Penn State football, James Franklin facing ‘new expectations’ under playoff expansion

Since the College Football Playoff era, Penn State football has been attempting to punch its ticket to the big dance. Outside looking in has been the story for the Nittany Lions. While they have come close in the past, James Franklin has yet to overcome this hurdle. But entering the 2024 season it’s no longer a question of can Penn State get in? The program’s now expected to be in the expanded 12-team playoff model.

Penn State football facing new expectations under CFP expansion

While the expanded playoff model will provide more opportunities for the Penn State football team, new expectations will be faced year-to-year. For example, if James Franklin is unable to reach the College Football Playoff this fall, he will fail to meet the standard expectations for the program nationally. Chip Patterson of CBS Sports recently explained why Franklin and the Nittany Lions have a new standard this fall.

“No program has more New Year’s Six bowl appearances without a CFP bid than Penn State. The Nittany Lions have played in a New Year’s Six bowl five times in the last eight years (with a 3-2 record in those games) and even won the Big Ten Championship in 2016 but did not get selected for the playoff. The hiccup for Franklin has frequently come at the hands of Ohio State, Michigan, or both. In fact, the Buckeyes and Wolverines represent the only regular-season home losses for Penn State over the past two seasons.

“…But now that there is an achievable goal to lead Penn State where it has not yet been, the pressure is going up. The Nittany Lions have a tram and a schedule to be in the thick of the Big Ten title and CFP races. So unlike previous years when Penn State might’ve played out the string after falling to Ohio State and/or Michigan, the late-season games for the Nittany Lions are going to be packed with playoff pressure for the team and its coach.”

It all starts in Morgantown

The College Football Playoff talk and the expectations are great off-season conversations. But at the end of the day, the first game of the season could have a lasting impression on Penn State’s resume. The Nittany Lions travel to Morgantown, WV on August 31. A much improved Mountaineers team will be awaiting the Nittany Lions.

An invested crowd and a team searching for revenge for a road loss at Beaver Stadium last September. James Franklin will also be breaking in three new coordinators on the road. West Virginia is a team that could be in the thick of the new Big 12 conference race this fall, with one of the conference’s best quarterbacks Garrett Greene at the helm. A kickoff time and network has yet to be announced for this game.

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