"That's a bold lie" "Respect": Fans divided over James Franklin's Ashton Jeanty comments before Fiesta Bowl

Ashton Jeanty, the Boise State running back, was the runner-up in the Heisman ceremony with only 214 points behind Travis Hunter. He helped his team bag 3rd place in the playoff rankings with record numbers as a running back. The #2 RB carried the ball 344 times, gaining 2,497 yards for an average of 7.3 yards per carry. Jeanty reached the end zone 29 times, his best being a 77-yard run.

Boise State directly moved to the quarterfinals and will now play Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec 31. Penn State coach James Franklin dropped some enthusiastic compliments in a press conference before the Fiesta Bowl. He claimed that Jeanty is one of the best RBs in college football history and not just for this season.

However, the fans stand divided over the coach's comment with some siding with repeating his narrative while others saying the complete opposite.

Some fans still back the Boise State RB as the true Heisman winner:

"Jeanty was robbed by the Heisman Committee. #RealHeisman" A fan said.

"But yet the committee gave the Heisman to a dude because the only “coach” at a major lets a family friend play both ways. That kid wouldn’t last 1/2 a quarter in the SEC trying to play suicide ball. Furthermore…no other “coach” in the country would allow it." Another commented.

Some fans claim that the coach is setting up the premise for the media coverage after Penn State stops Boise State in the upcoming game, while others simply claim the coaching is setting up an excuse for an upcoming disappointment.

"You do understand Franklin is saying that so his defense looks even better when they shut Jeanty down. Franklin knows his D Line and LB’rs are no match for Boise OL. Don’t think for a second this comment is anything other than self serving." A fan tweeted.

"Covering his tracks in case he blows this game" Another claimed.

---

"Definitely one of the best defensive lines" Ashton Jeanty talks about Penn State's D Line

NCAA Football: CFP National Playoff First Round-Southern Methodist at Penn State - Source: Imagn

Penn State's defensive line has been critical in the team's success during the 2024 season. Defensive end Abdul Carter led the unit with 45 pressures and 10 sacks, earning him the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.

Fellow defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton contributed significantly, leading the team with eight quarterback hurries and four sacks. In the College Football Playoff win against SMU, the defensive line recorded 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and seven pressures, holding SMU to 58 rushing yards and an average of 1.6 yards per carry.

Ashton Jeanty dropped some compliments about the D Line of Penn State in the conference before the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 27.

"It's definitely one of the best defensive lines. As a collective unit, they're all great and make each other look good. Not just the defensive line, but the whole front seven. You’ve got linebacker King, a big guy at 6'1", 248, and Abdul Carter, number 11, off the edge—he’s a great player. They're all working together as a great front seven, and we’re going to have our work cut out for us." Jeanty said. [14:07]

The consistent performance has been pivotal in maintaining Penn State's defensive strength throughout the season.