Itโs 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 shouldnโt ย 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 Stateโs head coach after spending the previous three as an SEC boss at Vanderbilt. But whatโs compelling is that, after Wednesdayโs practice, Franklin seemed to suggest that heโs 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
โObviously, Iโm concerned about Penn State and obviously Iโm concerned about the Big Ten. But Iโm 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 donโt think thereโs 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 donโt feel like theyโre actually in the top 12. So, I get it.
โWeโre fortunate. Weโre part of the two conferences that I think everybody would agree are the two strongest conferences. I donโt think we need to take shots in the Big Ten at the SEC because thatโs been proven over time, and I donโt think the SEC should be taking shots at the Big Ten. Weโre in a really, really good position, both conferences. I donโt think thereโs any argument there. The reality is whether peopleโs feelings are hurt or not, these two conferences need to have the biggest number and the biggest presence in the playoffs because weโve earned it throughout the season.โ
โWhether peopleโs feelings are hurt or not, these two conferences need to have the biggest number and the biggest presence in the Playoff because weโve earned it throughout the season.โ
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
IF THERE WERE NO AUTOMATIC BIDSโฆ
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 ย Boise ย 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 Franklinโs old home the next week. But winning both of those games might not be enough to get Big Orange in.
Penn Stateโs next game is against Minnesota this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 on CBS.
