2. Michigan and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks
Ideally, Penn State plays their toughest opponents in different months. Instead, they face OSU and Michigan consecutively. Michigan dominated Penn State, handing the Nittany Lions their worst loss of 2016. Penn State should be motivated for revenge.
Ohio State experienced a heartbreaking defeat to the Nittany Lions. A blocked field goal led to Penn State’s victory. J.T. Barrett and Urban Meyer will remember that come the 2017 matchup. Ohio State gets Penn State at home.
If Penn State gets through this stretch unscathed, they’ll be in prime position a College Football Playoff berth. This is make or break for Franklin’s team. They get Michigan at Beaver Stadium on Oct. 21. Penn State travels to Columbus on Oct. 28.
Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State run the Big Ten East. This two week stretch defines the outcome for the Big 10 this year.