Penn State-Ohio State Game Preview
No. 8 Penn State travels to Columbus, Ohio to take on No. 2 Ohio State Saturday at noon on FOX. The Nittany Lions are facing their fifth Associated Press Top 25 opponent in their last six games, marking the toughest stretch of Penn State football since the AP Poll began in 1936. Just five points have decided the last three meetings between Penn State and Ohio State.
No. 2 Ohio State holds a 10-0 record (7-0 Big Ten) and owns the second-longest active winning streak in the country with 16-straight victories. Ryan Day is in his inaugural season as head coach and will square off against Penn State for the first time on Saturday. There's no denying the magnitude of this matchup as ESPN, FOX and BTN will all air their premier pregame shows from Columbus starting with ESPN's College GameDay at 9 a.m.
Penn State Spotlight
While there are obviously several key position battles you could talk about, let's focus on Penn State's rushing defense. The Nittany Lions will face arguably their toughest ground test of the season in Ohio State's J.K. Dobbins. The Texas native is fourth nationally in rushing yards (1,289) and fifth in yards per game (128.9), despite having only 42 carries in the second half this season. "J.K. Dobbins, very impressed with him and what he's been able to do this year," head coach James Franklin stated during his weekly press conference.
Penn State's rushing defense ranks first in FBS allowing 2.19 yards per carry. There are several X-factors to focus on come Saturday's game, but if Penn State is able to limit Dobbins and force Ohio State off the field on third down, quarterback Sean Clifford and company will be able to control the pivotal time of possession battle.
Scouting the Buckeyes
Ohio State is led by a plethora of playmakers on both sides of the football. Quarterback Justin Fields has a 41-3 touchdown-to-turnover ratio this season and ranks third in the country in points responsible for with 246. One of his top targets is Chris Olave, who has 33 catches for 454 yards and nine touchdowns. Ohio State leans on J.K. Dobbins for its rushing attack as the junior has accounted for 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns, while averaging 133.3 yards per game.
The Buckeyes are led defensively by Chase Young who's coming off a two-game suspension. Young needs one-half of a quarterback sack to tie Ohio State's single-season school record of 14 sacks. The Maryland native has 15.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and 29 total tackles.
"We've known Chase, know his uncle and known Chase for a long time," James Franklin said on Tuesday. "Obviously, as impressive of a player on tape as anyone in the country. Before the games he missed, people were talking about him for the Heisman and things like that. He jumps off the tape at you."
Ohio State Quick Facts
Head Coach: Ryan Day
Record at Ohio State (1stseason – coached the first three games of the 2018 season): 13-0
vs. Penn State: First Meeting
Game Information
No. 8 Penn State is 2-1 all-time against Ohio State when the Buckeyes are ranked No. 2 in FBS. The game can be found on FOX or the Penn State Sports Network. Check out @PennStateFball on Twitter and Instagram or Penn State Football on Facebook following the game for exclusive interviews and more.
Penn State-Ohio State Game Preview
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