It’s pretty clear to most people what the two best conferences in college football are, and Penn State coach James Franklin agrees that the Big Ten and SEC are just better than any other league.
Franklin feeling this way shouldn’t be surprising.
After all, the projected 12-team field currently features four Big Ten teams and four more SEC teams.
Franklin also has ties to each conference, being in his 11th season as Penn State’s head coach after spending the previous three as an SEC boss at Vanderbilt. But what’s compelling is that, after Wednesday’s practice, Franklin seemed to suggest that he’s not a fan of the Big 12, SEC and Group of 5 champions having automatic Playoff bids.
WHAT FRANKLIN SAID
Photo by Penn State Athletics: James Franklin and Pat Kraft
“Obviously, I’m concerned about Penn State and obviously I’m concerned about the Big Ten. But I’m one of the few guys that have been a head coach in both conferences. To me, the right thing to be talking about is the two best conferences in all of college football is the Big Ten and the SEC, and we should have the most teams in. I don’t think there’s any question to that. I think where it becomes problematic is when you have rules for certain teams and certain conferences to get in, and maybe people don’t feel like they’re actually in the top 12. So, I get it.
“We’re fortunate. We’re part of the two conferences that I think everybody would agree are the two strongest conferences. I don’t think we need to take shots in the Big Ten at the SEC because that’s been proven over time, and I don’t think the SEC should be taking shots at the Big Ten. We’re in a really, really good position, both conferences. I don’t think there’s any argument there. The reality is whether people’s feelings are hurt or not, these two conferences need to have the biggest number and the biggest presence in the playoffs because we’ve earned it throughout the season.”
“Whether people’s feelings are hurt or not, these two conferences need to have the biggest number and the biggest presence in the Playoff because we’ve earned it throughout the season.”
Penn State HC James Franklin made it clear how he feels about the Big Ten and SEC. pic.twitter.com/GIuHZaZWyT
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) November 21, 2024
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.IF THERE WERE NO AUTOMATIC BIDS…
ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 16: A defeated Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel walks off the field after the college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs on November 16, 2024, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire)
Ironically, the team that could be hurt most by the automatic bids Franklin seems to be against is the school that used to be his rival. Tennessee is No. 11 in the College Football Playoff rankings, so it should be sitting pretty to make a 12-team field, right?
Wrong.
Because the Big 12 has an automatic bid, No. 14 BYU is currently in line for a playoff spot. Because the highest-ranked Group of 5 team is automatically in, No. 12 Boise State currently has the bid over Tennessee.
Tennessee will be heavy favorites in both its remaining games: at home against mighty UTEP this Saturday and on the road at Franklin’s old home the next week. But winning both of those games might not be enough to get Big Orange in.
Penn State’s next game is against Minnesota this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 on CBS.
