Final thoughts ahead of Ohio State vs. Penn State Saturday in week 10
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We’ve already sliced and diced this matchup a hundred different ways, and now it’s time to give some final thoughts ahead of the Ohio State vs. Penn State matchup set for Saturday afternoon.
These final thoughts aren’t anything earth-shattering, but are a combination of things you may not have thought up with the matchup with the Nittany Lions, maybe some facts, but mostly it’s just a dump of thoughts that we have prior to the game. Some of it might be a little senseless, some of it might be off the wall, and some of it might just be nothing at all.
Here are some final thoughts ahead of the Ohio State vs. Penn State college football game on the banks of the Olentangy on Saturday.
Ohio State vs. Penn State final thoughts
- Ohio State has won eight straight games over Penn State. It sure feels like No. 9 is coming, but sometimes things happen when least expected in college football. We’ve already seen that this year across the country; let’s hope things are drama-free in Columbus.
- A lot is being made about Jim Knowles knowing how to attack the Ohio State offense, but doesn’t the same apply for the Buckeye offense knowing how to put the pressure on a scheme it worked against for three years while Knowles was prowling around at the Woody Hayes Athletic complex?
- As ho-hum as this matchup seems to be because of Penn State’s underwhelming and underachieving season, but the storylines are enough to raise excitement. The first of that is the Jim Knowles factor.
- Speaking of that, will Ryan Day be more aggressive because of the backdrop of Knowles and how he departed Columbus? That’s something that has me intrigued.
- Can Ohio State get the running game going today? As good as the passing game can be, you feel like OSU is going to need that running game at some point in the season (ahem, Michigan). Now is the time when you’d like to see that build a little.
- With the injury to Drew Allar, Columbus area product Ethan Grunkemeyer will get the start for Penn State under center. That’s a tough homecoming against the best defense in the country, but how will playing in the ‘Shoe back home impact the inexperienced quarterback?
- Maybe, just maybe, if this ends up being a close game, Penn State can find a way to bring it home without James Franklin on the sidelines any longer? There was clearly a mind block there against top competition when things got tight late.
- It feels like the Nittany Lions are going to come out with some new stuff for this game. Interim head coach Terry Smith alluded to it during his media availability. There was an open week to work on it, and Penn State has nothing to lose. Ohio State has to be ready for almost anything.
- Is Brian Hartline a real candidate to take over Penn State? Buckeye Nation hopes not, but if so, this might be a job interview for him. Let’s hope that doesn’t impact the playcalling too much.
- Penn State has the talent to cause the Ohio State offense some issues, especially on the defensive line. The offensive line hasn’t been as productive as we thought it would be so far this year, and this will be a stiff test Saturday. Let’s hope we see some signs of turning the corner.
- Who gets the “Lion’s” share of carries today at running back? It feels like it’s time to get that rotation figured out for the stretch run, and it also feels like two freshmen, Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, are the best options. I’m anxious to see how that plays out.
- It’s hard to see how Ohio State loses all the way until the trip to Ann Arbor, but if Penn State finds a way to play up to its talent level on Saturday, this might be the hardest one to get by on the way to a massive collision north of the border.
- Let’s have a great game.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs. Penn State: Final thoughts ahead of Saturday’s game
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