The relief on James Franklin’s face was visible. The emotion in his voice was clear.
Make no mistake, Franklin and Penn State were under enormous pressure to win Saturday’s College Football Playoff game.
The Nittany Lions were 8.5-point favorites against 10th-ranked SMU, playing in windy weather at Beaver Stadium.
Win and advance to the CFP Quarterfinals against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Losing and facing criticism that would have increased exponentially.
Penn State made sure there would be no surprises, beating the Mustangs 38-10 and giving Franklin his 100th win in 141 games (.709 winning percentage) with the Lions.
Only two other coaches have won more games at Penn State, Joe Paterno (409) and Rip Engle (104).
“I’m at a point in my career where it’s all about the players,” Franklin said. “It all depends on the players and the staff. It’s cool that Terry Smith (associate head coach and cornerbacks coach) has been there for every one of them. The same goes for Chuck Losey (Director of Performance Improvement). It’s so cool.
Franklin has been seeking to qualify for the CFP since 2016, when the Lions finished fifth in the standings, one spot out of what was then a four-team playoff.
He advocates the enlargement of the CFP. So when the powers that be agreed to invite 12 teams, it was imperative to Franklin that Penn State be in the field in its first year.
They did so and secured a favorable place in the group. Then they came out and trampled the Mustangs.
Penn State is now headed to its sixth New Year’s Eve bowl in nine seasons. The Lions have 33 wins since the start of the 2022 season, tied for the best three-year streak in school history with 1971-73. They have 12 wins for just the fourth time in school history, joining undefeated teams in 1973, 1986 and 1994.
It’s pretty darn impressive.
“I feel like just a spoke in the wheel that he (Franklin) has created here,” said offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, who is in his first year at Penn State. “He doesn’t get enough credit for what he’s done here consistently.”
Franklin is one of seven current FBS coaches with at least 100 wins at their current schools, joining Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, Utah’s Kyle Whittingham, Air Force’s Troy Calhoun and Georgia’s Kirby Smart.
He became the third fastest in this group to reach 100 wins, behind Smart (117) and Swinney (129).
Smart and Swinney are the only active coaches to have won national championships, something Franklin continues to pursue.
His record against highly ranked teams stood in his way. He is 1-14 against top-five opponents and 4-19 against top-10 opponents, including the convincing win over SMU.
The perception that Franklin can’t win big games will persist until he changes it. He and the Lions have an opportunity to do that in the coming weeks, starting with the Dec. 31 Fiesta Bowl against Boise State.
They are double-digit favorites to beat the Broncos and reach the Jan. 9 Orange Bowl semifinals against Georgia or Notre Dame.
In the locker room after Saturday’s victory, Franklin received a game ball and a body-surf from his players.
“Coach Franklin gets a lot of criticism that’s not deserved,” quarterback Drew Allar said Saturday. “He did a lot more than people give him credit for. It’s special to be part of his 100th win here and to be the team that was able to give it to him.
“To be on a stage like the playoffs and at home at Beaver Stadium, it’s really special.”
