A couple days after what may turn out to be the most shocking upset in college football this season, there are still plenty of long faces in State College.

A season that had so much promise has gone south in a hurry, and has put the panic meter up to 10 among the Penn State fan base after Saturday’s 42-37 loss to UCLA.

“It did not live up to our expectations or standards,” Franklin said. “We really haven’t had those types of games. When that happens, it forces you to look at everything from the top down, starting with me.”

Franklin said there has been no signs of the team quitting on film, and the Lions had a chance to win both games.

But the concern throughout Nittany Nation is very simple: has Franklin lost the locker room?

“I don’t have those concerns right now, but they have to tune out the negativity and focus on the things that matter,” Franklin said.

“Was there hurt on Sunday? Yeah, no doubt about it. And there should be. But we have a strong group. We have a bunch of leaders that have been through adversity in the past.

Scouting

Northwestern

It’s usually a given every Monday that Franklin will give a breakdown on the upcoming opponent on Saturday. He did not do that this week until statecollege.com’s Mike Poorman asked him about not giving the scouting report in the shorter-than-normal press weekly press conference.

Make of that what you will.

Northwestern coach David Braun is in his third season leading the Wildcats. He spent his first season as the interim coach after Pat Fitzgerald was fired due to widespread hazing throughout the program, but Northwestern dropped the interim tag and made him permanent late in the season after guiding the Wildcats to a 7-5 team. Braun was the 2023 Big Ten Coach of the Year because of the winning season in a tumultuous time.

Northwestern was only 4-8 last season, and like PSU, is off to a 3-2 start this year with wins over Western Illinois (42-7), UCLA (17-14), and UL Monroe (42-7). The Wildcats lost to Tulane (23-3) and Oregon (34-14).

“Coach Braun has done a really good job,” Franklin said. “You see this team taking on his personality.”

Wildcat QB Preston Stone transferred to Northwestern from SMU after last season. Stone was in a battle with Kevin Jennings last season to start with the Mustangs.

“We’ve been impressed with him,” Franklin said. “He can do things not only with his arm, but also with his feet.”

Belief in Penn State

A devastating loss like the one Saturday can make a coach question pretty much everything that they’re doing as a program.

Some have even wondered if Franklin has already checked out on this season with still seven more regular season games to play. But he still believes in what they’re doing.

“I believe in Penn State. I believe in our players. I believe in the men and women in the Lasch building, and I believe in myself,” he said. “Obviously after the last two games we’re going to get these types of questions. I get it. But when you look at the complete picture, and no one wants to talk about it, I need to make sure everyone in the Lasch building keeps everything in perspective.”

Staff changes?

Franklin was asked if he has considered any staff changes after the disastrous last two games. The following is his full comment:

“I understand all the questions. Ultimately it starts with me. There’s shared responsibility between myself, the coordinators, and the assistant coaches. I have a ton of confidence in those men or I would not have brought them in the building, but we’re a results-oriented business, and we need to produce. My job is to hold everybody accountable, and create an environment where the players and coaches can be successful, and that’s what we’re going to do starting with Northwestern.”

NOTABLE

• Penn State’s Oct. 18 game at Iowa was announced for a 7 p.m. kickoff from Kinnick Stadium. The game will be available by streaming on Peacock.

• Saturday’s game vs. Northwestern is Homecoming for the university, and the game will be a Stripe Out.