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Joel Klatt considers Penn State’s possible threat to Ohio State and Michigan
By Rolando Rosa
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The race for the Big Ten championship this season figures to come down to No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Ohio State, and No. 7 Penn State.
FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt recently evaluated Penn State’s viability and he’s concluded that the Nittany Lions are better suited to line up against Ohio State than reigning Big Ten champion Michigan.
Last season, Penn State lost 41-17 on the road at Michigan and fell 44-31 at home to Ohio State for its lone defeats.
“They’re built to beat Ohio State, not Michigan. If you go back to last year and I know that one of them was on the road, they went to Michigan and had Ohio State at home. Maybe it was just location why they played Ohio State tougher than they did Michigan,” Klatt said. “I actually think it’s blueprint. Penn State is built with speed and athleticism on defense. James Franklin’s done a heck of a job. Those are the only 2 losses they had.”
Klatt isn’t sold that Penn State has the defensive personnel to thwart the power attack from Michigan’s offense.
“Penn State is a hell of a team. But they’re built to go and compete with and try to beat Ohio State. Ohio State was the benchmark in the Big Ten. But now all of a sudden, there’s Michigan and they play this bully style of football that Penn State had no answer for a year ago… That game wasn’t even as close as the score indicated,” Klatt said. “… They hammered them in the run game. So from a stylistic standpoint, I think it’s tough for Penn State.”
Klatt thinks Penn State is going to need some end of season chaos to emerge as the conference’s top program.
“I think their best avenue, Penn State’s, would be hoping for a 3-way tie…,” Klatt said. “Because of how different Ohio State and Michigan are, it’s going to be almost insurmountable to try to ask a team to beat both of those teams.”
Penn State travels to Ohio State on Oct. 21 and will host Michigan on Nov. 11.
Rolando Rosa brings his experience covering college football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RolandoRosa3.