NFL
By: Courtney Walsh
When: Saturday November 2nd, 2024 12 pm eastern time
Where: Beaver Stadium
Who: #3 Penn State Nittany Lions (7-0) Vs #4 Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1)
My dad once said football is like school because you have pop quizzes and tests all year. But at some point midterms and finals come around and then you find out how much you did or didn’t learn. Well, for this year’s Penn State team, the midterm starts at noon when they take the field against Ohio State. All the preseason talk and excitement so far this season comes down to this one and another shot for not just this head coach but this program to let the college football world know we are for REAL. On the other sidelines, Ryan Day also has his feet toasting by the fire but a win here and what I expect to be a nuclear-level beating of Michigan should cool things down for him. Back to the home team what are the keys to the game? How can we match up with a high-powered offense and a deep defense? How many times will this program keep beating the teams “we should”, and then get pimp slapped by the elite? More importantly, how does Penn State shake off the ghosts of big games past and earn win number 8?
Convert On Third Downs:
We all remember last year when Penn State went 0-14 on 3rd down and scored 6 points. Well, Andy Kotelnicki this why we brought you in my man. Drew Allar has looked like a different quarterback and Kotelnicki is a big part of that. Keeping the Buckeyes offense on the bench would go a long way in this contest. This is far and away the best defense PSU has faced all year so a true test in every way. 3rd and shorts are a much better look than being forced to throw every time putting pressure on the offensive line. And if Allar can’t go, is limited you want him to not have to be the hero all the time that isn’t a winning formula. Beau Pribula was steady last week and showed he can handle things but these are the Buckeyes a whole different animal.
Can We Run The Ball?
The duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton are one of the best in the nation, the Buckeyes are 6th in the nation against the run while allowing 2.84 yards per carry. Circling back to the QB concerns for PSU a steady run game is that much more important. You know how winning football works running keeps the other team on the sidelines while burning the clock. Both are also threats in the passing game and make things happen in space. How they perform early will be something to watch for and a telling sign.
Defense, Defense, Defense:
Coming into this game PSU ranks 8th in scoring defense and has a dynamic front 4 who can get after the quarterback. Ohio State’s running game has not been impressive this season so far at all. It would be nice to keep it that way. In terms of passing the name Jeremiah Smith is one all Big Ten fans know and will be playing on Sundays. The cornerbacks will be tested and look for Jaylen Reed to make some noise as well. Smith is going to make plays the question is are they BIG plays or just in the flow of the game? The entire Ohio State WR crop is good and when given a chance will make you pay for mistakes.
Final Verdict:
Does it end now? Can Penn State and James Franklin get over the hump and keep the College Football Playoff dream alive? Will they cast out the demons who have held them back so much? We can’t forget that Ohio State, meanwhile, has major issues upfront as left tackle Josh Simmons and his backup Zen Michalski are both injured. Will this be the difference for the Nittany Lions? Of the two QBs Beau Pribula is more mobile and I watched the last two games for Ohio State they gave up explosive plays to mobile quarterbacks. I say it ENDS today!
Penn State 27
Ohio State 21
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