Now a big question looms on the college front: Ryan Day or James Franklin, who has more pressure on their shoulders to win the November 1 matchup in Happy Valley. While we still have to wait for two more days for the big results, analysts have taken this seriously. Looks like a 50-50 situation for both Day and Franklin. But what’s absolutely sure is the fact that whoever is going to face loss is going to be a career-defining blow. Meanwhile, as Day walks on thin ice on the verge of losing his job, Franklin comes off as confident cashing on Ohio State’s sticky situation. 

Do you know that the upcoming game between Day’s squad and Franklin’s army has something special? Well, Saturday’s game at the Beaver Stadium will be just the second time in 40 meetings that they will be meeting as top-five opponents. That’s what you call a real fight! That’s why the Yahoo Sports analyst Dan Wetzel used the correct words to describe what might be going in the HCs’ hearts, “Feel like Ryan Day wins on Saturday and it’ll just be like yeah well that’s because James Franklin can’t win a big one. Where if James Franklin wins everyone will be like you finally won the big one.” He then drops in with the question of the hour, “Which coach has more pressure?”

That’s when Sports Illustrated’s analyst Pat Forde takes up, “Oh boy I think James Franklin still does.” Even though they haven’t defeated the Buckeyes since 2016, coming off 1-11 against their Big Ten rival, going by the odds Franklin’s Nittany Lions are in a better position in their chances to win the national championship. In that case, losing to Penn State would not make Day the hate magnet as Forde pointed, “If Ryan Day loses twice in their first what nine games with a team that was supposed to win the national championship that’s pretty significant.”

But that doesn’t mean Penn State HC can take a chill pill and relax as the analyst raises a warning, “If you’re a Penn State fan you’ve just got to be like going in with some hope but some resignation like yeah they’re probably going to beat us again.” With the haze still hanging, Day already landed in hot water with his HC role. 

James Franklin’s bold push after Ryan Day’s disappointment

Can you imagine how low Day’s squad has stooped in terms of their athletic abilities? Like they had a hard time surviving against a bad Nebraska. It took them the final moment to turn things in their favor with a game-sealing interception. That was not at all expected from Day and his boys after coming off a bye week. And it’s not that the HC is unaware of the loopholes in his program. Only getting 2.1 yards per carry is not something expected from the Buckeyes who have spent a heavy $20 million on their roster. Now you can guess that Day is in neck-deep water.

Yahoo Sports analyst Jason Fitz came up with a better take on the Ohio HC’s situation, ‘‘You’re backed up against the wall. You have to win this game. You go to two losses. Now, all of a sudden, you no longer control any. You go to two losses. You are not going to be in the Big 10 championship game. I think there’s a ton of pressure in this match up.” And what better opportunity for Franklin to turn things in Penn State’s favor? 

Coming off an undefeated streak, 7-0, maybe their 1-9 against Ohio State still nudges James Franklin a little. But still, then he keeps on boosting the Nittany Lions, “We’re excited about the opportunity, and that’s what we’re focused on; what we have to do to find a way to get a win. And what I’m excited about is this team has showed.” And it ended with a big promise, “They’re going to find ways to get the job done.” Now let’s wait for who leaves the Happy Valley with happiness, Day or Franklin.