College football Week 10 preview: Who needs a win more — Ryan Day or James Franklin?

College football fans have been treated to several top-five matchups in the first half of the season, all of which have lived up to the hype.

There was Alabama's epic 41-34 victory over Georgia in Week 5. There was Oregon's 32-31 narrow win over Ohio State in Week 7.  And then there was Georgia's 30-15 triumph over Texas back in Week 8.

This weekend, another top-five showdown is set to take center stage in Happy Valley as No. 3 Penn State hosts No. 4 Ohio State in what should be an epic Big Ten matchup (Noon ET on FOX and the FOX Sports App).

FOX Sports college football writers Laken Litman, Michael Cohen and RJ Young are here to answer the biggest questions heading into the matchup:

No. 4 Ohio State travels to Happy Valley to take on No. 3 Penn State on FOX. Who needs this game more: Ryan Day or James Franklin?

Laken Litman: Ryan Day. 

If Ohio State didn't already have one loss to Oregon, then the answer might be different. But Day and Ohio State can't afford to have two Big Ten losses. That would effectively take the Buckeyes out of conference championship contention, which is something this team hasn't won since 2020. Not making it to the Big Ten Championship game wouldn't disqualify OSU from the College Football Playoff, but it would make that path way more challenging.

For Ohio State, this season is national championship or bust. Day utilized the transfer portal better than most, veteran stars decided to come back for another year rather than go to the NFL, and Chip Kelly joined the program as the offensive coordinator. The Buckeyes have a lot going for them this year, and another loss would simply be maddening for this team.

Michael Cohen: It has to be Day, right? Nearly four years have passed since Ohio State