Penn State head football coach James Franklin still has his fair share of critics, including SEC pundit Paul Finebaum.
With the college football season under two months away, the Nittany Lions remain a key Big Ten contender to make a deep playoff run. But before the season gets underway, Franklin got called out by Finebaum during SEC Media Days over a head-scratching concern.
“I thought I retired the trophy, but nobody has ever retired a trophy more embarrassing than Penn State," Finebaum said. "That is a disgrace for a Big Ten school to play three cupcakes like that. I mean, well, you have LSU and Clemson. You have Miami and Notre Dame. I mean, you have Ohio State hosting Texas. And I can’t even remember what directional school Penn State’s opening with, because it’s that bad.”
Finebaum was the furthest from finished. He still doesn't trust Franklin to win critical games when it matters most for Penn State, either, despite the plethora of talent it returns.
"I’m not going to sit here and belittle Penn State," Finebaum said on "Get Up." "I think they are the best team in the Big Ten, but James Franklin is still coaching and the last time I saw him in a big game, he did what he always does in a big game. He choked. I fully expect somewhere late in the season, when maybe the Big Ten and the SEC meet, he’ll choke again.”
Finebaum broke down why Franklin's criticism is justified.
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“I believe it’s Penn State because of this reason," Finebaum said. "They may very well be favored to win the Big Ten and James Franklin does not handle pressure well. He had a 10-point lead against Ohio State last year. Blew it. He had a 10-point lead against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. Blew it. And that’s why he gets in trouble with his fanbase."
Further validating Finebaum's point, Penn State plays Nevada, FIU and Villanova to begin the season before transitioning to league play. Not exactly the most eye-opening resume boost, unlike the examples as mentioned earlier from Finebaum.
For now, most of Finebaum's remarks are hearsay. Franklin will have a chance to prove him wrong this season.