James Franklin Press Conference: Illinois

You’ve seen Head Coach James Franklin’s competitive nature on Saturdays. He’s iced kickers, and he’s challenged bad calls whilst leading by 7 touchdowns with less than one minute to play. But if you’ve believed his competitive nature waned the slightest once the game clock read 00:00, you’re badly mistaken.

No, friends, James Franklin competes all the time - including at his Tuesday press conferences. Apparently, this week James believed he’s in competition with Illinois coach Lovie Smith, who attempted to grow an Abraham Lincoln-like beard this off season. As Coach Franklin rode a horse to the podium this week, and dismounted in grim silence, it became clear that he’d embraced Lovie’s…