So, we gotta talk about Penn State. Out of all the teams in the run for the playoffs, the Nittany Lions are one that not a lot of people would’ve expected to be standing on a 7-0 run. Whatever James Franklin has managed to cook with the team’s roster, it is definitely paying off. Right now, there is a 98% chance that James Franklin and Co. would directly go to the playoffs if they manage to bring down the Buckeyes. But the question is, how did James Franklin manage to put up such a show? Was there someone who played a major role in fueling the Lions’ playoff pursuit?

Ah well, there was. During the West Virginia week, Pat McAfee talked a lot of “trash” about the Nittany Lions. But what happened? Franklin and Co. seized a massive 34-12 win over the Mountaineers. Now, during an episode of ESPN College Football, Franklin finally gets his chance to call out McAfee. “Can we talk a little bit before we get into that? Can we be friends again? Because, West Virginia week, you were talking a ton of trash,” Franklin mentioned. And boy, oh boy, was McAfee flustered. “Bingo! Yeah, I am talking sh-t to everybody,” McAfee explained. Regardless of what it is, you can sure as he-k thank McAfee cause this team has been on fire.

The Lions are now in the 3rd spot in the Big 10 conference, and everyone who has come across them has tasted defeat. This team has somehow managed to keep up a 30-point average across all of their 7 games. The only time to get even remotely close to defeat was against the Trojans, but even that game turned around with Ryan Barker‘s overtime field goal.

And to not take credit away, the knight in shining armor for the team has to be their QB. On day 1, Drew Allar proved that he would show up to carry his team. Covering 12 touchdowns and 1600+ yards already, Allar has kept the boat moving in full swing.

We called it back in September that Allar and the Lions would end up becoming Lincoln Riley and Ryan Day‘s worst nightmare. Franklin has already managed to grab the W against Riley. The FINAL hurdle left is the Buckeyes and Day’s ‘make or break’ roster. So, can they pull through and secure their playoff spot?

Testing James Franklin’s run

The 28-13 win over Wisconsin had 2 sides to it. The good thing was that the Lions won their 7 consecutive games. The bad thing was that their star, QB, was injured. It went down in the first half and Allar was spotted at the sideline with braces on his knee. Now, multiple sources have stated that for the Buckeyes showdown, Allar would be coming back. However, there is a catch. “Game-time decisions,” Franklin had mentioned during an interview.

There is a 50% chance Allar won’t make it and have to skip out the Buckeyes game. Now if this happens, then Ryan Day will get a massive advantage. With a 6-1 run, getting the W against Penn State would be the biggest task for Day and Co. While Chip Kelly will still be doing the play callings, the entire Buckeyes offensive line will be tested and pushed to the edge.

Even Day had acknowledged this. “Depth is gonna get challenged this week,” Ryan Day had mentioned during an interview. Just a few more hours left for this showdown. Do let us know who you are rooting for.