Legacy on the line: Franklin and Day seek redemption in latest clash

No. 3 Penn State vs. No. 4 Ohio State. Two Big Ten foes looking for a signature victory. Two head coaches looking to rewrite narratives. 

James Franklin and Ryan Day face expectations unlike in their coaching careers. In 2023, Franklin led the Nittany Lions to their second consecutive 10-win season but failed to win the two biggest games on the schedule. As for Day, the Buckeyes fell to Michigan for the third straight year. 

Both coaches have faced significant scrutiny to win games when the lights are shining the brightest, but Saturday’s contest offers a golden opportunity to shed that reputation. 

James Franklin

In 2018, Penn State was moments away from defeating Ohio State for the second time in three seasons. In front of a Beaver Stadium record crowd, the Nittany Lions were in full control leading 26-14 with eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

However, the Buckeyes stormed back and scored 13 unanswered to win 27-26. 

This defeat marked the second consecutive season in which Penn State surrendered a double-digit fourth-quarter lead to its rivals, highlighting a troubling trend that has lingered in the years since. In the aftermath of that heartbreaking loss, a visibly dejected James Franklin addressed the media. 

“I’m pretty upset right now because I am hurting for those guys right in that locker room,” Franklin said.  “I know how hard they’ve worked. The reality is that we have gone from an average football team to a good football team to a great football team. We have worked hard to do those things, but we are not an elite football team yet.”

Fast forward six years, and the Nittany Lions are still grappling with that challenge. Despite showing flashes of taking that next, they have not managed to defeat Ohio State since 2016. They have yet to return to the Big Ten Championship since that season and never made the four-team College Football Playoff.

Penn State’s struggles against top-tier opponents are stark; they have lost ten consecutive games against teams ranked in the top five. The 2023 season epitomized this ongoing struggle. 

Penn State entered its matchup against No. 3 Ohio State ranked No. 7, brimming with the potential of finally breaking through. 

Despite several opportunities to secure a landmark victory in Columbus, the Nittany Lions fell short 20-12. A few weeks later, the narrative repeated itself when Penn State, now ranked No. 10, faced No. 3 Michigan and suffered a 24-15 defeat. 

In response to the underwhelming offensive performances, Franklin parted ways with former offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. Penn State hired Andy Kotelnicki, the former Kansas offensive coordinator, who has since breathed new life into the offense. Under Kotelnicki’s guidance, the offense has adopted a more creative and explosive style adding a dynamic element that had been absent for years.

Despite these significant changes and the emergence of second-year starting quarterback Drew Allar, the question remains: Is Penn State truly an elite program? 

While boasting an impressive 28-5 record since the start of the 2022 season, the Nittany Lions have consistently faltered on the biggest stage. 

All five of their losses during this stretch have come against Top-11 opponents, including two against Michigan, two against Ohio State and one against Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl.

To finally realize the ambition Franklin expressed six years ago—transitioning from great to elite—Penn State must secure a victory against Ohio State. A win on Saturday would not only serve as a pivotal moment for the program but could also signify a shift in the narrative surrounding the Nittany Lions.

Ryan Day

Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes have been striving to recover from a devastating 32-31 defeat at the hands of No. 3 Oregon. This loss was a reminder of the challenges facing a team with a roster valued at $20 million, revealing vulnerabilities many didn’t expect from a team with that much superstar talent. 

With high hopes at the season's outset, the Buckeyes were hailed as national championship favorites with an abundance of returning talent and significant additions from the transfer portal. They welcomed standout safety Caleb Downs, the top player in the portal, along with elite high school recruit wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

Two weeks after the crushing loss to Oregon, Ohio State managed a narrow and uninspiring 21-17 victory over Nebraska at home. This performance raised eyebrows and sparked questions about the team's direction and readiness for the challenges ahead. 

Day boasts an impressive 62-9 record, but all his losses occurred against ranked opponents within the top 12. This season has already seen a painful loss to Oregon and a concerning near-loss against Nebraska, leaving many to wonder about the effectiveness of his leadership. 

Earning a salary of around $10 million annually, Day is fully aware of the lofty expectations that accompany his role. Despite the immense talent at his disposal, Ohio State has struggled to consistently meet those expectations, often falling short in critical moments.

The lack of success speaks volumes about the current state of the program and the urgency to shift the narrative. Painful losses—including three consecutive defeats to Michigan and a narrow miss against Georgia in the College Football Playoff— left the Buckeyes feeling like they are just a play or two away from achieving their goals. 

However, these losses or near losses must translate into tangible success soon.

Saturday's contest against Penn State offers Day a golden opportunity for redemption. A victory would bolster Ohio State’s chances for the College Football Playoff but also serve as a statement that the program can rise above its recent struggles. Conversely, a loss could be devastating, potentially marking a turning point in the season and raising serious questions about the future direction of the program.

The implications of this game extend far beyond the scoreboard. The time for action is now; both Franklin and Day have the chance to turn their respective visions into reality and elevate their programs to elite status.

Alex Rocco is a graduate student pursuing a master's in strategic communications. To contact him, email alex.rocco1702@gmail.com.