Penn State head coach James Franklin is known derisively as “Big Game James.” Cause by Franklin’s College Football Betting struggles against the Big Ten’s top teams. Penn State has been able to dominate most of the Big Ten consistently. But their perpetual failures against Ohio State and Michigan have become a source of frustration in Happy Valley. Previously, in 2021, Franklin was touted to be the man who would save the USC Trojans. It was the latest of many silly season rumors that had become an annual irritant to Penn State.
College Football Futures 2024 Penn State Nittany Lions
| Penn State Nittany Lions Odds to Win National Championship | +2200 |
|---|---|
| Nittany Lions Odds to Win Big Ten Championship | +450 |
| Over/Under Win Total: | 9.5 |
2024 Nittany Lions Schedule
- Aug. 31 at West Virginia
- Sept. 7 vs. Bowling Green
- Sept. 14 Idle
- Sept. 21 vs. Kent State
- Sept. 28 vs. Illinois
- Oct. 5 vs. UCLA
- Oct. 12 at USC
- Oct. 19 Idle
- Oct. 26 at Wisconsin
- Nov. 2 vs. Ohio State
- Nov. 9 vs. Washington
- Nov. 16 at Purdue
- Nov. 23 at Minnesota
- Nov. 30 vs. Maryland
To shut down the future speculation, Penn State signed Franklin to a long-term contract. But while Franklin has been a good coach, he has not been close to a national championship. Fans are demanding the next step in 2024.
2024 Nittany Lions Preview
Previously, when he replaced both offensive and defensive coordinators in the same offseason, coach James Franklin led Penn State to the 2016 Big Ten title. There are no promises toward a repeat, but there is online betting hope and optimism.
Consider the Big Ten is in flux. And that the Nittany Lions return an experienced roster. The development of quarterback Drew Allar and the receiving corps under new coordinator Andy Kotelnicki could hold the key to the ’24 season. Especially after missing every College Football Playoff in the four-team era. Penn State should host a game this December in the inaugural 12-team version.
Following a season in which Penn State averaged 36.2 points per game overall but 13.5 against Ohio State and Michigan, James Franklin pried offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas. Franklin’s College Football Betting demands are quite simple. Kotelnicki must score points against the schedule’s best teams.
Correlate that Kotelnicki’s offense thrives with creative formations, motions, and shifts. That should be promising news for quarterback Drew Allar. The junior was among the safest bets in college football last season. Consider his his 25:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. But Franklin wants more than a safe bet.
Penn State allowed the fewest total yards and fewest yards per play in 2023 while also posting the most sacks. Hence, new coordinator Tom Allen has a high bar to clear. Allen shifted 6-foot-3, 250-pound linebacker Abdul Carter from linebacker to end. It was a move Carter suggested. Carter will team with Dani Dennis-Sutton to form an imposing edge threat. In sum, Carter and Dennis-Sutton combined for eight sacks last season.
Since 2014, James Franklin has been the head coach of the Nittany Lions. He led Penn State to the 2016 Big Ten title and won the Rose Bowl in the 2022 season. Penn State has finished in the Top Ten four times under Franklin. Still, Nittany Lion fans want more, and Franklin continues to frustrate them with seasons that are often close but with no cigar.