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College Football: 5 reasons Penn State wins 2017 National Championship

By Gabe Henderson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 03: Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin holds the Championship trophy during the Big 10 Championship game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and Wisconsin Badgers on December 3, 2016, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 03: Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin holds the Championship trophy during the Big 10 Championship game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and Wisconsin Badgers on December 3, 2016, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 24: Penn State Nittany Lions head football coach James Franklin watches the action during the fourth quarter of the game at Michigan Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Penn State 49-10. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 24: Penn State Nittany Lions head football coach James Franklin watches the action during the fourth quarter of the game at Michigan Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Penn State 49-10. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

2. James Franklin

Just a few months ago, Penn State fans were ready to call it quits with head coach James Franklin. Following a 39-point loss to Michigan, the Nittany Lions found themselves coming from behind against Minnesota. While down, the Penn State fans broke out in “Fire Franklin!” chants.

A nine-game win streak, Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl appearance later, Franklin is being praised in State College. Is that fair? Well, not exactly, but Franklin embraces the situation. He earned three Coach of the Year awards in 2016 after narrowly missing the College Football Playoff. Just as things looked to be going south for the Nittany Lions, Franklin steered his team to an 11-3 season. Penn State looks to be back to its winning ways for the first time since the collapse of the Joe Paterno dynasty. All thanks to Franklin.

Franklin joined Penn State from Vanderbilt in 2014. With him, he brought over his unique coaching style and SEC experience to a recovering program. Under Franklin, the Nittany Lions struggled to keep their heads above water in 2014 and 2015. Managing a 7-6 record, the 45-year-old was doing just enough to keep his job. He inherited a less-than ideal situation, but has now steered the ship in the right direction following an 11-3 third season.

The Penn State roster is entirely comprised of Franklin’s recruits heading into 2017. He has a stout defense and two Heisman candidates on his offense, from this point forward, it’s purely coaching. The talent is all there. As a head coach in college football, we have yet to witness Franklin’s full-potential. He turned around a mediocre Vanderbilt program in a matter of years and appears to have done the same in State College. We’ve watched Franklin partake in rebuild projects, so now it’s time to see what he can do with championship talent.

If last season was any indication, Franklin’s name will be mentioned among the top coaches in college football within the next few seasons. Franklin has shown no indication or desire to leave, as he did at Vanderbilt after three seasons. He’s building a dynasty in Happy Valley, similar to what Tom Herman is beginning at Texas. He has his players, now it’s time for Franklin and the Nittany Lions to fill up the trophy case.

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