Ahead of the highly anticipated Orange Bowl matchup against Notre Dame in a College Football Playoff semifinal contest, Penn State coach James Franklin made headlines with his bold statements about the future of college football. Franklin, known for his candidness, didn’t hold back in expressing his belief that the sport is in dire need of major changes.
Standardization Across College Football
Franklin opened the discussion by emphasizing the need for consistency across the landscape of college football. “Obviously, you talk about the differences between our two programs and conferences,” he stated. His comments seemed to put his counterpart, Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman, in a bit of an uncomfortable position as they shared the stage.
“I think it should be consistent across college football,” Franklin continued. “Again, this is no knock at coach or Notre Dame, but I think everybody should be in a conference. I think everybody should play a conference championship game or no one should play a conference championship game.”
Freeman, who was present during this discussion, appeared to shift uncomfortably in his seat, perhaps realizing the implications of Franklin’s words regarding Notre Dame’s independent status.
The Case for Conference Games
Franklin didn’t stop there. He elaborated on his point, advocating for uniformity in the number of conference games played by teams across the nation. “I was a head coach in the SEC, I’ve been a head coach in the Big Ten,” he explained. “I was in the SEC when the whole conversation was whether to go to eight or nine conference games. We voted, all the coaches voted against going to nine games. The commissioner agreed and kept it at eight. I think it was one of the better decisions the SEC made.”
He contrasted this with the Big Ten’s decision to play nine conference games, noting, “I was not a math major at East Stroudsburg, but just the numbers are going to make things more challenging if you’re playing one more conference game. So I just think things need to be consistent across college football.”
Freeman’s Response
Freeman was eventually given the opportunity to respond to Franklin’s assertions during the Orange Bowl press conference. When asked about whether Notre Dame should remain independent, he skillfully sidestepped the question, stating that he would adapt to whatever circumstances arise. He acknowledged Franklin’s extensive experience in coaching, saying, “James has been in these types of situations longer than I have.”
Franklin, with a hint of humor, responded, “I think in a very eloquent way Marcus just called me old. Experienced. That word. Yeah.” His lightheartedness did not detract from the seriousness of the topic at hand.
Challenges for the Playoff Committee
As Franklin continued to articulate his views, he made a compelling argument about the challenges faced by the College Football Playoff committee. “I guess what I would say, the reason that I feel that way is I look at the College Football Playoff committee and I just try, most things in life I try to look at things from both perspectives, right?” he said. “And I just try to sit here and say if I was in that room and I’m getting criticized about who makes the playoff, whether it was four or twelve, and everybody’s got an opinion, I just think how do you put those people that are in that room to make a really important decision that impacts the landscape of college football and they can’t compare apples to apples or oranges to oranges. I think that makes it very, very difficult.”
This raises an important question: How can a committee make fair decisions when the criteria and contexts for each team vary so drastically?
The Importance of Strength of Schedule
Franklin also touched on another critical aspect: the strength of schedule. “Strength of schedule plays a factor, and obviously Notre Dame plays a great schedule every year and have forever,” he acknowledged. “And I get the understanding and the impact of independence on their program. I’m just talking about it more strictly from the College Football Playoff committee sitting in that room trying to make decisions. How do you make decisions when every conference is different, schools are different? I think it puts them in a very difficult position, and I’m speaking on it more from that behalf.”
This highlights a significant dilemma in college football: the balance between tradition and the evolving nature of the sport. Should teams like Notre Dame, with their storied history of independence, conform to a more standardized model? Or does their unique status add to the richness of college football?
Looking Ahead
As the Orange Bowl approaches, the discussions sparked by Franklin’s comments will likely continue to resonate throughout the college football community. The need for change is palpable, and the questions raised about conference alignment, playoff criteria, and the future of independence are more relevant than ever.
With passionate voices like James Franklin advocating for a more standardized approach, the landscape of college football may be on the brink of transformation. As fans, players, and coaches alike ponder these changes, one thing is clear: the love for the game remains unwavering, and the quest for fairness and consistency will continue to drive the conversation forward.
