Is Penn State finally ‘elite?’ Coach James Franklin answers ahead of clash with Ohio State
Franklin delivered a two-minute monologue on the subject in 2018 following a loss to Ohio State. How far does he believe the Nittany Lions have come with the No. Buckeyes visiting on Saturday?
On Sept. 29, 2018, James Franklin delivered what would become a well-known, often-cited speech explaining the differences between a good program, a great program, and an elite program.
Franklin’s two-minute monologue came on the heels of Penn State’s first loss that season, a 27-26 nail-biter to then-No. 4 Ohio State. The Nittany Lions coach listed the differences between being a competitive team in the Big Ten and getting over the hump of beating the conference’s top programs — namely Michigan and Ohio State.
“I think a lot of things have changed since then,” Franklin said this week. “We talked a lot this offseason about new president Dr. [Neeli] Bendapudi and new athletic director Pat Kraft. That factors into all of this, there’s no doubt about it.
“I think there are things within our program that you look at, whether it’s from a development standpoint, whether it’s a facility standpoint, whether it’s a nutrition standpoint, whether it’s recruiting. All the things that you talk about in terms of building a program, I think some areas, we have made significant progress in –– and others we still have work to do.”
Four years later, No. 13 Penn State is facing similar questions on the same barometer. The Nittany Lions (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) maneuvered into the Associated Press top 10 before falling to the Wolverines. This Saturday, they’ll play host to an elite team in No. 2 Ohio State (7-0, 4-0).
Keys to victory
Penn State has a propensity for playing Ohio State close. Despite the Buckeyes winning each of the last five matchups, their average margin of victory has been just seven points. This year’s Ohio State offense is led by a Heisman candidate in quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Buckeyes have a 100% success rate scoring in the red zone and are tied with Tennessee for the most touchdowns in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 46.
If the Nittany Lions are going to make Saturday competitive, they’ll have to match the production of a dynamic Ohio State offense.
Keep an eye on ...
Ohio State’s offense is paced by a bit of Philly flair. Marvin Harrison Jr., a 6-foot-4, 205-pound wideout from St. Joseph’s Prep, ranks second in the FBS in receiving touchdowns (10) — the bulk of which came from three-score performances against Arkansas State and Michigan State.
Harrison was the top-ranked receiver in Pennsylvania in 2021 and holds two Catholic League records: receiving yards (2,625) and touchdowns (37). He’s also notably the son of Indianapolis Colts great Marvin Harrison, an eight-time All-Pro selection.
» READ MORE: Marvin Harrison Jr.'s attention to detail is propelling his career at Ohio State
These two have a history
The last 10 times the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes have squared off, only once has Penn State won — scraping away a 24-21 home win in 2016. With the Lions trailing by four deep into the fourth quarter, Grant Haley scooped up a blocked field-goal attempt and dashed 60 yards for an eventual game-winning touchdown.
Beyond that, Ohio State has flat-out owned the last decade of the rivalry.
“This team is different,” said defensive tackle P.J. Mustipher. “The team we have this year isn’t the same as last year, 2019 or 2018. This is a different group of men. We’re not really concerned with what’s happened in the past. … We’ve just got to control what we can control. It’s going to be a great game. I’m truly excited, but the preparation is key.”
They said it
“I don’t think anybody is underestimating the moment. I think that everybody understands the magnitude of each week and the importance because in college football, one week can define your whole season.” — Sean Clifford, Penn State quarterback
You should know ...
Before kickoff, Penn State will host Fox’s college football pregame show, Big Noon Kickoff, live from University Park for the first time. The broadcast starts at 10 a.m. running up until the game’s noon start.
Fox commentary will feature Rob Stone, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn, and Urban Meyer.
Looking down the line
Penn State has a trip to Indiana scheduled on Nov. 5 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The kickoff time and broadcast plans have not been announced.