Penn State and James Franklin are officially at a crossroads. After the humiliating loss to Northwestern, the fanbase, alumni, and donors are unified in frustration — and the writing’s on the wall. Zach Seyko and Zane Brancefield break down why waiting until the end of the season makes no sense, how Franklin’s $50 million buyout complicates everything, and why assistant head coach Terry Smith could be the short-term answer. Plus: what firing Franklin would mean for the roster, NIL, and Penn State’s future as one of college football’s top-10 brands.

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0:00 Intro

1:10 A change needs to happen

2:47 Recent performance and fan disappointment

5:32 Franklin's body language suggests he wants out

10:38 Potential ramifications of firing Franklin mid-season

13:05 Financial implications of Franklin's contract

15:37 Has Franklin maxed out his potential at Penn State?

18:22 Comparing Franklin's tenure to other coaches

20:03 Did Franklin leverage one big win too far?

22:41 Impact of high expectations on team performance

24:07 Team cracked under pressure of expectations

26:33 Recruiting challenges and program stability

28:12 Drew Allar failed by Penn State situation