Orange Bowl REACTION 👀: Paul Finebaum QUESTIONS James Franklin 🗣️ ‘HE’S TO BLAME!’

The Capital One Orange Bowl was a dramatic rollercoaster from start to finish, and when the dust settled, Notre Dame emerged victorious with a 20-17 win over Penn State, securing a National Championship berth. But while Notre Dame fans were celebrating, all eyes turned to the Nittany Lions’ heartbreaking loss, with particular scrutiny on Penn State head coach James Franklin.

 

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The Final Moments: A Costly Mistake

As the game wound down to its final minutes, Penn State had a chance to drive for a game-winning score, with the game tied at 17. However, in a pivotal moment, quarterback Drew Aller made a disastrous decision. Under pressure, he threw an interception deep in his own territory, giving Notre Dame a short field and setting them up for a chance at the win. Mitch Jeter would go on to kick the game-winning field goal with just 7 seconds left, sealing the Irish’s spot in the National Championship.

 

While the interception was a critical mistake, the debate quickly shifted to James Franklin’s decision to be aggressive in the final minutes. Franklin had opted to trust his quarterback, allowing him to push for a game-winning score rather than playing conservatively and hoping for overtime.

 

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Paul Finebaum’s Bold Take: ‘HE’S TO BLAME!’

On ESPN’s postgame analysis, Paul Finebaum didn’t hold back in his criticism of Franklin’s decision-making. “He’s to blame,” Finebaum declared, pointing out that Franklin’s aggressive call in the final moments was a massive risk that ultimately led to Penn State’s downfall.

 

Finebaum argued that Penn State had not been able to generate consistent offense, particularly in the passing game, and that Franklin should have played it safer with the game tied. “When you’re in a situation like that, you take a few shots, but they should be safe. You don’t put the game in the hands of a quarterback who’s been inconsistent,” Finebaum stated.

 

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Franklin, who has faced criticism for his big-game failures in the past, now finds himself under the microscope once again. With a 1-15 record against top-five teams at Penn State, his leadership in crunch-time situations has been called into question, and this latest loss will only add fuel to that fire.

 

EJ’s Counterpoint: ‘You Have to Be Aggressive’

While Finebaum’s take was critical, former quarterback EJ offered a different perspective. EJ defended Franklin’s decision to be aggressive, arguing that in moments like these, a coach should trust his quarterback to make a play and go for the win. “As a quarterback, you want that pressure. You want the ball in your hands in the final moments. Drew Aller has been great all season, so I understand why Franklin trusted him,” EJ explained.

 

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EJ acknowledged that Aller had not been perfect, particularly in the second half, but believed that Franklin’s choice to be aggressive was justified. “In those moments, you can’t play scared. You go for the win and trust your guys,” he said.

 

Drew Aller’s Regret: ‘I Should Have Thrown It Away’

After the game, Drew Aller took responsibility for the critical mistake. Reflecting on the play, he admitted, “I was going through my progression and got to the backside. Honestly, I was just trying to dirt it at his feet, but I should have just thrown it away. I didn’t execute what I was trying to do.”

 

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Aller’s self-awareness was evident, as he knew the gravity of his mistake. “I should have thrown it away. In that situation, you can’t make a play worse by forcing something that’s not there,” he said.

 

James Franklin’s Decision: A Head Coach’s Responsibility

Despite the blame falling on Aller for the interception, Paul Finebaum’s criticism ultimately returned to James Franklin. “He’s the head coach. He makes $10 million a year to make these decisions. At the end of the day, the responsibility lies with him,” Finebaum argued. “You can’t just put this all on the quarterback.”

 

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Franklin’s decision to go for the win instead of playing for overtime will be remembered as the defining moment of the game, and the fact that it backfired will add another chapter to the long-running narrative of Penn State’s struggles in big games.

 

Conclusion: The Fallout for Penn State and Franklin

For Penn State, this loss stings. The team had its chances, particularly in the first half when it dominated much of the action. But missed opportunities and poor execution, especially from Aller in the second half, left them with no margin for error. The final interception will be remembered as a crushing blow, but it was Franklin’s aggressive call that ultimately set the stage for the game’s dramatic ending.

 

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As for James Franklin, the pressure continues to mount. With a 1-15 record against top-five teams, he will have to answer questions about his ability to win in big moments. Penn State’s quest for a National Championship continues to be elusive, and this loss will only intensify the scrutiny surrounding Franklin’s leadership.

 

Meanwhile, Notre Dame celebrates an incredible victory, heading to the National Championship for the first time since 2013. But as the Irish savor their win, the conversation will inevitably shift back to Franklin’s fateful decision in the Orange Bowl and its ramifications for Penn State’s future.

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