This weekend the Buckeyes take on Penn State in a pivotal rivalry game. Each team comes into this contest off losses and is eager to win for different reasons.
For Penn State, the hope of making the inaugural Big Ten title game remains in their grasp. If they can win this week and beat Wisconsin, they will stamp their ticket to Indianapolis. They head into this contest coming off their first conference loss and are hungry to get back to winning.
On the other sideline stands Ohio State, once a Big Ten power, now reduced to middle of the pack. The Buckeyes look at each week as a learning opportunity and can use this game to send their seniors out with a win in their last home game as well as improve their bowl projection.
This game features tough defenses and solid ground games. In many ways, it will hearken back to the 1970’s where smash mouth football dominated the Big Ten. Whoever can force turnovers and establish big plays on offense should walk out with the win.
So who wins?
At this point, Penn State may have more motivation to win. With a trip to the Big Ten championship game at stake as well as trying to rebuild the program’s reputation, they will come in and throw everything they have at the Buckeyes.
Meanwhile, Ohio State has to show up. Too often this season they begin games with no intensity. They cannot afford to do this against the Nittany Lions. Penn State’s defense is too good and if the Buckeyes fall behind early, they might not be able to catch up.
Ultimately, the game will remain close. Penn State’s defense will be the best Ohio State’s faced all season. Based on the problems the Buckeyes have had at establishing an offensive identity their defense is going to have to play close to flawless to keep them in it. Given all the what if factors it’s hard to see the Buckeyes prevailing.
Photo Joe Robbins/Getty Images
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