Penn State lost to Ohio State last week but, for once, it didn’t really matter.
After a commanding 35-6 White Out victory over Washington, the Nittany Lions control their own destiny for a playoff appearance and are likely staring down another top-five ranking. While top-four teams Georgia and Miami fell to inferior opponents, Penn State stood strong and sent the Huskies packing.
Whatever James Franklin’s message to the team was this week, it worked. The Nittany Lions came out firing from the get-go and took a stress-free 28-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. In the first half, Andy Kotelnicki learned from his Ohio State play-calling mistakes, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen looked fresh, and the defense (especially Abdul Carter) buckled down after a so-so first drive.