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Six Ways Penn State Can Beat Ohio State

Published

3 years ago

October 27, 2022

Ohio State arrives at Penn State on Saturday with probably the most outrageously gifted rosters Beaver Stadium has seen lately. The second-ranked Buckeyes have bulldozed their final six opponents with a statistical dominance filled with breathtaking numbers.

The Buckeyes rank first or second within the Massive Ten in 10 classes, main in scoring, complete offense, red-zone offense and tackles for loss.
They’re averaging 54.3 factors per recreation of their final six.
They’re the nation’s solely good crew (36-for-36) in red-zone scoring, with 31 touchdowns.
They lead the nation in common yards per play (7.7).
Their protection has not allowed a speeding landing in three video games.

And on it goes. Ohio State represents a Demise Star, however Penn State can discover some flaws. The Lions do not should play an ideal recreation Saturday however may want some completely timed schemes, personnel units and performs to attain the upset.

It may be carried out. Listed below are some keys to a Penn State win over Ohio State.

A brand new offensive present

Penn State took a number of vital offensive steps ahead in its 45-17 win over Minnesota, notably reintroducing the tight ends. That ought to proceed.

However the Lions additionally should assault Ohio State with appears, formations and performs that they have not proven but this season. That does not imply trick performs or Wildcat formations. Penn State can run its base offense however incorporate motions, completely different personnel and different formations that Ohio State hasn’t seen. Coach James Franklin all however assured that can occur.

“Now we have to do some issues this week on offense which might be going to present Ohio State pause,” Franklin stated.

Strain CJ Stroud

One cause Ohio State’s quarterback has been so efficient is the shortage of strain he has confronted. Stroud is without doubt one of the least-touched quarterbacks within the nation. Ohio State has allowed simply 5 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries this season. 5 groups, together with Iowa, didn’t report a rush in opposition to Stroud.

Penn State, in the meantime, has report 15 sacks and 30 quarterback hurries, with Adisa Isaac and Chop Robinson combining for eight hurries. Robinson didn’t play in opposition to Minnesota. His return is crucial.

“With the ability to get strain on the quarterback and make him uncomfortable within the pocket, that might be worthwhile,” Franklin stated.

Athletes, athletes, athletes

Penn State has combined youth and expertise at a number of positions, notably on protection, this season. Now’s the time, nevertheless, to match Ohio State with essentially the most athletic roster Penn State can put forth.

Meaning Curtis Jacobs and Abdul Carter at linebacker, when relevant. It means potential dual-back units with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. It means activating the tight ends. It means an enormous, No. 1-receiver recreation from Parker Washington.

It additionally would require Penn State to trip or die with its secondary. Joey Porter Jr. has been quiet currently, largely as a result of groups not throw close to him. Ohio State has too many receivers to go away Porter inactive. He must be a first-round decide Saturday.

Restrict and string possessions

Penn State started the sport in opposition to Minnesota with a pair of three-and-outs and an interception. These are errors you possibly can overcome in opposition to a second-string quarterback, which Minnesota performed. Stroud, although, will not be so sort.

Particularly early, Penn State has to string some possessions to regulate the tenor of the sport and restrict Stroud’s time with the soccer. It may be powerful for a big-play offense to shorten a recreation, however the Lions should attempt.

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Restore the offensive line

Penn State might need points right here. Sort out Caedan Wallace and guard Sal Wormley missed elements of the Minnesota recreation, and guard Landon Tengwall didn’t play. That pressured all-purpose lineman Bryce Effner to play three positions and the Lions to insert true freshman Vega Ioane, whom they need to redshirt.

Penn State’s offensive line is not at full power. In the meantime, Ohio State leads the Massive Ten in tackles for loss (51) and ranks third in sacks (19). There is no replenishing to be carried out right here. If the Lions do not get some linemen again, they’re in hassle.

A profession day from Sean Clifford

The Penn State quarterback had a terrific post-interception recreation in opposition to Minnesota. Really, he largely was on level. However in his profession, Clifford has not strung collectively back-to-back Massive Ten video games with a completion fee of 70 p.c or higher.

Clifford should be greater than good Saturday. He has to make just a few hero performs with out enjoying hero ball. Although not essentially his power, that needs to be Clifford’s strategy.

Penn State hosts Ohio State at midday ET Saturday at Beaver Stadium. FOX will televise.

PENN STATE FANS: SI Tickets is your one-stop store for tickets to quite a lot of Penn State sporting occasions, from soccer to basketball, hockey to volleyball. Want tickets to the Penn State recreation? Try SI Tickets.

Learn Extra

Ohio State’s largest thorn lately? It is Penn State

Penn State publicizes new scholar security protocols at Beaver Stadium

Penn State AD calls 2023 Massive Ten soccer schedule ‘extremely irritating and disappointing’

Scouting the Buckeyes: The view from Ohio State

‘Quick and aggressive’ Penn State readies for Ohio State

How Penn State’s Mike Yurcich helped Ohio State land CJ Stroud

For Sean Clifford, an evening of ‘coronary heart and soul’

Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh blames Penn State for ‘sophomoric’ tunnel ploy

AllPennState is the place for Penn State information, opinion and perspective on the SI.com community. Writer Mark Wogenrich has lined Penn State for greater than 20 years, monitoring three teaching staffs, three Massive Ten titles and a catalog of nice tales. Comply with him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And think about subscribing (button’s on the house web page) for extra nice content material throughout the SI.com community.

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Ohio State’s defense is already elite, but these two players could make it even better

Published

5 hours ago

October 21, 2025

Press Room

Ohio State’s defense is already elite, but these two players could make it even better

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State’s defense has been nothing short of dominant this season, but what’s scary for future opponents is that it might be on the verge of getting even better.

The latest episode of Buckeye Talk revealed two fascinating developments that could transform an already-elite unit into something truly unstoppable.

The first involves what Stephen Means described as “the ultimate good problem” at the nickel position. While Lorenzo Styles has been solid, Jermaine Mathews has shown flashes of being an elite playmaker who can dramatically change games with his ability to create turnovers.

“This is, I think, the ultimate good problem that a defense could have — where the guy who’s doing a job isn’t doing it poorly, but there just might be a guy who is elite, elite, elite at it,” Means said.

The option between Styles and Mathews represents the luxury Ohio State now has – two excellent players for one position, with Mathews offering a specific skill set that addresses one of the few areas where the defense could improve: creating more takeaways.

Co-host Stefan Krajisnik emphasized Mathews’ impact:

“I just think he’s such a difference-maker for you that if that’s the one thing you feel like this defense is lacking… I would continue to give Jermaine Mathews some snaps there in the slot.”

But perhaps the most intriguing revelation came from defensive end Kenyatta Jackson, who approached defensive coordinator Matt Patricia about being allowed more freedom as a pass rusher.

Jackson, who has been disciplined in his containment responsibilities against mobile quarterbacks, wanted permission to use his full arsenal of pass-rush moves.

Means highlighted the significance of this conversation:

“I also love the fact that he said that Matt Patricia’s response was like, ‘Yeah, just don’t go past quarterback… You can do whatever you want as long as you don’t put us at a disadvantage.”

This context explains why Jackson hasn’t been as statistically productive as many expected. Against more traditional pocket passers, Jackson could now be unleashed, complementing Caden Curry (who’s putting up numbers comparable to Chase Young’s Heisman campaign start) and creating a truly terrifying pass rush.

What we witnessed against Wisconsin – where Jackson registered three pressures and a sack after this conversation with Patricia – might just be the beginning. Ohio State’s defense is already allowing a minuscule 5.9 points per game, but these adjustments suggest the best is yet to come.

Here’s the podcast for this week:

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What’s Up With That? Why isn’t trick or treating always on Halloween?

Published

1 day ago

October 20, 2025

Press Room

What’s Up With That? Why isn’t trick or treating always on Halloween?

Why do central Ohio communities trick or treat on nights other than Halloween?

This week’s What’s Up With That? is a personal one, as it’s a query I’ve had since I moved to Columbus nearly seven years ago. What’s the origin of central Ohio’s complex (to outsiders) tradition of holding trick or treating (or Beggars Night, as some call it) on nights other than Oct. 31?

It is a question that has been asked and answered by The Columbus Dispatch before. But to save you a journey through our archives, I’ll recap the history here.

Why does central Ohio schedule trick-or-treating on nights other than Halloween?

Up until 2005, when the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission adopted the current system for recommending when communities should hold trick-or-treating, Columbus hadn’t held the event on Halloween itself in 90 years, according to past Dispatch reporting.

Columbus historically held a raucous Downtown Halloween party on Oct. 31, according to our archives, prompting the preference for Oct. 30 as the day kids could collect candy. That party was discontinued in the 1950s over too much revelry, but Oct. 30 trick-or-treating persisted.

MORPC took on its role as trick-or-treat scheduler in 1993 and adopted the current system it uses to choose the date in 2005. MORPC’s recommendation is just that; communities are still free to set their own trick-or-treating days and times.

When is central Ohio trick-or-treating in 2025?

Here’s MORPC’s system: When Halloween falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, trick or treat typically takes place the Thursday before Oct. 31 in central Ohio. When Halloween falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, expect costumed kids on the day itself.

In 2015, a MORPC spokesman told the Dispatch the system was meant to increase convenience for families. Friday or Saturday night trick or treating could conflict with football (as could Sunday, for that matter, although in central Ohio it’s largely the first two putting a dent in people’s calendars).

Since Halloween falls on a Friday this year, the recommended trick-or-treat date is Oct. 30, and cities and towns have official candy-calling hours of 6-8 p.m.

But there are exceptions. Here’s a look at which Franklin County communities are going their own way:

Bexley: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
Grandview Heights: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31
Groveport: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
Madison Township: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
Worthington: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31

You can see other communities’ hours in this list we published in early October.

Have a question about Columbus? I’ll find your answer

What other weird central Ohio traditions would you like to have explained? I’m happy to track down the information. Or just curious what that development is, or why the traffic pattern you hate is the way it is?

Email ekennedy@dispatch.com and I will see what I can do.

Eleanor Kennedy is the senior digital director of the Columbus Dispatch. She can breached at ekennedy@dispatch.com.

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Where is Ohio State football ranked in major polls after Week 8?

Published

2 days ago

October 19, 2025

Press Room

Where is Ohio State football ranked in major polls after Week 8?

Ohio State showed no sign of loosening its grip on the No. 1 ranking this weekend.

The Buckeyes routed Wisconsin in a 34-0 win that marked the third time in four weeks that they prevailed on the road in the Big Ten to preserve their unblemished record.

At 7-0, they are one of only six unbeaten teams left in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Below is their ranking in the major polls after Week 8:

Ohio State football rankings after Week 8

US LBM Coaches Poll

The Buckeyes are the consensus No. 1 among the coaches, receiving all 65 first-place votes following Miami’s loss to Louisville on Oct. 17.

The Hurricanes, who were previously unbeaten, had two first-place votes last week prior to the upset.

The rest of the top-five includes Indiana at No. 2, Texas A&M at No. 3, Alabama at No. 4 and Georgia at No. 5.

AP Top 25

Ohio State received 60 out of the 66 first-place votes in the AP poll with second-ranked Indiana getting the remaining six.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow along on Bluesky, Instagram and X for more.

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