Saturday’s matchup between Penn State and Ohio State is a top-10 matchup. We spoke with Patrick Murphy, a 247Sports Buckeyes beat writer, to find out more about the Nittany Lions’ seventh opponent of 2023.
For the first time this season, Penn State is considered an underdog. The No. 7 Nittany Lions travel to encounter No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday, with a noon kickoff set between these Big Ten unbeatens.
Penn State carries an 11-game win streak into Columbus, last suffering a loss in October 2022 (to Ohio State). The Buckeyes own six consecutive victories in this series, and Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin is 1-8 against OSU, making this road trip a true opportunity to pick up a signature win.
The biggest thing I’ve learned is how much this defense has improved. And when I say improved, I mean changed and adjusted to the issues from last season. If you followed the end of 2023 for the Buckeyes, even dating back to that game in State College, the defense gave up far too many big plays and it cost the Scarlet and Gray. The focus this summer was to eliminate that problem.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has adjusted what he has done throughout much of his career to be less aggressive. While he doesn’t like the label of a bend-but-don’t-break defense, that’s kind of what Ohio State has become, putting a shell on the back end and not letting teams get behind that last line. The longest play the Buckeyes have given up this year is 38 yards, as they’ve done a good job of changing to fit what was needed.
Because of the play of the defense, all Ohio State fans have had to learn what it’s like to be a defensive-first team. This goes hand-in-hand with having a first-time starting quarterback and new pieces of the offensive line. The Buckeyes aren’t scoring 40-plus points per game like they have in every other year Ryan Day has been in Columbus. It’s a different approach to winning football games, and so far, it has worked.
LIKE PENN STATE, THE BUCKEYES ARE BREAKING IN A NEW STARTING QB. WHAT IS YOUR EVALUATION OF KYLE MCCORD SO FAR?
McCord has been very solid. He has not yet played to the level of Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields or C.J. Stroud, all of whom were Heisman Trophy finalists, but he has stepped in and played well. At this point in his career, McCord is taking care of the ball and getting it to his talented group of receivers. He doesn’t take many risks, which means sometimes he doesn’t deliver the ball when it needs to be there, but he also has just one interception on the season.
What’s stood out the most about McCord, and something people talked about when discussing the quarterback coming into the season, is his poise. He doesn’t get rattled when things aren’t going the way he expects. When he makes a mistake, he puts it behind him and moves on to the next play. According to those who know him best, including wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., this is the way he’s always been and it’s already helped the Scarlet and Gray in a big game this season.
THE BUCKEYES SEEM TO BE A BIT BANGED UP. WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS TEAM FROM AN INJURY/AVAILABILITY STANDPOINT?
Yes, over the last few weeks, the injury bug has begun to bite Ohio State.
Let’s start with the running backs. TreVeyon Henderson has missed the last two games — despite warming up for both. Miyan Williams was not available last week. Chip Trayanum took a big hit in the first quarter against Purdue last Saturday and had to be helped off the field and did not return.
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka left the game against Maryland two weeks ago with a lower leg injury and did not travel to West Lafayette. Cornerback Denzel Burke left in the second half of last week’s game with an undisclosed injury. It’s unclear if he could have returned if the game were closer or not.
Day doesn’t talk about injuries but did say on Tuesday that he’s “hopeful” at least some of those players will be back this week.
WHAT/WHO ARE OBVIOUS STRENGTHS FOR OHIO STATE IN ANY PHASE OF THE GAME THAT YOU THINK THEY CAN COUNT ON AGAINST PENN STATE?
I think the obvious answer is Marvin Harrison Jr. He tends to show up in these big games and, especially if Emeka Egbuka is out, I think the Buckeyes will try and lean on him to get the offense going. Teams have had some success doubling him this year, but Ohio State has been creative about the way they line up him/the routes he’s run to still get him open. And if he’s in one-on-one coverage, McCord has often looked his way.
Coming off of last year’s performance, it would be hard not to say J.T. Tuimoloau. He hasn’t had the season expected in terms of sacks, but he’s not really a pure pass rusher. As Nittany Lions fans saw in 2022, he can do a little bit of everything defensively and he’s started to heat up the last couple of weeks.
I’ll also say the Buckeye linebackers. They have been criticized some this season as the defense has shifted away from a lot of what made Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers good last year. But in a game where I could see Penn State wanting to get their talented running backs going, these linebackers could be called on to do more of the see ball, get ball type of stuff that worked for them last season.
WHAT/WHO ARE CLEAR CONCERNS FOR OHIO STATE IN ANY PHASE OF THE GAME THAT YOU THINK COULD CREATE A CHALLENGING MATCHUP AGAINST PENN STATE?
The Scarlet and Gray offensive line has been a concern for me, dating back to the preseason. With three new starters, the line has improved with each week, but this will be the biggest test against the Nittany Lions defensive line. The group has been good in pass blocking but hasn’t seen a unit like what’s coming to the Horseshoe. Run blocking has been an issue, especially when it comes to getting to the second level.
If Henderson is out again, the rushing attack doesn’t have the same kind of explosion. Ohio State had its fewest rushing yards in a win (62) two weeks ago against Maryland when TreVeyon Henderson didn’t play. Chip Trayanum and Miyan Williams just couldn’t find space to run the way Henderson has on one or two plays per game, essentially bandaging over the run-blocking issues.
WHAT ARE THE ULTIMATE X-FACTORS FOR OHIO STATE IN THIS MATCHUP, HOW DO YOU SEE THINGS PLAYING OUT ON SATURDAY, AND WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION FOR THE FINAL SCORE?
I think if Ohio State can get a few big plays, particularly early, and continue to hold Penn State without them, making the Nittany Lions drive the field each time they have the ball, that is an advantage for the Buckeyes. Being at home is also a factor, even though this game is kicking off at noon. Day has already asked the crowd to arrive early and be loud.
I think it will be a tight contest between two really good teams. It wouldn’t surprise me if this goes back and forth a little bit throughout, with neither team able to build a substantial lead. I think the Buckeyes make the one play that is able to turn things.
Ohio State 24, Penn State 20
