Penn State Legend Sounds Off On Struggles vs. Michigan Football

We are now a few days removed from the Wolverines’ latest win over the Nittany Lions — the program’s 17th win (in 27 games) against Penn State, its seventh win (in 10 games) against James Franklin, and its third win in a row over the Nittany Lions (2021-2023). After the game, PSU legend and College Football Hall of Famer LaVar Arrington appeared on FOX Sports Radio to sound off on a unique opinion when it comes to his school’s struggles against Michigan football.

Michigan football downs Penn State… again

After a third-straight loss against Michigan football, James Franklin is now just 4-16 against Michigan and Ohio State combined. Yet, despite his latest struggles, Franklin still commands a solid program — one that is ranked in the top 10 almost annually with plenty of New Year’s Six bowl wins, such as last year’s Rose Bowl victory over Utah, to match.

Even without Jim Harbaugh last weekend — and yes, Connor Stalions had already resigned — Michigan football marched into Beaver Stadium and beat a top-10 Penn State squad by two scores. In fact, the Wolverines were so controlling against the Nittany Lions that interim head coach and full-time offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore called over 30 straight running plays to end the game.

PSU Hall of Famer LaVar Arrington sounds off with hot take on James Franklin against Michigan and Ohio State

LaVar Arrington, a Penn State legend and one of the greatest defensive college football players of all time, appeared on FOX Sports Radio this week to give a controversial opinion that has many Nittany Lions fans conflicted. Below is what the ex-Penn Stater said about his school’s struggles against Michigan football.

“We’ve had two coaches post-Joe (Paterno), and we judge them based on what we do against Ohio State and Michigan,” LaVar Arrington said. “What I think about is — Joe (Paterno) didn’t beat Michigan or Ohio State either! I didn’t get a win against (Michigan football). Not one! We didn’t beat Michigan. So stop comparing (James Franklin) to Joe. That’s the first thing.”

As Arrington said, he played under Joe Paterno (from 1997-1999) and did not pick up a single win against the Wolverines during Lloyd Carr’s streak of dominance against the Nittany Lions. From 1997-2007 Michigan football impressively went 9-0 against Paterno and Penn State — the streak was finally broken with a loss during Rich Rodriguez’s first season in Ann Arbor (2008).

A difference in resources?

Arrington also cited issues in spending and NIL that are holding Penn State back from competing at the same level as Michigan football and Ohio State.

“… You can look at the resources that go into Michigan and Ohio State football and compare them,” Arrington said. “Just pull the finances and compare the resources that go into Ohio State football, the resources that go into Michigan football, to Penn State. … What do you think the next coach (after James Franklin) is gonna do? Because he is gonna run into the same issues.”

Penn State and Michigan football will not play again until 2026

The good news for James Franklin and Penn State following this year’s loss to Michigan football? The Wolverines and Nittany Lions are not slated to face off again for a few years, with the next series matchup coming in 2026 at the Big House in Ann Arbor.

The 24-15 loss dropped the Nittany Lions to 8-2 on the season and down to No. 12 in last night’s new College Football Playoff rankings. Conversely, Michigan is up to 10-0 on the season and remained at No. 3 in the latest CFP poll heading into this weekend’s game at Maryland.

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