Paul Finebaum doubts Penn State as a contender, claims James Franklin ‘will find some way to screw this season up’

For the third consecutive season, a Big Ten team will open the season ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll.

Michigan opened the 2023 season at No. 2 and went on to win the National Championship, and Ohio State opened the 2024 season at No. 2 and also went on to win the National Championship. James Franklin‘s Penn State Nittany Lions will now look to become the third straight Big Ten team to win a national title after opening the season ranked No. 2 in the country.

This comes after a stellar season for the Nittany Lions, in which they made a run to the Orange Bowl (CFP Semifinal) before falling to Notre Dame 27-24. Along with a strong finish and a strong returning core, expectations are higher than they’ve ever been for Penn State heading into the 2025 season.

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum however pumped the brakes on the Penn State hype on Thursday morning’s edition of First Take. He once again brought up James Franklin‘s history of losing big games and revealed that he would have to see it to believe it.

Finebaum can’t buy Penn State as National Title contender

“No i’m not,” Finebaum responded when asked if he can buy Penn State winning a National Championship this season. “I’m well aware, we all read in the offseason and talk to people that say Penn State has an amazing roster with a quarterback coming back and they did lose a coordinator but picked up one. To me, it still has James Franklin. This sounds like low-hanging fruit, but he is still the coach and I’ve seen him in too many situations like last year with a lead against Ohio State. Like last year with a lead against Notre Dame. I think 10 points in both cases and they ended up being the loser.”

“It’s just one of these ‘I have to see it to believe it’ moments. He’s a top of the line coach and a top-10 coach but until he wins what I consider to be the ultimate game, I can’t buy it and I just would have to bet here in late August that James Franklin will find some way to screw this season up (probably even in the National Championship game).”

Since Franklin took over at Penn State in 2014, the Nittany Lions are just 15-28 against ranked opponents.

Finebaum blasts Penn State’s schedule

“It’s hard to put a guy on the hot seat when he’s starting the season as the No. 1 or No. 2 best team in the country. But I think in perception, it is pretty hot,” Finebaum continued. “I’m sure there will be some local publication in Penn State saying ‘Franklin is on the hot seat’ but that’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that when you’re supposed to win and you finally have the best roster you’ve ever had, you better win. I don’t think he will.”

“One thing that really bugs me about this Penn State season is their non-conference games. They literally play three high school teams in the preseason and that doesn’t get you ready. At least Ryan Day is playing a big-time opponent. Other schools are doing that.”

“James Franklin is playing nobody. Take a look at that non-conference schedule and it is beyond embarrassing. But remember one more thing; they’re in the Big Ten and the Big Ten loves (other than Ohio State and Oregon occasionally) these pathetic schedules. Indiana’s coach (Curt Cignetti) is mouthing off the other day and they just added ‘Slippery Rock and Kennesaw State’ and a couple of schools like that instead of playing meaningful games where this committee at the end of the year (should you slip up once or twice) can legitimately measure who you are and what you’re all about.”

Penn State opens its highly anticipated 2025 campaign at home against Nevada on Aug. 30. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 PM on CBS.