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Preview: #11 Penn State (8-1, 4-1) vs. #16 Ohio State (7-2, 3-1)
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Penn State looks to wrap up another victory.
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
What to Know
- WHEN: November 7, 2009
WHERE: Beaver Stadium (109,000 - sold out)
KICKOFF: 3:30 pm EST
TV: ABC, ESPN 2
RADIO: PSU Sports Network (over 60 stations)
WEB STREAM: www.GoPSUSports.com - Series: Series tied 12-12
- Last meeting: Penn State 13, Ohio State 6
(2008) - Last Week: PSU 34, Northwestern 13
Ohio State 45, New Mexico State 0 - Game notes: PSU | Ohio State
- 2009 Penn State preview: Ohio State
- Penn State, the BCS and the big bad Buckeyes
- Penn State 101: "The Fumble" - Part I, Part II
- Big Ten Examiner Round Table
- Ohio State Examiner - Nate Smith
- Weather Forecast
- Twitter
Supplemental Links
- ESPN.com, Adam Rittenberg - Clark, Pryor share spotlight in Happy Valley
- Chicago Tribune - Penn State's Odrick stays in occupied territory
- Philly.com, Mike Kern - Can Penn State fit into the BCS picture?
- ESPN.com, Rece Davis - Championships are won in November
November is a month that Ohio State has traditionally experienced great success. It was in November last year that Penn State's national championship dream spiraled out of control at Iowa. So does this mean Saturday could be a long day for the Nittany Lions, who are putting themselves into position for a second straight BCS berth?
This weekend's nationally televised match-up between Penn State and Ohio State may not be the big hoopla that it was predicted to be before the 2009 season kicked off, but there is still much riding on this weekend's game of Big Ten powers. Iowa continues to lead the way in the conference but the winner of this game could play their way to at least a share of the Big Ten title. A BCS trip is also not out of the question for the winner but the loser will likely be destined for a trip to the Outback Bowl or Capital One Bowl.
Both teams enter this weekend coming off victories. Penn State finally found a rhythm on the road and rallied to a come from behind victory at Northwestern. Northwestern was the first team to take a lead into halftime against Penn State since USC blitzed by Penn State in the first half of the Rose Bowl. Ohio State picked up their third shut-out victory of the season last week with an out-of-conference home game against New Mexico State. After a shocking loss at Purdue three weeks ago the Buckeyes have outscored their opponents 83-7. That scoring pace should be slowed down a bit this week as Penn State is allowing fewer than ten points a game to their opposition this season.
The storylines leading into this game are terrific as well.
Last year Penn State picked up their first win in Ohio Stadium since before the Philadelphia Phillies won their first World Series championship. The key play, and the turning point of the game, was a fumble by then-freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor. After Mark Rubin jarred the ball loose from Pryor Penn State recovered the football and used a methodic drive lead by back-up quarterback Pat Devlin to score a touchdown to take the lead. Now Pryor returns to his home state of Pennsylvania for the first time with the hated Buckeyes.
During his recruiting process Pryor made stops to check out Penn State but ultimately decided on Ohio State. Infamous remarks by Pryor that said that Penn State was "too country" for his liking have not been forgotten by the Penn State faithful. Pryor also chose Ohio State to better prepare himself for the NFL, even though the track record for Ohio State quarterbacks in the NFL is not one filled with
Pro Bowlers by any stretch of the imagination. Pryor knows that playing in Beaver Stadium will be one of his biggest challenges of his young career.
A quick look at the injury report for Penn State shows no major changes, except for running back Stephfon Green. After being listed as probable the past few weeks (he did not make the trip to Michigan and did not play against Northwestern) Green is now listed as "possible". He may be a game time decision but he is currently not listed as the primary back-up for Evan Royster.
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Quarterbacks looking for a statement
The Ohio State offense has revolved around Pryor, who leads the team in passing and rushing yards. Offenses with one focal figure have not fared well against Penn State, although Northwestern's Mike Kafka showed that it is possible to cause problems for this Penn State defense. Playing at home though should help out the defense in cutting down on golden opportunities for Pryor to make some big plays.
As much as Pryor could use a big game for his young reputation, his counterpart behind center may need it more. Fifth year senior Daryll Clark is poised to make a statement of his own.
Clark is quietly, on a national scale, having a fantastic season. He is closing in on the Penn State season records for most touchdown passes and passing yards and has twice been named the Big Ten offensive player of the week. For as much success as Clark has been having in 2009, he is lacking a signature win on a national stage. He has lost twice to Iowa in important games and was knocked out of last year's high-profile game in Columbus. As a native of Youngstown, Ohio, Clark is sure to want this game to go in the books as a win under his name. Should Clark lead his team to a victory and throw for a couple touchdowns then he should start making some short lists for a number of prestigious individual awards.
Three Keys
- Smart quarterback play. It seems so cliché, but it is true. Pryor has shown some desire to make some big plays this season and from time to time it has backfired on him. He can have a field day against teams of a lesser caliber such as Toledo and New Mexico State, but he has struggled against teams like USC and Purdue, which leaves many Buckeye fans scratching their heads...or making YouTube videos in disgust. Penn State's Clark has now gone three games without throwing an interception.
- Defense, defense, defense. Both defenses are nearly identical when you look at the numbers. So the key will be which defense can set the tempo early. If you remember the Iowa game earlier this season, Penn State jumped out to a 10-0 lead, but Iowa found a way to swing the momentum back in their direction and it was triggered by the defense.
- Special teams concerns. Penn State's special teams has had their problems this season. Kick coverage has been shaky at best, as well as punt coverage and protection. Field goal kicker Collin Wagner has missed a couple field goals but believe it or not Ohio State may be in worse shape this weekend. Ohio State's starting kicker Aaron Pettrey underwent surgery this week that will end his season. The Buckeyes will be forced to go with Devin Barclay as their place kicker. Barclay hit one of three field goals last week and is a former professional soccer player, but he is about to play in the toughest environment he has faced yet - 110,000 fans at Beaver Stadium
Pryor wants a souvenir
Yes, of course Pryor would like to leave Happy Valley with a victory, but he also has stated that he would like to get his hands on the white out shirt that the Penn State students will be wearing that has received some controversy leading up to the game. And we are not talking about the "official" white out shirt that FOX News stated had a cross on it.
The white out shirt for the student section this week depicts an image of Pryor being consoled by a compassionate Nittany Lion. The design is shown on the right (source: The Penn State Daly Collegian) Once Pryor learned of the shirt he announced that he wanted to get a hold of one.
"I'd like to get a few (T-shirts) before the game," Pryor said. "I'd like to wear one in warm-ups. I guess they're trying to get in my head.
"I'm glad I found out before the game. I can't let anything get to me."
Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, via The Pittsburgh Tribune
Getting one of these shirts may be more difficult now though. After students and alumni complained that the t-shirt does not reflect the values of Penn State, the Penn State Marketing Committee canceled all sales of the shirt.
Penn State enters this game ranked #11 in the BCS rankings. Ohio State is ranked at #16 in the BCS.
Video Preview and Prediction
Television Coverage
The game will be broadcast on the ABC/ESPN networks. Regions shaded in yellow will receive the game on ABC. For the regions shaded in green will have the game aired on ESPN 2.
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