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.

Carter entered the Orange Bowl as a game-time decision with a shoulder injury suffered against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. The junior, a Glenside native, had a breakout junior year in his first season at defensive end, finishing with 23.5 tackles for losses and 12 sacks.

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.