Watch: Gutsy fake punt may have saved Penn State's playoff hopes

Not only did Penn State go with a fake punt, but it followed that up later on the drive by converting two other fourth-and-one plays to maintain possession of the ball for the remainder of the game, never giving Minnesota's offense a chance to win the game.

Had that fake punt failed, Franklin would have set himself up for immense second-guessing because Minnesota would have only needed a field goal to win the game. It also would have been starting that drive on the fringes of field goal range.

But the important thing for Penn State is that it did not fail, and it was able to avoid losing a game that might have put their playoff hopes in danger.

Now Penn State is 10-1 and is still in the driver's seat for a spot in the 12-team field assuming it can beat Maryland at home next week. 

It may not be a signature win over a top-tier team or top-ranked team, but Franklin made the calls he needed to make when he needed to make them.