Big Ten football: Comparing Michigan, Penn State ahead of top-10 battle

Comparing coaches

Both Jim Harbaugh and James Franklin are very accomplished coaches and great recruiters. As two of the best coaches in the Big Ten, this game should be a great test for both programs.

James Franklin

Franklin took over a mess when he was brought on in 2014. Just a few seasons prior, Penn State was handed a death sentence by the NCAA due to the Jerry Sandusky scandal, and no one expected a fast turnaround at all. By the time the sanctions dropped in 2016, Franklin had his squad in the Big Ten title game.

Yes, sometimes James Franklin makes some odd calls and has poor clock management, but overall he is one of the best coaches in college football. Franklin has made Penn State football nationally relevant again and is 3-3 against Jim Harbaugh since the sanctions ended.

JAMES FRANKLIN KEY STATS:

• 72-34 overall (9 years)
• 1 Big Ten East title (2016)
• 1 Big Ten title (2016)
• three 10-win seasons at Penn State (2016, 2017, 2019)
• Two NY6 Bowl wins at Penn State (2017 and 2019)

JAMES FRANKLIN SINCE 2015:

7-6, 11-3, 11-2, 9-4, 11-2, 4-5, 7-6, 5-0*

*This season

Jim Harbaugh

Like Franklin, Harbaugh inherited a mess at Michigan, though had fewer factors working against him. The two coaches prior to Harbaugh combined for a 46-42 record and one 10-win season between them. During Harbaugh’s time at Michigan, he has been criticized for his lack of success against Ohio State and Michigan State but has many of the same accolades as some of the nation’s best coaches.

Harbaugh was named the coach of the year in 2021 for all of college football.

JIM HARBAUGH KEY STATS:

• 67-24 overall (8 years)
• 2 Big Ten East titles (2018, 2021)
• 1 Big Ten title (2021)
• Four 10-win seasons at Michigan (2015, 2016, 2018, 2021)
• 1 College Football Playoff appearance (2021)

JIM HARBAUGH SINCE 2015:

10-3, 10-3, 8-5, 10-3, 9-4, 2-4, 12-2, 6-0*

*This season

Statistics via ESPN and SportsReference.com