James Franklin had to use the Ohio State Buckeyes as an example for Penn State to cope with their loss to Oregon​

The Buckeyes were certainly a team that faced adversity last season, though this may be different.



The Ohio State Buckeyes haven’t won the Big Ten since 2020 and that’s something they want to get done this year. Beating Michigan, winning the conference, and competing to win it all are the three things the Buckeyes look to do each and every season. Ohio State is off to a good start this season with a 4-0 record and is ranked the No. 1 team in the country. Ohio State is one of the three teams that are expected to compete for a Big Ten title this season and the other two faced off over the weekend.

James Franklin brought up the Buckeyes after being beaten by Oregon ​

It was a whiteout at Penn State over the weekend between the undefeated Nittany Lions and the undefeated Ducks. Oregon weathered the storm and escaped with a 30-24 win over Penn State in overtime. The loss was another top-10 loss for Franklin at Penn State, which has become a common theme. In his message to the team, the team that Ohio State had last year was used as a point.

“The team in our conference last year that won the national championship had two conference losses during the season,” Franklin stated. “I think college football is different than maybe how it’s been in the past, and you got to do everything you possibly can to put yourself in the best position to get into the playoffs and then make a run.”

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Franklin is right on the point that college football is different now. With the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format, one or even two losses don’t mean that your season is over. Ohio State had an early-season loss to Oregon last year by a point in a game they probably should have won. The Buckeyes bounced back after losing to Michigan later with four straight wins over top-10 opponents in the CFP, including revenge over Oregon. The main difference was that Ohio State was on the road in that game they lost to Oregon last year, though a loss is a loss.
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Sometimes adversity brings out the best and that happened last year with Ohio State. Franklin is hoping that the same can happen for Penn State a season after they won a first-round game in the College Football Playoff. Ohio State doesn’t have Oregon on the regular season schedule but very well could end up seeing them in the conference title game, until then they have to take care of business.

Ryan Day gets real about Ohio State breakout star who took a rare road in college football to get to this point with the Buckeyes​

After losing all of the NFL-level talent that they did from last season’s team, the Ohio State Buckeyes had to have players step up this season. That’s what has to happen if the Buckeyes want to repeat their national championship run and they’re off to a good start in that regard. Returning Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs was huge for the Buckeyes but they once again have stars all over this team and others that are trending that way.

The biggest question entering the season was at quarterback and Julian Sayin has checked that box so far with the Buckeyes. Another area of concern was the defensive line where the Buckeyes lost four starters and the returning production was minimal outside of North Carolina transfer Beau Atkinson. Luckily for the Buckeyes, a senior has already shown he’s a breakout player and the sky looks like the ceiling for him this season.

Caden Curry took a road that isn’t often traveled to get to this point with Ohio State​

“I mean, Caden is somebody who has played a lot of football here, special teams-wise and has made a lot of plays,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said on Tuesday. “Now he’s a key contributor. He’s had his ups and downs along the way, but in this program, between what goes on on the field, what goes on in the weight room, what goes on off the field here, if you hang in there and continue to put one day in front of the other and build resilience up, you’re gonna get maximized.”

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Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau were the Buckeyes’ starters the last couple of years and they got the job done up front for Larry Johnson. Ohio State has never done a ton of rotating with its defensive line in previous years, so Curry’s usage was limited. Curry played in 13 games as a true freshman in 2022 and recorded a half sack and 14 tackles. As a sophomore, Curry improved to 1.5 sacks. The junior-to-senior season jump is the biggest one yet and Curry is now a starter for Ohio State’s defense.

Curry showed up big in the first Big Ten game of the season and it was on the road. Ohio State has needed a force to step up on the defensive line and show they’re going to be that double-digit sack guy. Going into the season, Kenyatta Jackson was predicted by most to be that guy. Curry’s patience and decision not to transfer out has paid off this season and it wouldn’t shock anyone if he ends up with 12+ sacks at this point.

Just sayin': There is a premium in the NFL draft on franchise QBs, left OTs, and pass rushing DEs. Performances like the Washington game will move him up significantly on the draft board.

I just don't see a good coach shining through the product on the field.

If I catch my Staffie taking pictures with my phone one more time...I don't care if wi-fi is free to use, it's the principle.

Fever injuries....

Vandy

God's Plan

If you had told me reds score 5 with Greene on bump I'd said they had a great shot lol