Scarlet Sunrise: Ryan Day, James Franklin content with Ohio State-Penn State not being protected rivalry

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Ryan Day, James Franklin content with Ohio State-Penn State not being protected rivalry

Starting in 2025, Ohio State will no longer play Penn State annually. The programs have met since 1993, the year Penn State football began taking part in Big Ten competition.

But, although it’s made for some of the more exciting matchups in college football — especially the last decade — Ohio State-Penn State isn’t a protected rivalry in the league’s new “Flex Protect Plus” scheduling model, which will go into effect next season.

Ohio State has only one protected rivalry, its longstanding series with Michigan. Meanwhile, Penn State — previously independent before joining the Big Ten — doesn’t have a protected rivalry.

The Buckeyes will still travel to Happy Valley in 2024, however, that’s when the annual streak stops.

Penn State head coach James Franklin noted at Big Ten Media Days this week in Indianapolis that he understands why his program doesn’t have a protected rivalry in the new scheduling model.

He believes the positives outweigh the negatives, including when it comes to the stoppage of the annual matchup between Ohio State and Penn State.

“I think obviously the Big Ten has made some decisions that I think most people would agree, whether it’s athletic directors or coaches, that we made decisions that we felt like were going to put the conference in the best position to compete for national championships,” Franklin said Wednesday, “and not only that, give us the best chance to get multiple teams into the playoffs.”

Franklin later added: “You talk about some of the historical games and some of the exciting games that have been played and opponents, [and] I think, for the most part, those will still happen. But there will be some times where there’s different teams or a lack of a team on your schedule that you’re used to playing.”

Ohio State is one of those teams, of course. The Buckeyes hold a 23-14 advantage in the all-time series. Even though the Nittany Lions haven’t beaten Ohio State since 2016, they have given the Buckeyes serious fits, most notably in 2017 and 2018 when Ohio State squeezed out a pair of one-point wins thanks to fourth quarter comebacks.

Like Franklin, Day is OK with Ohio State-Penn State not being a protected rivalry under the Flex Protect Plus scheduling model.

“It doesn’t really matter at this point,” Day said Wednesday, when asked about the annual Big Ten East showdown being left off the list of protected rivalries. “The decision’s been made. I think we like playing Penn State. They’re a great team. And it’s one of those games where you find out where you’re at, year in and year out.

“Do I like playing them? Not really, because they’re a very good team. But, at the same time, I think the rivalry has been excellent. I think it’s good for college football, to see Penn State and Ohio State play.”

And the programs will still play — just not every year.

Chris Henry Jr. gives Ohio State first member in 2026 class, Brian Hartline recruiting run continues

It’s a broken record at this point: Brian Hartline is an elite wide receiver recruiter.

He bolstered that powerful reputation Friday night outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center when potential future five-star Cincinnati (Ohio) Withrow wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. — the son of the late Chris Henry — committed to the Buckeyes.

“Today just felt like a great day [to commit],” Henry Jr. said. “I was ready. When I talked to coach Ryan Day today, there was no point in waiting anymore.”

For the full story on how Henry Jr.’s commitment announcement unfolded, plus what it means for Ohio State, head on over here.

Transition to Ohio State ‘doesn’t seem too big’ for quarterback Lincoln Kienholz

Originally a Washington commit, quarterback Lincoln Kienholz signed with Ohio State in December and officially joined the program in June after starring as a three-sport athlete at T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre, South Dakota.

Kienholz faced a relatively low level of competition in his home state, compared to the highest-rated quarterback prospects at least, and his variance in recruiting rankings naturally raised some questions among Ohio State fans when he committed to the Buckeyes.

But Kienholz is already showing encouraging signs that he belongs in Columbus.

For more on his transition, go here.

Lettermen Row coverage from Big Ten Media Days

Lettermen Row was on site in Indianapolis for this year’s Big Ten Media Days. We jam packed a full week of coverage into back-to-back days in Lucas Oil Stadium.

Check it out here:

WATCH: Ryan Day press conference at Big Ten Media Days

WATCH: Buckeyes coach Ryan Day joins the show, recap of Day One at B1G Media Days

WATCH: Rivalry in spotlight as B1G Media Days end with Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

READ: Quick-hitters from Ryan Day Big Ten Media Days press conference

READ: Gene Smith, Buckeyes more motivated than ever to beat Michigan

READ: Marvin Harrison Jr. envisioning return trip to Indy for B1G title game

READ: Marvin Harrison Jr. striving for more in second year as Ohio State superstar

READ: With potential unlocked, J.T. Tuimoloau shooting for more consistency

READ: Buckeyes still mulling over play-calling responsibilities for 2023

READ: Ahead of fall camp, Ryan Day discusses details, timeline of ‘close’ Buckeyes QB battle

READ: Hungry, driven Cade Stover embracing ‘never-ending process’

READ: Luke Fickell used Ohio State run to become his own coach

READ: Kenyatta Jackson ‘looks like an NFL player’ after impressive offseason

READ: Buckeyes ‘encouraged’ by first impressions of transfer tackle Josh Simmons

READ: With ‘huge upside,’ Luke Montgomery in the mix for starting tackle spot

READ: Ryan Day reflects on first four years as Buckeyes head coach with pivotal season ahead

READ: Buckeyes stand with Carnell Tate after losing his mother

READ: Five Buckeyes generating buzz after Ohio State speaks at Big Ten Media Days

READ: Buckeyes near full strength heading into training camp next week

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 34 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 119 days

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