic loss, leaving critics like Finebaum to question Franklin’s decision-making.
Finebaum’s skepticism isn’t without reason. He draws parallels to coaches like Ryan Day and Jim Harbaugh, who faced similar doubts before breaking through.
However, his expectations about Penn State’s potential are also worthwhile. According to him, the team is not receiving enough attention as a potential contender for the national title despite having one of the best rosters in the sport this season.
Penn State’s 2025 squad is brimming with talent, returning 63% of its production, ranking 33rd nationally. The offense, retaining 72% of its output (14th nationally), is the team’s backbone. Quarterback Drew Allar, coming off a career-best season with 3,327 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and a 66.5% completion rate, anchors the unit.
Running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, who combined for over 2,000 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, provide a dynamic ground game. Defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant also return, strengthening a front that ranked among the Big Ten’s best in 2024.
However, the loss of defensive standout Abdul Carter, the New York Giants’ No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, may eventually sting them.
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Carter’s 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss last season were significant, and replacing his production will be a challenge. Penn State’s defense, which allowed just 17.3 points per game in 2024, must adapt as it faces Nevada in its season opener on August 30 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
In the end, Finebaum’s comments frame 2025 as a make-or-break year for Franklin. With a roster stacked with talent, arguably the best of his tenure, the coach will need to make a deep run to prove himself and shut the doubters. As Finebaum suggests, Franklin has the “groceries” now; all he needs to do is cook with them.
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