On both teams pulling out all the stops against each other with the environment
Get your🍿ready‼️#ScarletTheShoe 🔴 pic.twitter.com/1uIh383tl3
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 27, 2021
BW: Why do you think both teams tend to pull out the stops against each other? OSU has used alternate uniforms a few times against Penn State, and we all know about the white-out conditions that are always expected when the Buckeyes head to Happy Valley. Is it because Penn State sees Ohio State as its main rival in the conference?
McGuire: I can’t necessarily speak to what it is about Penn State that brings out the best Ohio State has to offer other than suggesting the Buckeyes just have the talent to make big pivotal plays when needed. But it’s pretty easy from the Penn State side of things. Simply put, the Buckeyes are the barometer of success in the Big Ten, and they remain the biggest obstacle Penn State (and everyone else) faces in chasing a division title. And there is no question fans feed off of that in Happy Valley, which is why a home game against Ohio State is an absolute blast, especially if both teams are good.
I think you can book it that any time Ohio State visits, it will be a whiteout game (and Michigan is on the home schedule the years Penn State plays at Ohio State, and the Wolverines typically get the same billing).
Penn State fans always have fun picking on Michigan, but I don’t think you will find anyone supporting the Nittany Lions who won’t recognize Ohio State as Penn State’s biggest rival in the conference, whether that feeling is reciprocated or not (I am well aware where Penn State ranks against Michigan).