"It's time" - Joel Klatt gets blunt on pressure for Penn State HC James Franklin to deliver in 2025 with Drew Allar at QB

After James Franklin led Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinal last season, there's been an increased confidence in the team. For the first time under the coach, the Nittany Lions are considered a national championship contender.

Joel Klatt outlines what the pressure looks like for Franklin on Monday's episode of his eponymous podcast. The Fox Sports analyst believes it's time the coach leads the Nittany Lions to the ultimate goal after the team's giant strides in 2024.

“For James Franklin, it's time,” Klatt said (Timestamp: 6:56). “And everybody around that program knows it. He knows it; his coordinators know it, even the new one, Jim Knowles, the defensive coordinator coming over from Ohio State, knows it.

“This is a program that has built itself on such solid footing over the last few years, making it to the national semifinals a year ago, playing for a Big Ten title a year ago.”

Penn State has several seniors returning on both sides of the ball in 2025, giving them a noteworthy edge in the race for the national title. Notable names returning include quarterback Drew Allar, running back Kaytron Allen, running back Nick Singleton, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, and defensive tackle Zane Durant.

Joel Klatt outlines a major flaw for James Franklin’s Penn State

Penn State has been consistent on the field under the leadership of James Franklin. The team has rarely lost when they are the favorites. However, the story is not similar against the higher-ranked teams and Joel Klatt sees this as a problem entering 2025.

“Here's the problem," Klatt began. "Penn State under James Franklin still doesn't have that win, at least in recent vintage in the last four or five seasons, against a team that maybe they are similar to or matched up with, or even an underdog too. I would call it a matchup game.

“When talent is equated, what has generally happened is that Penn State has fallen short. They have not won those games against Ohio State or Michigan in previous seasons or Oregon last year.”

James Franklin holds a disappointing 4-20 record against opponents ranked in the Associated Press top 10 so far in his tenure at Penn State. He is also just 3-11 in those matchups when his team is ranked in the top 10.

The Nittany Lions have to improve their performance in the high-stakes games to challenge for the national title.