James Franklin and Penn State take on Utah in the Rose Bowl Monday at 5 p.m. EST. Ahead of the Rose Bowl matchup, Franklin met with media to discuss the Nittany Lions’ opponent.

During the presser, the Penn State head coach fielded a question from a reporter on how to evaluate defensive “success” in shootouts where teams are scoring 40 and 50 points a game. For example, the Fiesta Bowl between Michigan and TCU combined for 96 points Saturday, the most in the event’s history.

Here’s Franklin’s answer to the reporter’s question.

“Yeah, I think your question is a good one,” Franklin said to the reporter. “You have to look at it different. The scores and the yards are much different than they were probably even 10 years ago…I think (Utah Head Coach) Whittingham is exactly right. At the end of the day, all that really matters is winning, and your defense has a responsibility to keep them from scoring one less point than your offense has produced, and your offense has the responsibility of trying to score one more points. There’s going to be some games that are defensive battles, and there’s going to be some games that are offensive battles, and special teams are always going to have an impact, as well. But at the end of the day, it’s about winning and making the stop when you need it, whether it’s third down, whether it’s goal line, whatever it may be. There’s going to be 4 to 6 of those plays in this game, and who finds a way to make those 4 to 6 plays at critical moments is going to be the team that probably has the best chance to be successful.”

And Franklin’s defense will be tested to the highest extreme Monday. Utah, led by Cam Rising, has a strong offense that has battled against talent such as USC and UCLA, among other strong Pac-12 teams. This sets up for what is likely to be another high-scoring New Year’s 6 affair.