It’s been a while that Penn State has found itself in the position it’s in.
In fact, the Nittany Lions – unlike most of the 10 previous tries against Ohio State under James Franklin – have never been in a spot like the one they’re presently in.
For the first time in the he-needs-to-beat-Ohio-State era, Franklin’s team is playing with the emotional odds in its favor, in part, because it does not need to beat Ohio State to have a successful season. Saturday’s game offers a fascinating conundrum in the Franklin era – one that his team has rightfully earned so far this year.
By now you know Penn State is 1-9 against Ohio State under Franklin. You know the “1” in that record. You remember the feeling. You’ve seen the play endlessly every year on the week that Penn State has played Ohio State since 2016.
And every year since then, you’ve chased that feeling as a fan. You’ve thought this was the year that Penn State would finally get over the poisonous tree nut hump sitting on the schedule.
But the blue and white haven’t.
2017’s opportunity and the pressure to back 2016 up sputtered out in Columbus. 2018’s get-it-right-at-home pressure collapsed on 4th-and-5, and every one of the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 games meant more to Penn State than Ohio State.
For one reason or another – whether it be that 4th-and-5, blown leads late or most recently, a bad offensive coordinator – Penn State could not seal the deal in those contests, though. All of that has led to animosity toward the coach that even the most forgiving Penn State fan can justly place on the head coach’s shoulders.
Franklin also put some of that pressure on himself and his program to win in those moments, too. You, of course, remember the speech. You remember the word used in the speech. As each attempt against the Buckeyes failed, you’ve brought it up with some merit, and in each one of those unsuccessful tries, there’s also been two pieces of context that have weighed heavily.
Ohio State was not the only problem lingering on Penn State’s schedule every year in the Big Ten East. The matchup with Michigan offered opportunities to plant some hope into the season and caused almost as many problems when the outcomes went the wrong way.
In addition to a two-headed monster every year on the schedule, the College Football Playoff only invited four teams to its party. Fundamentally, it changed the way we view success as fans for college football programs, not just for the one located in Centre County but also others around the country.
Now in 2024, Penn State doesn’t have that Michigan test on its schedule. It has most likely faced and conquered its second and third toughest tests of the planned season, emotionally beating USC and then downing Wisconsin – even on the back of a backup quarterback. With those wins, Penn State has bought itself some breathing room.
If Penn State loses to Ohio State on Saturday, thanks in part to that expanded playoff too, and does what it’s supposed to in the other four remaining games, it will be virtually guaranteed a spot in the 12-team tournament.
It turns out that for once there is margin for error around these parts, and in Columbus, there is not.
Ohio State has already failed its first test of the season with poor time management and poor game awareness against Oregon. Ryan Day, already on a warmer than probably warranted seat, is under immense pressure to deliver a payout with the Buckeyes’ 20 million dollar roster. A loss creates optics that roster is inferior to its eastern neighbors. Plus, Ohio State still has a pestering matchup with Michigan to close out the 2024 campaign that’s about as predictable as the Powerball.
Much like 10-2 probably would get Penn State into the playoff, 10-2 probably gets Ohio State into the playoff — should it lose to either the Nittany Lions or Wolverines. But why take the chance?
Ohio State needs this win more than Penn State does, and that obvious difference here feels so glaring it’s impossible to avoid.
A win for Penn State would also create a feeling that’s hard to avoid, too. A victory provides a chance to sow even more belief that the program is finally vanquishing all that has troubled it in years prior – making a step closer and closer to that “elite” status the head coach promised after, yes, one of those losses to Ohio State.
In the Franklin era, these factors have never combined to form this scenario, and that’s the most fascinating aspect to Saturday’s contest – which was, until Wednesday, going to have a presidential candidate show up and is already hosting two pregame shows. On top of that, Penn State may have to go without its starting quarterback.
For as much preseason and in-season hype and hoopla about this game and what it would mean for Penn State, the pressure is on Ohio State to win.
That’s never happened before and that’s what makes Saturday a fascinating collision of perception, opportunity and history in the 11 years of matchups between Penn State-Ohio State under Franklin.
vs. 
Time: 12 p.m.
TV: Fox
Announcers: Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, Jenny Taft
Radio: Penn State Sports Network
Announcers: Steve Jones, Jack Ham, Brian Tripp
If you’ve enjoyed this content, please subscribe to Stuff Somers Says With Steve on YouTube. Or join our newsletter by entering your email below.
