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Penn State

James Franklin gives emphatic answer on the importance of every game for Penn State

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax10/31/24BarkleyTruax
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Penn State head coach James Franklin. (Credit: Frank Hyatt | Blue White Illustrated)

Penn State has the opportunity to not only remain undefeated but essentially punch their ticket to the College Football Playoffs with a victory over Ohio State at home on Saturday.

Head coach James Franklin doesn’t have to explain the importance of this matchup to his players but feels as though it’s business as usual inside the building heading into the Week 10 headline matchup. Every game the Nittany Lions have played to this point has prepared them for what’s to come on Saturday.

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“West Virginia to open the season was a big game,” Franklin told reporters after practice on Wednesday. “Bowling Green was a big game. If you don’t think it was, lose to Bowling Green and see how people react. They’re all big games.

“This is a big game because of how we’ve handled the previous six, so we don’t change our process. I can’t control the noise and the things that are outside this building, but we stay consistent with how we go about our business. I can’t control the other things.”

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There’s no downplaying the importance of this matchup. However, Franklin has a point. Penn State has been tested on multiple occasions this season — including the 34-27 win against Bowling Green in Week 2 — but has always managed to emerge victorious in the end so far this season.

The only other one-score game Penn State was a part of was a 33-30 road win at USC, which took overtime to accomplish. They also have just one win over a ranked team this season (21-7 vs. No. 19 Illinois), adding to the importance a win over Ohio State would bring to the Nittany Lions’ resume.

Of course, Ohio State will be the toughest test Penn State will face before the postseason. A win would put them in a favorable position to finish the regular season undefeated, not to mention in position to play for a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff if they were to win the Big Ten Championship game.

The opening kickoff between the Nittany Lions and the Buckeyes is set for Noon ET and will air live on FOX. Despite being on the road, Ohio State is a 3.5-point favorite over undefeated Penn State.