Record
Ohio State (1-0), Penn State (0-1)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, Oct. 31
Game Time: 7:30 pm EDT
Network: ABC
Venue: Beaver Stadium – Capacity – 106,572 (no fans permitted due to COVID-19 restrictions)
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads 20-14
Last Meeting: Ohio State defeated Penn State 28-17 in 2019
After a somewhat slow start, Ohio State took care of Nebraska the way we thought they would. There is definitely work to do, especially on the offensive and defensive lines, but, overall, the Buckeyes looked as good as advertised.
A trip to Happy Valley looms this week, although the Nittany Lions don’t seem quite as fierce after a loss to Indiana and the absence of the vaunted “white out” crowd. Nonetheless, these two programs have slugged it out over the past several years and nothing can be taken for granted.
Next … The game plan
Ohio State game plan for victory
Justin Fields looked like he was in midseason form against Nebraska, missing on one pass all day. It was fun to watch. However, the offensive line didn’t seem to open many holes for the running game. To be fair, the Black Shirt defense was stacking the line and playing the run, often sending more defenders than Ohio State had blockers for. Still, we’d like to see more space made for the running backs to operate.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cornhuskers gashed the Buckeye D, scoring on the opening drive in under two minutes. The secondary looked sharp, and the line started getting some pressure in the backfield in the second half.
Penn State is not the same team we thought they were going to be coming into the season. Preseason All-American, Micah Parsons, decided to opt out amid COVID concerns, and running back Journey Brown could miss the season with an undisclosed injury. That leaves a lot of weight on the shoulders of quarterback Sean Clifford and All-American tight end Pat Freiermuth. Clifford is a more than capable runner when flushed from the pocket and loves finding his favorite target Freiermuth.
Next … The key players for Ohio State
Two Key Players For Ohio State
Garrett Wison – Wide Receiver. Wilson picked up right where he left off from the Fiesta Bowl, hauling in 7 receptions for 129 yards and a score. He’s quickly becoming a go-to target for Justin Fields, although the Buckeye QB does an excellent job of spreading the wealth. Wilson lined up in the slot quite often against Nebraska, a spot where K.J. Hill made a living for the Scarlet and Gray. Wilson will again be very involved in the game plan, especially with Chris Olave’s injury being unclear.
Justin Fields throws an absolute strike to Garrett Wilson 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/AANuxQwxCy
— Buckeye Videos+ (@BuckeyeVideos) October 24, 2020
Haskell Garrett – Defensive Line: Can we give a round of applause for a guy who took a bullet through the cheek just two months ago and still suited up for his teammates? Garrett didn’t have eye-popping stats, but he made his presence known disrupting plays all day. Keeping Nittany Lion quarterback Sean Clifford uncomfortable will make life much easier on the entire Buckeye defense.
Two months after getting shot in the face, Haskell Garrett records a sack. Incredible 🙌 pic.twitter.com/pzTxSpt1Ex
— Barstool OSU (@BarstoolOSU) October 24, 2020
Next … How it’ll all do down
The prediction
Ohio State rounded into rhythm and looked the part of national title contender in its win over Nebraska. Penn State, which was ranked No. 8 in the country, never really looked comfortable while battling and ultimately losing to the Indiana Hoosiers in overtime.
Night games with the “White Out” are usually a scary prospect for opposing teams coming to Happy Valley, but no fans means no sea of white. On top of that, Penn State comes into this game at less than full force. This game will be played on Halloween night, but I see no need for the Buckeyes to be frightened.
With only eight games scheduled in the season, the Buckeyes know they need to make a statement each week. Ohio State will do so once again this week by dominating a Nittany Lion team trying to pick itself up off the mat, but the Bucks deliver the knockout punch to Penn State’s season.
Final Score
Ohio State 42, Penn State 20
Line
Ohio State – 12.5
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