The recent matchups between Ohio State and Penn State have been so hard-fought, so entertaining and so intense, that many have considered it to be a developing rivalry in the B1G. But at least one Nittany Lion doesn’t see it that way.

Speaking with the media via Zoom on Tuesday morning, Penn State defensive tackle Antonio Shelton downplayed the idea of Saturday’s game being a rivalry matchup. Shelton considers it a game between two of the best teams in the B1G.

“First of all, it’s not a rivalry. We’re not Michigan,” Shelton said, according to Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors. “This is two good football teams who are playing each other.”

It’s an interesting statement, as Shelton is a native of Columbus.

The idea of the Penn State-Ohio State game being a rivalry showdown has grown over the last four seasons. The Nittany Lions defeated the Buckeyes in thrilling fashion in 2016 en route to a B1G Championship that season.

In 2017 and 2018, the two contests between the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes were decided by a single point in both games, with Ohio State mounting comebacks to win in each season.

Last season, Ohio State defeated Penn State 28-17 in Columbus.

Ohio State and Penn State enter this year’s game on opposite ends of the spectrum. The Buckeyes are coming off a 52-17 blowout win over Nebraska in Week 1, while the Lions fell 36-35 to Indiana in overtime.

Still, this weekend’s game has plenty of hype. College GameDay will be in State College to highlight the B1G East showdown.