James Franklin's biggest roster move of the season paid off big in overtime

There are plenty of reasons to criticize Penn State's 11th-year head coach James Franklin, but he hasn't been complacent when it comes to addressing issues on his roster and making changes to the depth chart. In No. 4 Penn State's 33-30 overtime win at USC in Week 7, that recklessness paid off in spades with a rare big-game victory for Franklin.

Sander Sahaydak started the second season at kicker with five field goal attempts, with two misses against Illinois in Week 5. Franklin decided to cut back on junior talent and instead gave the starting spot to former walk-on redshirt freshman Ryan Barker. Since taking the job, Barker has a record of 6-6 on field goals, 8-8 on extra points and made the biggest kick of his life, a 36-yard game-winner in overtime.

In his postgame interview, CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell asked Franklin how much confidence he had in Barker. The relieved head coach of a 6-0 team said emphatically, “A ton.”

While Franklin answered the question, Barker walked in his direction, only to be interviewed by Dell immediately afterwards. Franklin paused the interview to hug his redshirt freshman and presumably say a few kind words to the player who may have saved his season and College Football Playoff hopes.

Franklin has not yet included Penn State in the CFP, even though it is arguably one of the most successful programs of the CFP era. This season, with the expanded playoffs and expanded Big Ten giving the Nittany Lions a fortunate schedule that didn't include the Michigan Wolverines, is the best chance and pressure Franklin has ever had. That may have influenced his ruthless mentality toward Sahaydak, who didn't even travel with the team to LA after being demoted to the third kicker behind Barker and Tulsa transfer Chase Meyer.

It may have seemed like an obvious move to bench a kicker who couldn't kick, but not every coach would have done it so quickly, especially when he has an undefeated record. Franklin almost came under fire for being undersized in a big game again, but this time it was one of his own coaching decisions that ensured Penn State's win.