Penn State suffered a big blow to its College Football Playoff hopes on Saturday after its meltdown against UCLA, making it two losses in a row for the Nittany Lions.
Head coach James Franklin and Penn State lost against the Oregon Ducks in a double overtime thriller during Week 6.
Considering it was a home game against a top conference rival, the loss was a gut punch, though Saturday’s game at the Rose Bowl presented an ideal bounce-back opportunity.
UCLA was 0-4 entering the Penn State game, looking lifeless as a football program after firing several coaches, including their head coach. Franklin’s team was expected to roll as a multi-touchdown favorite.
Instead, UCLA beat them on both sides of the ball, running it at will, while stopping the Nittany Lions’ offense from exploding.
UCLA racked up 446 total yards, almost 100 more than Penn State’s 357 yards. The Bruins especially dominated on the ground, gaining 280 rushing yards to 127 from the Lions.
In the aftermath of the loss, ESPN dropped Penn State from its top 25 power ranking following its back-to-back losses.
Franklin took responsibility for the loss, citing the lack of preparation for the game and seemingly taking the game for granted.
“Obviously, we did not handle last week’s loss well. We also lost some players in that game, and then everything else — travel, everything else — we did not come out with the right energy to start the game,” Franklin said.
“And before you know it, obviously they get a touchdown drive and an onside kick, and now you’re fighting. They gain confidence, and we’re fighting for the next three quarters. So, that’s my responsibility, and I didn’t get it done.”
Penn State still has time to turn their season around, especially with games against the Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers still left on the calendar. Their 0-2 conference record may end up taking them out of the conference title picture, but they could sneak into the playoff as a lower seed.
If Penn State does not bounce back from these losses, Franklin could end up on the hot seat after years of failing to meet expectations at a big program.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
