Ohio State rolled into its first game against Nebraska with bad intentions. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a strong first showing. Heading into week two the Buckeyes will take on a reeling Nittany Lions team after they heartbreakingly lost to Indiana.
There are a few reasons to believe the Buckeyes will win in the night air of Happy Valley, and as is customary, we will focus on three of the biggest ones here. Clearly, Ohio State is wanting to make a statement after sitting dormant while other programs played for weeks, and what better way than getting a huge win on the road against a highly ranked opponent.
So let’s get into it, shall we? Here are three reasons Ohio State makes Happy Valley no so elated on Saturday night.
Next…The Quarterback is built differently
Justin Fields is on a different level…
Justin Fields is officially back 😤
What a dime
(via @CFBONFOX)pic.twitter.com/bFUA5aUs8j
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 24, 2020
Justin Fields is well — just simply Justin Fields. The Buckeye QB is on a totally different level than Penn State signal-caller Sean Clifford. I’m not taking anything away from Clifford, but Fields is a Heisman candidate and was near perfect against Nebraska after a shortened and strange off-season.
Fields is on his way to a top-of-the first-round pick in the NFL draft, and he looks even better than he did last year, at least after one game. He is throwing accurately, making sound decisions, and, at least in the first game, wasn’t pulling the ball down too early to run. He is a player that can take the game over with his arm.
With his weapons on the outside looking like they might be a touch faster than last year, Fields is more dangerous. He will need to continue to be outstanding against Penn State, but we’ve seen enough game film to know how that movie ends at this point.
Ryan Day being Ryan Day
Ryan Day is a better coach than James Franklin
Penn State head coach James Franklin made some critical coaching mistakes in the first game against Indiana. Ryan Day made very few against Nebraska. One thing that we have come to expect from Day is the ability to adjust to how teams are playing against the Buckeyes. He is very aware of situational football and that helps win close games. Franklin has made larger mistakes, and the Indiana game was a microcosm of them.
I mean, the Nittany Lions had the game one if they just would have run one more play for a first down late in the fourth quarter, not scored when Indiana let the Red Sea part, then killed the game in victory formation. It didn’t happen.
Day not only understands the situation of the game but understands the situation of his own team. He is very adept at getting his players on the same page and understanding the situation themselves. He is just the better coach despite not having as much experience, and as Penn State adjusts, so will Day.
Franklin is not a bad coach, but Day is just simply better. For every mistake another team makes, Day always looks for ways to capitalize on them. Indiana used those mistakes to beat Penn State, and still almost lost, Day would not let Penn State hang around if those same mistakes are made.
The big guys up front
The offensive line will close gaps
The most valuable guard returning to college football in 2020:
Ohio State's Wyatt Davis pic.twitter.com/zvbOti3N5u
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 24, 2020
While I think the Ohio State defense will be able to handle the Penn State offense and that is one of the big reasons Ohio State wins, the offensive line will be a touch more important. Penn State has said this week that they are preparing for Justin Fields, and that has to start with handling the offensive line.
The buffet eaters (rest in peace Keith Jackson) will take Penn State out of its gaps and give Fields passing and running lanes. This offensive line will just be too much for Penn State over the course of the game, and Wyatt Davis will help lead that charge.
For all the focus the Nittany Lions are putting on Fields ability to take off and run — and thus focusing on gap assignments to keep him contained — I don’t think they realize how good he looked passing in the first game. The offensive line will just handle what Penn State throws at them.
Bank on it.
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