Ohio State has been hitting its stride on offense this season with freshman quarterback CJ Stroud racking up touchdown passes at will and freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson breaking loose for long runs with regular authority. A week after Penn State scored just 10 points in regulation against the Illinois Fighting Illini, it could be a tall order to ask Penn State to match Ohio State point for point.
But if there is one area where Penn State can create an advantage against the Buckeyes, it may have to be with its offense. With quarterback sean Clifford reportedly to be at 100% this weekend, that already gives Penn State’s offense a boost if that projection is accurate. Clifford was limited last week against Illinois, and it showed. But when Clifford is able to play his game, the results are pretty positive, as was the case against Iowa when Clifford was instrumental in building a 17-3 lead before leaving the game with an injury.
And if Ohio Stae does have any area of concern, it could be the defense. As Phil Harrison, editor of Buckeyes Wire, told Nittany Lions Wire this week, the defense is the one area that could still use some improvement.
“I think it’s still the second level of the defense. The defensive line struggled a little at the beginning of the year as well, but it has started to be more disruptive as some of the youth and season vets now begin to come together,” Harrisons explained. “However, the linebackers and secondary are still very, very young and unproven, and while guys like Denzel Burke have flashed and shown how good they can be. [If] OSU runs into a good passing team, I think the defense will have its hands full.”
This is where the importance of having a healthy Clifford getting in rhythm with star receiver Jahan Dotson and his other options like Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith as well as his tight ends is key.
“That being said, if Penn State can utilize Jahon Dotson and mismatches and run him out to find 1:1 matchups and soft spots in the zone when Ohio State plays it, that’s where I see the Nittany Lions being able to get some big plays,” garrison told Nittany Lions Wire. “The running game will have to be there too for that to have enough success to score enough points.”
On the flip side, Penn State’s lack of a running game has been a constant concern all season long. While some of the top teams in the Big Ten have shown a strong ability to run the ball, this has been one of Penn State’s weakest spots. Getting it right against OhioState doesn’t feel likely, so Penn States’s fate will fall on Clifford turning in a career game.
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