Paul Finebaum, Heather Dinich debate College Football Playoff implications of Ohio State-Penn State game

There are going to be major College Football Playoff implications for the Penn State–Ohio State game this weekend, according to Heather Dinich and Paul Finebaum.

But who needs this win more? According to Dinich, Penn State needs a big time road win this weekend while Ohio State could survive.

Finebaum didn’t quite put all of the pressure on Penn State and acknowledged both teams could afford a loss, most likely.

“It’s obviously a critical game,” Dinich said on Get Up. “But I would not describe it as a ‘must-win’ quite yet. I’ll remind everyone that last year Ohio State finished in the top four without winning the Big Ten East Division for two big reasons. One, their win against Notre Dame, which they also have this year which continues to resonate with the selection committee, and two, because of their win against Penn State. 

“I would say that Penn State needs this win more because their non-conference wins have come against West Virginia, UMass and Delaware, so this is a big one for James Franklin.”

Finebaum didn’t want to put the entire Nittany Lions season on just one game. He made sure to remind people Penn State still has to play Michigan.

“Well, I think ultimately, even if Penn State were to lose this game, they still see Michigan later on and for Ohio State, a win against Michigan … so that could really change the dynamics because Michigan at some point is one of the two or three [top teams] in the country according to the CFP,” Finebaum.

“So that would be one of the most significant wins of the country. So, as big a game as it is, both schools I believe can survive a loss.”

Lately, this series is owned by Ohio State, winning every game since the 2017 season. Penn State last beat the Buckeyes in State College in 2016.

This is another Top 10 matchup and both teams have been ranked in this game in every meeting since 2017, so since the Ohio State streak began.

Penn State lost 44-31 to Ohio State last season and the Buckeyes looked like a shoe-in for an undefeated season until the loss to Michigan.

Both schools have to play the Wolverines so there could be a lot of chaos during the final weeks. Perhaps this is not the end all, be all game, but there’s no question the loser can’t afford any missteps the rest of the way.