Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State Football: Keys to the Game vs Ohio State

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 25, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; A general view of the stadium during the first quarter of the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

This weekend marks Penn State’s annual clash with Big Ten rival Ohio State. Can the Nittany Lions, nearly 20-point underdogs, use the White Out crowd and home atmosphere to pull off the upset?

Beaver Stadium will be electric this Saturday night as Penn State hosts its biggest rival, the Ohio State Buckeyes. Not only do the Buckeyes come to town, but it is also the annual Beaver Stadium White Out. Saturday night will be a raucous atmosphere. There will be around 107,000 white-clad screaming Penn State fans trying to will their team to its biggest win in the James Franklin Era.

To pull off the upset, Penn State will have to control one of the Big Ten and nation’s premier teams. Head Coach Urban Meyer and his Buckeye squad are currently riding a 21-game road winning streak. The last time Ohio State lost on the road was November 26, 2011 at Michigan. Of note, the loss to Michigan was one week after Penn State interim head coach Tom Bradley got his one and only Penn State head coaching victory, 20-14 at Ohio State.

Since that loss to Michigan, Ohio State has gone to some of the most hostile college venues and found ways to emerge victorious. During the streak they have won at places like Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Oklahoma), Lane Stadium (Virginia Tech), Memorial Stadium (Nebraska), Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin), Spartan Stadium (Michigan State), Michigan Stadium (Michigan) and of course, Beaver Stadium (Penn State).

The Buckeyes have won with a lethal combination of brute strength, finesse, determination, and a little luck (or referees – See Lions vs Ohio State 2014). No matter how it has happened, Ohio State has managed to find just enough to escape with the victory. And, in a game where winning is rewarded, Ohio State has been rewarded quite handsomely. Since that last road loss to cap the 2011 season, Ohio State has gone on to have an undefeated season (2012), won a national title in 2014.

This week, Ohio State puts its road winning streak on the line in what some of their players have described as the best college venue in the country. Listen to what some former Ohio State players had to say about playing at Beaver Stadium at night. Or how about this hot take from ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit on the Penn State student section

Have always felt Penn State has the best student section. With Wisconsin a close 2nd. https://t.co/ZNKrxHeeuB

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) July 5, 2016

With all of this hype for Ohio State, can Penn State generate enough turnovers and defensive pressure to keep the Buckeyes in check? Read the game keys to find out how the Nittany Lions can stun their neighbors to the West.

Apr 16, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joe Moorhead looks on during a warmup prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The Blue team defeated the White team 37-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren- USA TODAy Sports

Key 1: Break Out of the Box:

I hate to break to those in denial, but Penn State is out-manned at nearly every key position. How can the Lions expect to keep up if that statement is even remotely true? They need to think outside the box – literally! Offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead needs to continue to find ways to get both Barkley and McSorley in space.

Penn State used Maryland’s over pursuit of running back Saquon Barkley against them two weeks ago. As Maryland’s defensive ends crashed on the delayed hand off, quarterback Trace McSorley would pull the ball and scamper for big yards. This week expect Moorhead to continue calling plays designed to keep the Buckeyes defense honest.

Watch the athleticism of true freshman Connor McGovern (#66) on Trace McSorley’s touchdown two weeks ago. Two things to keep your eye on as the play develops: watch McGovern kick out the defensive end, and watch how McSorley reads this and keeps the ball. The result…six points.

http://video.btn.com/penn-state-takes-the-lead-on-mcsorley-keeper

If Penn State can keep the Buckeyes defensive front simply pinning their ears and attacking the line of scrimmage, they may provide enough time for McSorley or Barkley to make a play.

Apr 16, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive line coach Matt Limegrove looks on from the sideline during the fourth quarter of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The Blue team defeated the White team 37-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren- USA TODAY Sports

Key 2: Who Plays LT?

In all the excitement of Penn State’s win over Maryland, the Lions got word that their starting right tackle, Andrew Nelson would be lost for the year.

Consequently a dilemma soon arose. How should offensive line coach Matt Limegrover attempt to rework their offensive line? To complete the Maryland contest starting left tackle, Brendan Mahon, was moved to right tackle. Paris Palmer, who started a handful of games last season, was inserted at left tackle.

Soon after the Maryland game, coach Limegrover presented coach Franklin with various possibilities. They could keep Mahon at RT and Palmer at LT, or they could use a combination of redshirt sophomore Chasz Wright or true freshman Will Fries at LT. Each time, however, the coaches kept coming back to Mahon at RT and Palmer at LT. In doing so, coach Franklin cited Palmer’s big game experience and how he has handled pressure situations.

Palmer struggled last year with his footwork. Watch this video clip of Palmer, (at the bottom of your screen) last season at Temple. His slow footwork allowed the Temple end to simply run right around him. No doubt Ohio State defensive end Sam Hubbard is chomping at the bit to go up against Palmer. As a result, I expect the Lions to chip with help from Saquon Barkley and tight end Mike Gesicki.

If Palmer handles man-on-man blocking without the need of aid, Penn State will have more offensive weapons at their disposal.

Key 3: Who is the Best Running Back?

There is little doubt that Ohio State has not forgotten about Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. Last season, Barkley torched the Buckeyes to the tune of 194 rushing yards. He nearly single-handedly willed the Lions to a victory. If not for an ill-timed holding penalty, he would have had more than 200 rushing yards and a score.

I am confident that Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano has been scheming against Barkley all week. Because of Barkley’s penchant for juking and leaping, expect heavy doses of loading the box and spying with All-Big Ten linebacker Raekwon McMillan.

While the attention of the running game is rightly thrust upon Saquon Barkley, Ohio State possess a ball carrier that deserves attention – Mike Weber.

The redshirt freshman has quietly amassed the second most rushing yards (612 yards) in the Big Ten this season. The Detroit, MI native averages over 100 rushing yards per game and slightly over 6.5 yards per carry. In comparison, Saquon Barkley averages 97 rushing yards per game and about 5.0 yards per carry.

While Ohio State quarterback JT Barrett is multifaceted with his running and throwing ability, Penn State must also scheme to slow down Mike Weber. If Weber and Barrett can effectively run the ball, the Buckeyes can control the clock. Furthermore if Ohio State controls the ball on the ground, the Penn State defense will most certainly tire, leading to more touchdowns.

Guess who leads the Big Ten in time of possession? Yep – Ohio State. The Buckeyes possess the ball for nearly 35 minutes per game. Penn State, on the other hand, is last in the conference in time of possession. The Lions hold the ball for slightly higher than 27 minutes per game. On Saturday there is no way that statistic can hold if the Nittany Lions hope to win the game.

Sep 17, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State University students wave their pompoms during the fourth quarter against the Temple Owls at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Temple 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O”Haren- USA TODAY Sports

Key 4: Use the Crowd:

The White Out atmosphere is one the best in college football. The totally white-clad stadium (except for a sliver in the corner of the North end zone) mirrors as one of the best scenes in all of college football. Penn State needs to use that energy and noise to their advantage.

A stat from StateCollege.com’s Mike Poorman encapsulates how important the crowd will need to be Saturday night. Penn State is 13-18 all-time against Ohio State. Here is the truly damning stat though: Penn State is a meager 1-11 against Ohio State when the Buckeyes are ranked No. 5 or better. Penn State’s lone win came in 1964.

Two years ago, the crowd nearly helped the Lions pull off the upset.

They will need to be every bit as instrumental Saturday night if the Lions are going to pull the stunner. The longer the Lions can keep the game close, the longer and louder the fans will be. In 2006 and 2014, the Lions pressured Ohio State from the outset. As a result, the fans continued to back the Lions for a full 60 minutes, or longer.

On Saturday, look for Penn State to feed off the crowd’s energy. Furthermore, I expect the crowd noise to play a part in at least a few Ohio State offensive penalties.

So, lets keep up the noise and make it difficult for JT Barrett to audible or change protection at the line of scrimmage.