James Franklin's 100th win at Penn State comes in CFP opener - ESPN

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — It was exactly the type of moment that would've fueled underpinned every criticism leveled at Penn State coach James Franklin, college football's standard bearer for the «best coach who hasn't won the big one» label.

Facing a fourth-and-1 at his own 19, up 14 with 9:30 to play in the first half of Penn State's first-round playoff game against SMU, Franklin left his offense on the field. The unit had done little through three prior drives, but two pick sixes by the defense had the crowd of 106,000 on its feet and SMU on its heels. Now, here was Franklin, rolling the dice in a moment that might be a red carpet for the Mustangs to march back into the game.

And, as it's gone so many times when Penn State has stared victory in the biggest moments in the face, the call backfired.

«I bet you were tweeting your tail off,» Franklin joked to media when asked about the play afterward.

So, here he was again: Franklin outsmarting himself, stubbing his toes in a critical moment, a decision that would surely doom Penn State again.

Only this time, the story ended differently, and looking back, it was a call that set the tone for what proved to be a dominant 38-10 Penn State win.

Four plays after the doomed fourth-down try, with SMU facing a second-and-goal at the 7, Dom DeLuca picked off a Kevin Jennings pass, the Nittany Lions offense roared to life on the ensuing drive, and a 25-yard Kaytron Allen touchdown delivered what felt like a mortal wound to SMU's comeback hopes.

«I told the guys we were going to call the game aggressively,» Franklin said. «I wanted them to play aggressively. Don't play on your heels, play on your toes. Fourth-and-1, I can't say that all week long and then not do it.»

Saturday's win — Penn