Ohio State brings size, speed into matchup
Penn State is 0-1 and staring at an 0-2start. OhioState, oneofthenation’s premier teams, visits Beaver Stadium on Saturday night. The Buckeyes opened as an eight-point favorite and the line has already jumped to 12.5. Penn State, a 36-35 loser to Indiana in Week 1, is going to have to play much better against Ohio State to have any chance.
Here are some of the players and coaches to watch.
Ellis Brooks: Penn State’s fourthyear junior inside linebacker is mentioned here for a couple of reasons. I thought he had a solid game against Indiana and finished with five tackles and a forced fumble. But remember, the Lions will be without another veteran linebacker, Jesse Luketa, for the first half after his targeting ejection vs. the Hoosiers.
And that means it will be up to Brooks and fellow linebackers Brandon Smith and Lance Dixon to try to contain Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields in the run game.
Fields, who completed 20 of 21 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns against Nebraska, also ran for 54 yards and a score against the Cornhuskers. Fields ran for 68yards against Penn State last season and made a number of big plays with his legs. His mobility was the difference in Ohio State’s 28-17 over PSU last season.
Garrett Wilson: Pick an Ohio State receiver, any receiver, and chances are he was recruited by every major school in the country. Wilson did major damage against Nebraska, finishing with seven catches for 129 yards and a touchdowns. And the Buckeyes also have an elite wideout in Chris Olave (six catches, 104 yards).
Joe Lorig: The Lions’ special teams coordinator must have his guys prepared for a better effort against the Buckeyes. Against Indiana, PSU missed three field goals, allowed a 21-yard punt return and did nothing in its return game last Saturday.
Ohio State’s run defense: The Buckeyes can score points but how goodis OhioState against the run? Yes, the Buckeyes beat Nebraska handily last Saturday but the Cornhuskers did run for 210 yards, averaging 5.8 per carry.
The Buckeyes’ offensive line: Penn State and Ohio State boast two of the top offensive lines in the country and the Buckeyes’ front, anchored by guard Wyatt Davis, tackle Thayer Munford and center Josh Myers, will look to take control of the game.