On Friday night, James Franklin did it again. Or more accurately, he didn't do it; as in win a big game. In the College Football Playoff semi-final against Notre Dame, Penn State, took a 10-point first-half lead that appeared to be commanding. On the first half's final play, the Irish cut the lead to 10-3. In the second half, the Nittany Lions were ineffective on the ground, while the Irish rushing attack came alive. Not only did Penn State QB, Drew Allar essentially throw the game away with an ill-advised fourth-quarter interception, Penn State's passing attack failed to complete any passes to a wide receiver.
The college football world was quick to blame James Franklin. It was an easy take but not a wrong one. With the loss to Notre Dame, Franklin's Penn State record against top-five, ranked teams is 1-15. Against teams ranked in the top five of CFP rankings, Franklin is now 0-6.
Brandon Marcello, writing for CBS stated, "It's been the same ol' story for the Nittany Lions over the last decade. They look like national contenders, only to fold in the biggest games of the season."
James Franklin must have at least one fan. The one sure fan must be LSU's Brian Kelly. Notre Dame making the National Championship Game looks bad for Kelly. When Kelly exited South Bend after the 2021 season he bluntly said he wanted to coach in the SEC so he could compete for national championships. In three LSU seasons that has not happened. Kelly took Notre Dame to the National Championship Game in the 2012 season; only to be embarrassed by the Alabama Crimson Tide, 42-12. That was the game when Brent Musburger stated, "If this were a prize fight, they'd call it off!"
The Cincinnati Bearcats have competed in a CFP game, though long after Brian Kelly was the Bearcats coach in the BCS era. In his third, full season, Marcus Freeman has led the Fighting Irish to the National Championship Game. Freeman's success makes Kelly look bad and Kelly has been handling looking bad without any help.
Brian Kelly - Butt of a College Football Playoff Joke
Nick Rome, writing for the LSU site, Death Valley Voice, stated Kelly "quickly became the butt of the joke." The humor probably escapes LSU fans, who were already weary of Kelly's absence from the Playoff picture. Kelly's damaged credibility will not be remedied if Notre Dame comes up short in the National Championship Game. If the Fighting Irish somehow, win it all, Kelly will be the biggest Playoff loser ever.
Brian Kelly left Notre Dame because he didn’t think he could win a national title there in the current CFB landscape. He thought LSU would be a better path.
— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) January 10, 2025
His replacement has Notre Dame just 60 minutes away from a title, and Kelly enters next season on a hot seat.
Alabama Crimson Tide fans (even those with no love for Notre Dame) are enjoying Kelly's comeuppance.