Franklin: College football reopening 'needs to be national or not at all'

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If and when college campuses open back up ahead of the football season, Penn State head coach James Franklin wants an even playing field.

Franklin says the NCAA should ensure conferences aren't opening too early, and no school is gaining a competitive advantage.

"For example, with the Big Ten, say we have two or three schools at the end of the season who are part of the playoff conversation. The schools that we're competing against in other conferences, (let's assume) they were able to open before we were, and the Big Ten held back certain schools. ... It's not ideal," Franklin said, according to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.

"(College football reopening) needs to be national or not at all," he added.

Franklin acknowledges the pandemic is affecting some states more than others. Still, he'd like to see consistent instructions given across the Big Ten.

"Arizona is going to be very different than New Jersey. Maryland is different than Florida," he said. "I don't think you're going to like it. I don't think people are going to be happy about it, but I think, in reality, I don't see how you're going to be able to hold up 10 or 12 schools in one conference from two states that are opening up a month later."