Penn State doesn't have to be perfect at Ohio State, but it must do one specific thing, James Franklin says
Penn State coach James Franklin will lead his team onto the field at Ohio State on Saturday. It is arguably the biggest game in his tenure. And, the outside consensus is that the Lions finally have what it takes to match up with the Buckeyes position group to position group and leave The Horseshoe with a victory.
The 10th year head coach held his latest media availability ahead of game day after practice on Wednesday night. He noted that his team does not have to be perfect in four days to earn a top-10 win in Columbus. But, it does have to do something it has failed to do in many moments against the Buckeyes over the years.
Penn State must close out the game
Penn State has had many close calls against the Buckeyes. Most have ended in a loss. And, the reason why is what the Lions must avoid on Saturday.
“I think the first thing is, you got to put yourself in a position to win those games,” Franklin said. “Which what I mean by that is, you look at the NFL, typically those games come down to one possession games. And when you’re playing two highly ranked teams competing against each other, that’s typically how it’s going to come down as well. It’s going to come down to a one-possession game. And usually one of two things happened. Situational football is going to win the game for you, and [your team] understanding how to handle situational football, whether it’s two minute or four minutes, and the ability for you to close the game on your terms. Or, talent.”
Over Franklin’s Penn State tenure, the Lions have lost to the Buckeyes three times in 10 years by a single score and twice by a single point.
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“It’s very similar to, when you watch certain teams, certain games, no matter what the talent differential [is[, people can hang around for a half,” Franklin said. “And then, over time, the talent takes over. So those are the two things.
“And, I think we have closed the gap with a lot of what people would consider the top five programs in the country. We have slowly chipped away at that. So, we’ve put ourselves in a much better position. But I think it’s going to come down to a one possession game. And we got to be able to find a way to win that situation at the end of the game, whatever it is, four minute, two minute, whatever it may be. We got to be able to capitalize in that situation on the road in a tough environment.”
The Lions do not have to be perfect to win
Penn State has played close to perfect for much of the season. Not in every game, of course. But, most of them. Regardless, the team does not have to have everything go 100 percent right to win this weekend. But, it must be close. And, it has to close out the game if the chance to do so presents itself.
“Our most veteran players, our best leaders, our best players, they need to play they need to play well in these types of games,” Franklin said. “We don’t have to play perfect. But, we need to play well in these types of games.”
