The Ohio State Buckeyes roll into Happy Valley riding a huge win while the Penn State Nittany Lions are licking their wounds after dropping their first game to Indiana. By all accounts, the Buckeyes should win this game, but in a “rivalry” game, anything can happen. OSU cannot afford to get too comfortable as Penn State can present some challenges with the talent on the roster.
I do believe Ohio State has a better overall team, but that does not mean Penn State is a bad football team. This game was projected to be a battle between to top 10 teams, and while that isn’t happening, that doesn’t mean it won’t feel or look like it — or eventually be. If the Nittany Lions can keep it close, they could cause problems. Here are three reasons why.
Sean Clifford has a bounce-back game
Sean Clifford is a good quarterback, period.
ESPN TOTAL QBR SEASON
1 Justin Fields/OSU 97.0
2 Mac Jones/BAMA 96.6
3 Graham Mertz/WIS 95.8
4 Peyton Ramsey/NW 94.1
5 Joe Milton/MICH 93.0
6 Kyle Trask/FLA 92.7
7 Sean Clifford/PSU 91.2
8 Trevor Lawrence/CLEM 86.6
9 Stetson Bennett/UGA 86.5
10 Matt Corral/MISS 86.1#CFB2020— CFB Focus 🏈 (@cffmwachsman) October 25, 2020
People will instantly key into the two interceptions that Sean Clifford threw against Indiana and think that’s who he is. Until you look deeper and realize he had a 68% completion percentage and three touchdowns. Last season Clifford threw seven picks all season and twenty-three touchdowns. Bottom line? The Penn State signal-caller is a solid quarterback.
Clifford also was the leading rusher for Penn State with 119 yards on the ground and another touchdown, so he can throw and run. Add in Clifford’s receiver Jahan Dotson and tight end Pat Freiermuth as two dangerous weapons, and Clifford has what he needs to test this Buckeyes defense.
Penn State’s defense isn’t the Indiana score
The Nittany Lions defense is not a 36 point defense
Penn State's defense handles Indiana again, forcing another three-and-out. The Hoosiers will punt for the second time.
— Blue White Illustrated (@BWIonRivals) October 24, 2020
If you look strictly at the final score of the Indiana loss, you would think the Penn State defense was not good for most of the game. You would be wrong. That doesn’t mean the Nittany Lion D didn’t have some stumbles, especially late in the game. The Hoosiers don’t have a high powered offense, but mixing in two interceptions and a fumble recovery by Indiana, there’s simply more context to the 36 points scored.
For large stretches of the game, the Nittany Lion defense stood tall and gave Penn State every reason to win the game. It wasn’t until it bent toward the end of the game that could that side of the ball could really be “blamed” for anything. This defense is good and is well disciplined. A talented defense could cause problems if Ohio State takes it for granted.
Rivalry games are weird and Penn State wants this
After a loss against Indiana, Penn State is focused on making a statement
QB Sean Clifford thinks Penn State can play with any team in the country. pic.twitter.com/IN9dl0Ma70
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 29, 2020
Penn State was shocked and is getting angrier about its loss to Indiana. The Nittany Lions will want to prove they are still an “elite” team (right James Franklin?) and the loss was nothing more than first game jitters in a weird season. This is a rivalry game and those can always go off-kilter.
There is no reason to think Penn State will roll over after the loss to Indiana and give up on the season. PSU seemed focused on beating Ohio State and that can be dangerous. The Nittany Lions really have nothing to lose at this point and everything to gain. If Ohio State even thinks about this being a walk in the park the Buckeyes could find themselves in trouble.
Ohio State should win this game, but mistakes could be dangerous against Penn State. This is one of those games you have to remain focused on or pay the price. We’re about to find out how focused both sides are in this one on Saturday night.
