Joel Klatt evaluates pressure on Ryan Day in Ohio State-Penn State matchup

The Penn State–Ohio State matchup is certainly going to provide a lot of pressure on Buckeyes’ coach Ryan Day, according to Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt.

Coming off two years in a row where Ohio State fell short to Michigan and did not win a national title nor a Big Ten championship, this is a huge game. Especially since this one is at home when the Nittany Lions come to town.

With games against Penn State and Michigan remaining, Day probably feels heat from the Buckeye fanbase going into the weekend.

“You are correct that the pressure and the stress brought forth by that fan base at Ohio State is immense,” Klatt said on The Herd. “And Ryan Day has been under it and yet he really shouldn’t be. He’s 51-6 as a head coach, the only coach to reach 51 wins faster in college football history is Chris Peterson at Boise State. So he’s been outstanding there. In fact, his only losses are in those big top 10 games, and yet he’s still won nine top 10 matchups.”

Ryan Day facing pressure in Ohio State-Penn State game?

It’s fair to question whether the criticism or pressure is warranted in Day’s case. Since he’s been so successful, made multiple playoff trips, won the conference and got to the national championship in 2020, a lot of coaches would take that resume.

But Day’s missteps for Ohio State seem to have been magnified this season.

“There is a lot of tension and stress and pressure because in particular for this game because well, really three reasons,” Klatt said. “Okay, number one, you’re at home. Protect the Shoe and we’re not going to lose at the Shoe.

“The second one is that there’s this sentiment that Michigan is still the top dog right now because of what they’ve done over the last couple of years. You can’t lose to Penn State and put yourself in third position in the division. For an Ohio State fan that’s just like nope, we can’t have that.”

Let’s not forget, Ohio State has more experience while some consider Penn State, maybe, a year away.

“And then there’s also they’re older than Penn State. They’re more veteran, quarterbacks are the same age, okay, so they both have young quarterbacks, but the defense is a veteran defense at Ohio State. They’ve got veterans on the outside in particular, Marvin Harrison, Jr.”

Ohio State and Penn State clash in a top 10 game in Columbus Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET.