It may not have gone exactly as Ohio State would have liked, but it’s still a W in the win column. There were some uncharacteristic turnovers, a little rain and wind, and some key penalties that kept Penn State in the game, but in the end the Buckeyes did what they needed to stay undefeated.
With it, Ohio State clinches the outright Big Ten East title and will head to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship Game for the third straight year. It doesn’t even matter what happens against Michigan next week, at least for all those things to happen.
But more on that later.
Here’s five things we learned about Ohio State in a 28-17 victory over a top ten Penn State team.
It took a lot for Penn State to even be in the game
With all due respect to Penn State, Ohio State was clearly the better and more talented team. It took three turnovers, some uncharacteristic penalties, and almost every single replay review going the way of the Nittany Lions to even keep this thing in shouting distance.
OSU outgained PSU 417 yards to 227, ran all over a Penn State defense that was one of the best in the country, yet this thing was still a game into the fourth quarter. That’s because Justin Fields fumbled twice, J.K. Dobbins dropped it on the turf once, and some bounces and plays went the other way.
Frankly, Ohio State is probably at least three touchdowns better on any other day. But, credit the Nittany Lions for clawing and fighting in this one.
Next … Penn State fought in this one
Penn State could have given up, but did anything but
On that note, this one could have gotten ugly. Ohio State went up 21-0 early in the third quarter and it looked like the door was beginning to shut. But Penn State bowed its back, took advantage of some opportunities, and used a backup quarterback to get some momentum and make this thing a bit of a game.
Credit to the Nittany Lion program. It sure believes Ohio State is its biggest rivalry and came to play. Still, it’s another loss and the short-end of the stick again for James Franklin. You can’t help but tip your cap though.
Next … Chase Young, beast
Chase Young should still get a shot at the Heisman
If you didn’t watch this game — or any for that matter — and come away believing Ohio State defensive end Chase Young belongs in New York for the Heisman, you don’t know football very well.
Even when Young didn’t get to the quarterback, he was in the backfield and speeding up the clock of both Sean Clifford and Will Levis. He ended with three more sacks to become the single-season sack leader in program history, forced two more fumbles, had nine tackles, and was an absolute game wrecker.
Send that kid to New York. That’s the least of what should happen. He won’t win the thing because of the two-game suspension, but he should get every look.
Next … Ball security at the quarterback spot
Fields and his ball security have to be better
Maybe it had something to do with the weather, or the fact that Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields has been dealing with a thumb issue, but putting the ball on the turf can’t happen going forward.
At home, against Penn State, the team got away with turnovers, but I’ve been saying all along this Nittany Lion team is a step below teams like Ohio State, Clemson, and LSU. Some of it was fluky, but beginning next week in hostile territory in Ann Arbor, giving the ball to the opponent might end up costing some really big things to come to fruition.
As good as Fields has been, he’d be the first to tell you that he has to be better in that category.
Next … Off to Michigan
All we can say is … it’s Michigan week
We’ll end this column by turning the page, because it’s the one week of the year where you don’t have time to celebrate. That’s because it’s the one day during the OSU football season where you have to turn your gaze toward That Team Up North.
Yes. It is officially Michigan week folks. No matter what the stakes are, anytime these two match up there’s always history, grit, and hatred on the line.
Queue it up. Light up the vitriol and get ready to finish this thing. There’s no better place to be than Ann Arbor to continue the journey towards a special season.
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