Expectations for Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan
What we say
DiNardo has a point. Michigan fans probably won’t want to hear it, but things are clearly different in Columbus than Ann Arbor when it comes to expectations — especially with where the two programs have been over the last fifteen years or so.
And while Meyer is a traditionalist at heart and puts a lot of stock in winning the Big Ten, Ohio State’s view of a successful year has changed since becoming a part of the national championship picture has become the norm. It’s still a very, very good year to win eleven games, beat Michigan, with the division and league, but it’s expected. Yeah, fans are a bit spoiled and entitled at this point, but it really is a run for the national championship on a yearly basis now, not just a run for the roses.
To me, Penn State is the more confusing one. I don’t know that the Nittany Lions really know what type of program they are. On one hand, James Franklin has brought the program back to a contender in the conference, but I’d argue that it’s not a national power. I think winning the Big Ten Championship and getting to Pasadena is really where the program is. In some ways, Nittany Lion fans have a inflated view of where they believe the program is, and the results simply don’t add up. In fact, even Franklin himself famously said Penn State is not an elite program after a close and bitter loss to the Buckeyes back in 2019.
Let’s be real. Ohio State is king of the Big Ten for now and one of a small handful of college football programs that are national title and bust. I still enjoy Indy, the Rose Bowl and all that comes with it, but winning the national championship is the biggest carrot out there now.
Now, this year could be a perfect marriage because you have to go through the Rose Bowl to win the national championship, so there’s at least that.