It all started with one sentence in a press conference this week.

“My focus is completely on Illinois, and this team, and this program,” Penn State coach James Franklin said this week.

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The problem? He said that a few days after his Nittany Lions were upset by Illinois at State College. He probably meant, “My focus is completely on Ohio State.” After all, that’s who Penn State’s playing Saturday night.

That’s where the trash-talking began, and it continued Saturday when Buckeyes associate head coach Larry Johnson brought it up Saturday at the “Skull Session,” the final rehearsal for the Ohio State marching band.

He’s right. Ohio State’s not Illinois.

The Buckeyes are ranked higher than Penn State, checking in at No. 5 in this week’s AP Top 25 while Penn State was ranked No. 20. Plus, it’s hard not to pick against Ryan Day’s group, especially at home.

One thing’s for sure, though. It’ll be interesting to see how Penn State comes out after last week’s stunning upset.