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Gametime: 3:30 pm
Records: Ohio State: 7-2 (4-1); Penn State: 8-1 (4-1)
Series Record: Tied, 12-12
TV: ABC, ESPN (regional)
Audio: Here
Weather: High of 55, 10% chance of rain.
If we had to circle one game on the schedule every year, we would pick the Ohio State game, no questions asked. As much as we hate Michigan, and as much as Iowa is becoming a huge thorn in our side, no team pisses us off and fires us up like the hated Buckeyes.
Usually a lot of that hatred comes from the fact that they're so damn good every year. Don't get us wrong, they're no slouch this year, but things are a little different than usual. You can see flaws in the system now. They have a shaky, vulnerable QB and Tressel has been exposed as a less-than-stellar in-game coach. There's blood in the water, and PSU fans are the sharks darting towards it.
So by now, we all know the book on these teams. Both squads have very stingy defenses. Penn State leads the conference (and the nation) in scoring defense, and Ohio State is second in the conference. The Lions and Buckeyes are also 1-2 in pass defense and rush defense as well.
We're not sure how you feel about the game, but those numbers look like a defensive struggle to us. We're a touch nervous that the Penn State defensive numbers are a little inflated because of the quality of opponents, but if you shut teams down time and time again, it's more than just coincidence. Ohio State has shown its defense its pretty outstanding as well, especially when they gave USC such a hard time. If that's not enough to convince you, they have three shutouts on the season as well.
So the defenses will most likely be the story in this one, but how will the offenses fare against them? This is where we have to give Penn State the advantage. In the end, this game is going to come down to how each quarterback performs, and there's no quarterback in the Big11Ten better than Daryll Clark right now. Clark has been stellar this year, and especially lately. In his last five games, he's thrown nine TDs and just one interception. He's been the catalyst for the Penn State offense, and we hope the coaches open up the playbook and let him go to work on the Buckeyes' secondary in this one.
On the other sideline, you have Terrelle Pryor, who has been mediocre at best this year. We all know he can make plays with his feet, but he looks perplexed in the passing game (a dismal 10th in the conference in yards per game, 11th in completion percentage). And while he has the athleticism to create big plays, often times he will scramble out of trouble only to fire up some awful pass into a safety's waiting arms. In fact, if you were having a fantasy draft for Wounded Duck All-Stars, wouldn't the top three look something like this?
Yes, we're aware that JaMarcus is no longer in college, but man, have you seen him throw a football? He's definitely going Top 3 in that draft.
Being confident going into the Ohio State matchup is not something to which we can usually lay claim, but this year feels a little different. We two teams that seem pretty evenly matched, you have to look at home field advantage and who has the better quarterback. This year, Penn State gets both those check marks pre-game. Now Clark and the rest of the offense just have to go out and perform.
And about that home field advantage. Four years ago, the Penn State student section put Beaver Stadium on the map with its performance during the Ohio State game (and yes, performance is an accurate word for that night). This year, it's been a questionable effort by the student section, but if there's one game they can get pumped up for, it's this one. The Penn State faithful will be out in force tomorrow, in anticipation of the biggest game of the season. And we think the Lions are going to deliver a W for all of them.
Ohio State Player To Watch: QB Terrelle Pryor
It's an easy choice this week, as Pryor's play will likely be the determining factor for the Buckeyes. He has to limit his mistakes for Ohio State to win this one.
Penn State Player To Watch: QB Daryll Clark
It was pointed out earlier in the week that Clark's numbers look a lot worse against top 15 defenses, but what quarterback's numbers don't? Still, it's an interesting point, as Clark's worst game this year came against the best defense the Lions faced. Now Clark looks for redemption in his toughest test of the season. A big game here and you might start to hear some national award talk for DC.
3 Bold Predictions:
- Sean Lee will have 15 tackles.
- Pryor will throw three picks.
- Jim Tressel will look smug and clap his hands often in mock encouragement.
Game Prediction: Penn State 20, Ohio State 13
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