Paul Finebaum says he’s watching to see if James Franklin has more of the same in store for Saturday when No. 3 Penn State hosts No. 4 Ohio State at Beaver Stadium.

Franklin and his Nittany Lions will be a home underdog for just the 11th time in his tenure. Franklin is 5-5 against the spread in those games, but he’s just 2-8 outright. And therein lies the rub. For Franklin, Saturday provides an opportunity to rewrite the narrative.

When Finebaum went on ESPN’s Get Up morning show on Friday, he discussed the widespread implications of Saturday’s game.

“It’s (about) who do you expect the least from here,” Finebaum said. “Ryan Day has an unbelievable record, as we all know. It’s unmatched. Except he can’t seem to break through, having lost to Michigan 3 straight years. I think he’ll win this game. This is a game he always wins.

“And guess what? James Franklin always loses this game. He always blows it. He always underperforms. And that’s what I’m watching for tomorrow in Happy Valley.”

The Buckeyes have won 7 straight over the Nittany Lions. After suffering 1-point losses in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018, Penn State has lost by an average of 11 points per game over the last 5.

He is 3-17 against teams ranked inside the AP Top 10 and he’s just 1-9 against Ohio State. But there’s a sense of optimism that this is the year. The Buckeyes have questions along the offensive line and they’ve already suffered a loss this season.

Should Franklin manage to snap the losing streak, Finebaum says his résumé would wipe away one of its larger stains.

“We would have to take out the easiest and laziest take in college football, that James Franklin can’t win the big one,” Finebaum said.  He beat Ohio State but it’s been so long ago. You see the record here, 1-12, I mean, that is a disastrous record. He always loses to Ohio State and Michigan and it’s just a mark on his résumé that is otherwise respectable.”

Of course, the coach on the other side has his own big-game problems to deal with. And if Penn State beats Ohio State, Finebaum says Buckeye head coach Ryan Day would find himself in an uncomfortable position.

“It would put him on the cut line of the Playoffs because they just don’t have an impressive win. They have 2 good losses, which may not get him in the Playoff,” Finebaum said. “That’s what’s at stake for him. And then with Michigan in a couple weeks, a game that should he lose, I think we would all help him pack.”

Kickoff is set for noon ET on FOX on Saturday.