After figuring out Iowa later in the game, and blowing the Hawkeyes out 54-10 last week in Columbus, Ohio State hits the road this week, traveling to Penn State to take on the Nittany Lions. This year's game is not a white out since it's a noon game. But that doesn't make Happy Valley any less intimidating for opposing teams. Penn State fans routinely pack the place to well over capacity. The all-time record crowd for Beaver Stadium was 110,889. In that game on September 29, 2018, the Buckeyes stunned Penn State 27-26 in an instant classic.
While I don't expect a white-knuckle game like that in this one, Penn State has always played Ohio State very tough in State College. The average margin of victory for the Buckeyes over the last three trips to Beaver Stadium? A touchdown per game. I could definitely see the Buckeyes failing to cover Vegas' 15-point spread. I'm surprised it's that big, honestly. Penn State is a solid team, and there's just something about this game that always makes me a little uneasy. I can't quite put my finger on it.
But this will undoubtedly be one of Ohio State's biggest tests of the year. We're firmly in the back half of the season now, and the Buckeyes and Wolverines are tied atop the Big Ten East, with the Nittany Lions in hot pursuit. So, how do the boys in Scarlet and Gray get the job done today in Happy Valley? Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory!
Start fast!
Ohio State struggled mightily on offense to get things going against a tough Iowa defense for a lot of the game last week. The saving grace in that situation? Iowa's offense can't score to save their life! The Buckeyes won't have any such safety net this time. While the Buckeye offense is one of the most explosive in the nation, averaging nearly 50 points per game, and 517 yards of total offense per game, both good for Top 5 rankings, they can't afford a slow start here. Penn State's a clear underdog. They know it. Their fans know it. And if the Nittany Lion defense comes ready to play and gets the Beaver Stadium crowd into it? It could be a frustrating day for CJ Stroud and Co. The Buckeyes need to take control of the game early by establishing their physicality, scoring early and often, and taking the home crowd out of it.
Keep up the defensive momentum from last week
I saw last week's performance by the Ohio State defense in two different ways: Great, and expected. They were indeed fantastic. But it was expected against an offense that was as anemic as Iowa's. I'm sure a lot of Buckeye fans went crazy over how the Silver Bullets played against the Hawkeyes. After all, forcing six turnovers and holding Iowa to three points IS impressive compared to last season's defensive unit. If that unit had played last week? Iowa would've scored at least 21 points. They just weren't good. last year. That wasn't an elite Silver Bullet defense. That wasn't even an average defense. That unit struggled mightily to shut down anybody without hemorrhaging points and yards, and counting on an explosive offense to bail them out.
Jim Knowles has fixed whatever was wrong with the Buckeye defense. Plain and simple. The man has come over from Stillwater, Oklahoma and gotten the job done. He's bought into whatever Coach Ryan Day wants to do, and pushed himself to reach that expectation of excellence. And every single one of his players has followed suit. They're swarming to the football, getting good quarterback pressure, forcing turnovers, shutting down most plays before they have a chance to cause problems, and only giving up 15 points per game. The scary part? I don't think these guys are anywhere near their peak yet. This defense could be National Championship caliber very, very soon. But they'll be tested big time today in Happy Valley. If they shut down Penn State, and hold the Nittany Lions to about 17 points or less while containing Sean Clifford and forcing at least one turnover? I'll start believing that this defense is capable of some VERY big things!
Get the running game going
Ohio State is already a dangerous team. But Iowa made them one-dimensional last week. They were held to just 66 rushing yards, and it took a while before CJ Stroud and the offense figured things out and torched the Hawkeyes. In order to truly be a National Championship contender, the Buckeyes need to be able to both run the football and throw it at a high level. TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams are two extremely talented running backs. But they're almost constantly overshadowed by CJ Stroud and the high-octane passing attack. While I'm sure they'd be humble and tell you they'd just be happy if the team won and looked good, it's time for either one or both of these guys to have a breakout day against some real competition! I'd say Ohio State needs to run for at least 150+ yards as a team today. And I am being conservative on that estimate. I'd love to see a lot more. But if the Buckeyes prove they can both run and throw the ball equally well against a Top 15 team? That will go a long way to determining just how truly good this team can be.
Ohio State and Penn State meet for the 37th time today. Ohio State holds a 22-14 edge in the series. Penn State hasn't won since a blocked field goal gave them the win in 2016 under the lights at home. Hopefully CJ Stroud and the rest of the Buckeyes can stretch the winning streak to six in a row today, and turn State College into Unhappy Valley! You can catch all the action at high noon on FOX! GO BUCKS!
Sources: athlonsports.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Ohio State Buckeyes at ESPN, Buckeyes Wire at USA Today
Picture Credit: nitrobetting.eu
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