And. Here. We. Go.
Penn State invades the ‘Shoe to try and pull off an upset over an Ohio State team that has looked about as dominant and complete as anyone in the country. It has a top ranked defense and offense, and has shown little signs of slowing down.
The Buckeyes are favored by as many as 18 points by some of the oddsmakers, but if there’s been any team that has provided some resistance to the flag-bearer of the Big Ten, it’s these Nittany Lions.
Despite losing quarterback Trace McSorely and other key parts to graduation last year, Penn State still comes in with just one loss, a top ten ranking, and intentions on ruining Ohio State’s chances at another Big Ten East Division crown, and shot at a third-straight conference title.
Here’s three reasons, the Nittany Lions could give the Buckeyes some fits on Saturday.
Next … The run defense?
Things could start and end on the ground
With no offense to Wisconsin, this is the best run defense Ohio State has faced. The Nittany Lions are more stingy in the running game than a politician is to truth-telling. Penn State is fourth in FBS in yards given up per game, allowing just 75.9 per contest.
As balanced as Justin Fields and the Ohio State offense has been in 2019, it all starts believe it or not on the ground. The Buckeyes are behind just the three service academies in rushing yards per game, and if Penn State can consistently hold up against the ground game, there’s a chance to remain fresh in the trenches and control the line of scrimmage.
Do that, and things won’t get out of hand. We’ve seen things start to unhinge against other D-lines somewhere in the second quarter when OSU starts to impose its will. That’ll be a good gauge in this one too.
Next … Equality of talent
Penn State has as close of talent to Ohio State as anyone else in the league
It may not be exactly the same, especially with depth, but when asked about the challenges of playing against Penn State this weekend, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day pointed to equated talent. More often than not, game plans, preparation, and execution aside, the Buckeyes can simply line up and beat win games athlete on athlete.
Even as good as Wisconsin is, it’s more of a program that recruits to a type and then plays a physical brand that’s a part of the culture in Madison.
Against the Nittany Lions though, the gap in talent isn’t that much. These have been the two highly rated recruiting programs in the league over the last few years and you’ve seen it when the two match up on the field.
Wide receiver K.J. Hamler is as good as anyone at the wide-receiver position, quarterback Sean Clifford can start at most programs in the country, and Ohio State really went after Penn State defensive end Micah Parsons until he ultimately signed with James Franklin and crew. He has been a stud off the edge by the way.
OSU might have the advantage at certain positions, but it’s not across the board. Penn State can hang athlete for athlete in a lot of cases.
Next … The weather
The skies could open up with rain
Ohio State is still the better team on paper on this one. Some of the metrics and scores we’ve seen are things that haven’t happened in a long, long time not only in Columbus, but in college football in general.
But, the great equalizer can be Mother Nature.
The forecast — though improving — is still calling for rain to come into the equation sometime during the game. If that happens, I say advantage Penn State. If the Nittany Lions can hang around, then the skies open up, Justin Fields and the talented and deep receiving corps will have a hard time getting the upper hand when the game is on the line.
Minnesota and Indiana were able to do some damage through the air, and that seems to be the blueprint of success against a very, very good defense.
That could play right into a Nittany Lion defense built to stop the run.
