By Skeeter Smith
As the Ohio State Buckeyes prepare to face the Penn State Nittany Lions in a highly anticipated top-5 showdown this Saturday, all eyes are on head coaches Ryan Day and James Franklin, both in “prove it” mode. Day, under increasing pressure after a lackluster performance last week, must rally his team to demonstrate that they are still one of the nation’s best. Meanwhile, Franklin seeks to redefine his legacy and elevate Penn State’s status in the Big Ten. With so much on the line, which coach would benefit more from a win on Saturday?
The case for Ryan Day
For Day, the concern is that he hasn’t been able to get it done with one of the best rosters in college football year in and year out. He has lost to rival Michigan the last three years and holds a 2-4 postseason record to date. After a near disaster of a game last week against Nebraska, the Buckeyes are in desperate need of a big win to change the national perception of their team.
So far, Ohio State has beaten no one of note and lost to the only ranked team they’ve faced, albeit in dramatic fashion on the road at Oregon. A loss here could really muddy their championship aspirations, leaving them as a two-loss team with a weak resume at the beginning of November.
After all those offseason additions, Ohio State boasts one of, if not the most, talented rosters in the country, so two losses at this point would be a massive letdown. Furthermore, the Buckeyes would no longer be a shoo-in for the playoffs, with zero quality wins, as Indiana remains the only team of value left on their schedule. Missing the playoffs is something Day cannot afford in year five at Ohio State, especially in a 12-team format and it may cost his job.
The case for James Franklin
This is a huge statement game for James Franklin and Penn State. For years, they’ve been the third wheel in the Big Ten, but this is their chance to finally vault themselves to the top of the conference as a true national title contender. In his tenure at Penn State, Franklin holds a 4-16 record against Michigan and Ohio State, a 3-17 record against top-10 opponents, and a 1-12 record against top-5 opponents.
More Sports News
It’s no secret that Franklin has struggled in these big games, but he has as good a chance as ever to flip that script this weekend. A win would not only prove that the Nittany Lions are legitimate but would also essentially lock them into a playoff spot. However, a loss at home would repeat the same narrative we’ve seen too often: a team that can dominate inferior programs but falls flat in crucial matchups.
Sure, they would still probably finish 11-1 and make the playoffs due to their schedule, but I doubt there would be much confidence in this team to make a legitimate run. Then the question becomes would just making the playoffs with no notable wins on the season be enough to satisfy Penn State fans?
Final Thoughts
The expectations for Ohio State have always centered around competing for a national title, and significant investment has gone into building this roster for a championship run. If that effort goes to waste, it would be a major blow to Day’s coaching credibility. Two losses in November without any notable victories would create some real concerns about the Buckeyes’ playoff chances, especially with a dangerous Indiana team still on the horizon. The pressure is on for Day to deliver, while Franklin has the opportunity to elevate his program. Ultimately, Saturday’s showdown could be a defining moment for both coaches.
