This was the year and this was the team for Franklin and his Penn State program to prove the doubters wrong, to extinguish the derisive "Big Game James" nickname once and for all. Led by Abdul Carter, Tyler Warren and Nicholas Singleton, Franklin compiled enough elite talent to make a real run at finally breaking through that ceiling.

Penn State finished the regular season 11-1, but the “one” was another loss to Ohio State. Franklin is 4-17 against Ohio State and Michigan, his team’s biggest rivals in the Big 10. Penn State had a favorable path to the semifinals, beating SMU and Boise State.

To Penn State fans, James Franklin should be a hero. Penn State made the Big Ten championship game and the College Football Playoff semifinals. Any Penn State supporter would have been salivating at that prospect before the season.

Penn State head coach James Franklin has a chance to lead his team to the College Football Playoff national championship game on Thursday night, but first the Nittany Lions must defeat Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Here’s a look back at Franklin’s complete history in bowl games through the years.

The Penn State Nittany Lions were eliminated from the College Football Payoff last night in the Orange Bowl, losing a ferocious battle that came down to the wire. Penn State HC James Franklin is taking a lot of criticism for his play calling which resulted in a game-changing interception.