Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Coach Who's 'Never Done Anything That Great'

"It feels like low-hanging fruit to take a shot at James Franklin, but it's justified," Finebaum said. "He's never done anything that great."

James Franklin Has Terrible Record in Big Games

Franklin has consistently struggled in big games. He’s just 6-6 in bowls, 1-1 in Big Ten title games and only 16-28 against ranked opponents, including a brutal 4-20 against top-10 teams. Against the nation’s elite, his record is even worse: 1-15 vs. AP top-five teams and 0-6 vs. top-five CFP teams.

Last season, Penn State recorded a 3-3 record against ranked opponents. Two of those victories came in the College Football Playoff against the SMU Mustangs and the Boise State Broncos. This season, Franklin and the Nittany Lions are scheduled to face three top-25 opponents based on preseason rankings: the No. 7 Oregon Ducks, No. 3 Ohio State and No. 20 Indiana Hoosiers.

Heather Dinich Disagrees With Paul Finebaum

Heather Dinich from ESPN disagrees with Finebaum's concerns and believes that Franklin and Penn State should be ranked as the top team in the country, surpassing Texas.

“So when you look at the hire of Jim Knowles, his defensive coordinator from Ohio State, Andy Kotelnicki coming back as offensive coordinator, and then the NFL talent all over the field with Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen on offense at running back, and then you’ve got Zane Durant on defense," Dinich previously said. "I mean, there’s no reason for Penn State, at least on paper, not to be the number one team going into this season.”

The Nittany Lions were ultimately ranked behind Texas entering the season. The Longhorns play No. 3 Ohio State to start the year.

Franklin was asked about the high ranking, which is the highest preseason ranking for the program since being ranked No. 1 in 1997.

“I don’t really feel like the expectations have changed,” Franklin previously said. “The expectations in the last football building are always high. The expectations in Beaver Stadium are always high, and the expectations in this community are always really high."

Franklin mentioned they were one drive away from playing for a national championship last year. That shows they weren't far off from hoisting that trophy. Ultimately, they lost 27-24 on a field goal in the final seconds against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Saturday could be the first step in proving Finebaum wrong when Penn State faces the Nevada Wolf Pack at 3:30 p.m. ET.