The stat that probably incites Franklin most is his 1-15 record vs. AP top-5 teams. Most of those losses were to Ohio State and Michigan. They also include all three losses from the 2024 season. Franklin autotuned the answer, acknowledging and moving on.

The Penn State head coach expressed confidence in the defensive tackle group led by Zane Durant and Alonzo Ford. Behind them, he noted it’s a matter of getting consistency from player likes like Xavier Gilliam, Owen Wafle and Ty Blanding.

Penn State’s appearance in last season’s Big Ten championship game was the Nittany Lions’ first since 2016, the year Saquon Barkley, Trace McSorley, Chris Godwin and the rest knocked off Wisconsin in Indianapolis to win the title.