Big Ten Daily (Dec. 31): Mike Locksley Leads Maryland To Consecutive 8-Win Seasons

Mike Locksley still has a ways to go until he's mentioned in the same category as legendary Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, but he's working his way into that conversation. 

The Terrapins scored a 31-13 win over Auburn in the Music City Bowl on Saturday, finishing the season with an 8-5 record. Even more impressively, Maryland cruised to the victory without the services of quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who opted out of the postseason.

With the win, Maryland has now finished with consecutive eight-win seasons for the first time since 2002-03, when it posted records of 10-2 and 11-3 in back-to-back years.

This season also marked the third straight bowl appearance for the Terrapins — the first time that's happened since 2006-08. 

"I'm proud of this team. Proud of the way the seniors led this program," Locksley said after the game. "Three straight bowl wins, back-to-back eight-win seasons — it's not easy to do here.

"The seniors have played such a vital role in putting this thing together. It's a lot of blood, sweat and tears from the players, coaches and staff throughout the finish of this season."

Before the season kicked off, Locksley mentioned that he would finally start allowing his players to start talking about championships. He believed the Terrapins had the experience, skill and leadership to be in the conversation.

Obviously, Maryland didn't quite reach that level this fall. But that shouldn't take away from what Locksley has done in his first five years with the program. In his first two seasons, the Terps were just 5-12.

Now, Locksley has accomplished something in College Park that hadn't been done in two decades. Maybe the Terrapins aren't quite into the championship tier yet, but the program is in the best shape it's been in since the Friedgen years.

James Franklin Criticism

Despite another 10-win season, James Franklin has provided Penn State fans with something to gripe about heading into the offseason. The Nittany Lions lost 38-25 to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl on Saturday, ending the year on a sour note.

Franklin's critics were quick to take to social media. You can't really blame them, either.

Saturday's loss was another example of Penn State falling short in a big game. While the losses to Ohio State and Michigan would've continued to eat away at the Lions in the offseason, a victory over Ole Miss would've given fans a more positive vibe heading into 2024.

Instead, it felt like the "same ol', same ol'" from Franklin. He's 1-15 against teams ranked in the top-five and 3-22 against top-10 foes. 

The idea of moving on from Franklin is a ridiculous notion. He's led the Nittany Lions to a 10-win season five times in the last eight years. They've played in a bowl game every season.

It's difficult to find that level of consistency in a coach.

But at Penn State, winning conference championships and competing for national titles is an expectation. So, while Franklin has enjoyed plenty of success in State College, he needs to figure out how to get his program over the hump.

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