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Penn State football: are the events of 2016 repeatable?

By Christopher Mangum

PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions holds his team back as they prepare to take the field against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Point Solutions Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions holds his team back as they prepare to take the field against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Point Solutions Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Heading into the 2022 college football season, Penn State football has low expectations. After finishing just over .500 in 2021, the Nittany Lions must get the program back to winning–a challenge that James Franklin has faced before. Now more than ever, Penn State needs a repeat of 2016–but what made 2016 possible, and can it be repeated?

Beat Ohio State

STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 22: Penn State students rush the field after the Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 24-21 on October 22, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 22: Penn State students rush the field after the Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 24-21 on October 22, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Honestly, it comes down to this: you have to beat the best to be the best; without the 2016 Ohio State game, the past seven years of Penn State football may look very different. In fact, that game is arguably what turned the program back around.

This season–like 2016–Ohio State will come into Beaver Stadium for what could be another intense environment. Also, like in 2016, there is a good chance that Penn State comes into the matchup as a considerable underdog. Regardless of the records, Penn State needs to get over the Ohio State hump once more under James Franklin, and playing the Buckeyes in State College will be Penn State’s best chance.

Since 2015, no program has come closer to defeating Ohio State numerous times than Penn State football has. After the miracle in 2016, the Nittany Lions choked away a significant lead in 2017, allowed an Ohio State comeback in 2018, and were steadily put away from 2019-to 2021. Still, few other Big Ten programs can claim a win over Ohio State in recent history, and only one has come close many times.

Regardless of the final scores, the fact is that Penn State has not beaten the Buckeyes in five seasons and counting–a streak that must be broken for Penn State to get back on top. Franklin and Co. must defeat Ohio State at home if the Nittany Lions expect to compete for the Big Ten or a playoff spot.

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