Joel Klatt knows Saturday is a huge showdown for both programs involved in the Penn State vs. Ohio State matchup. However, there’s an extra opportunity involved for James Franklin’s Nittany Lions, per Klatt.

The FOX broadcaster pointed to what was perceived as a “really good year” for Penn State’s program a year ago for a team that does not have quite the same pressure as Ohio State or Michigan. As a result, the Nittany Lions have an opportunity to take their next step on Saturday.

“This is a huge opportunity because while they have not taken that next step, I don’t feel there’s that pressure to take the next step. Not like there is at Ohio State,” said Klatt. “Last year was considered a wildly successful year for Penn State, and rightly so, by the way… they were 11-2 and Rose Bowl champs. That’s a really good year, and now the next step for them is to beat one of those two teams in their division and take that next step on the ladder.”

Klatt even believes this particular Penn State team could still have its best days to come in the future. Nevertheless, he likes the makeup of this Nittany Lion defense as a unit that could pose problems for the Buckeyes.

“This is a young team that might have its better days even ahead of it, and yet, this is a great opportunity,” Klatt explained. “There’s this sense that they are built in a way that Ohio State is going to have trouble with their length and athleticism on the defensive side of the ball.”

Penn State is an underdog on the road in a game that is expected to be a hard-fought affair throughout. Fans looking to take part in that action can head to Caesars to get started.