Today, as Penn State gears up to face Ohio State, head coach James Franklin stands at a pivotal point in his career. Known for leading the Nittany Lions to winning seasons and bowl appearances, Franklin’s tenure has been marked by one persistent challenge: defeating powerhouse teams like Ohio State. With ESPN’s College GameDay in Happy Valley and Beaver Stadium packed with fans, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Since taking over in 2014, Franklin has made strides with the Penn State program, but wins against top-five teams, especially Ohio State, have remained elusive. The last time Penn State bested the Buckeyes was in 2016, under then-coach Urban Meyer. Now, seven years later, Franklin is still searching for that breakthrough win that could secure his team’s shot at the College Football Playoff and bolster his legacy in State College.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit emphasized just how high the stakes are for Franklin and his counterpart, Ohio State’s Ryan Day. “For the winning coach, this is about more than a game—it’s about building a future and silencing critics,” Herbstreit said. “But for the one who loses, those same critics will be even louder. Franklin, especially, could use this win to really shift the conversation around him and this team.”
Penn State fans are all too familiar with this story: solid seasons capped with tough losses to Michigan and Ohio State that block the team’s path to the playoffs. But Franklin and his players are more determined than ever to break that pattern. Quarterback Drew Allar, nursing a minor injury, has been vocal about the team’s focus, saying, “We’re all locked in. It’s about every player doing their part to execute and trust each other.” For Allar and his teammates, today’s game is a chance to prove they’re ready to take that next step.
Ohio State, meanwhile, is dealing with challenges of its own, including injuries on the offensive line. Franklin sees this as an opportunity, a crack in the armor of a team that has long dominated this matchup. A win today would mean more than a victory; it would send a message that Penn State is no longer content with just a “good” season—it’s aiming for greatness.
Today’s showdown isn’t just a game for Penn State; it’s a shot at rewriting its narrative. If Franklin and his team can pull off the win, it could change the course of their season—and Franklin’s legacy at Penn State. For now, the only thing standing in their way is the familiar challenge of Ohio State. But this time, Penn State might just be ready to rise to the occasion.
