By Sean Labar
James Franklin and Ryan Day both need a win today, but only one of the Big 10 head coaches will come away with a victory.
Day has led the Buckeyes to multiple College Football Playoff appearances but has failed to win a national championship, despite producing some of the most talented rosters in recent years.
On the other side, Franklin inherited a tough situation, and instilled a winning culture, but Nittany Lions fans expect the program to be competing at the top of the conference for national titles and now expect more than just a winning record at the end of the year.
Franklin has only led his squad to just one Big Ten title since taking over in 2014, so ahead of Saturday’s Big 10 clash, both coaches needed a win more than ever.
James Franklin Furious With Officials Early Vs. Ohio State
If i'm james franklin I am chewing out the officials at every single 50 50 call the rest of t he game. It's clear that "letting them play" only applied to OSU db's
— Meyers Football Films (@meyersmedia_) November 2, 2024
Early in the first half of Saturday’s Big 10 clash, the FOX broadcast showed Franklin in heated discussions with the officiating crew early. According to FOX’s Jenny Taft, The Penn State head coach called out multiple missed calls, specifically on the Buckeyes defense.
More Sports News
“Coach Franklin has already been very animated with the officials, telling them they’ve missed some calls – specifically a missed holding call in the secondary – saying, ‘Don’t let them hold us. Make them play us,’” Taft said. “Franklin said earlier this week he believes that that Ohio State secondary gets away with too much. He has been frustrated early with the officiating.”
With just over six minutes left in the second quarter, Ohio State has a slim 4-point edge over Penn State in the Nittany Lions’ home stadium.
If Penn State is going to have to beat the Buckeyes through the air.
Even FOX color commentator Joel Klatt mentioned the referees were letting the Buckeyes’ defensive backs get away with an aggressive style of defense, that would generate flags from officials in other games.
“This is another physical effort from the Ohio State defensive backs,” Klatt said after a three-and-out in the second quarter where it was clear the OSU defensive back had significant contact with Nittany Lions’ TE Tyler Warren.
“They are just letting them play, That right there is not going to draw a flag, and the fans want to say that’s pass interference or that’s holding, but I can’t say that’s a penalty.”
At the half, Drew Allar and the Penn State offense have struggled mightily, with just 145 total yards of offense and just 65 yards through the air. The Nittany Lions have converted just two of their seven third-down attempts and have only three offensive points.
If PSU is going to pull off the home upset, the offense must make halftime adjustments.
