Saturday Spotlight
(4) Ohio State Buckeyes at (9) Penn State Nittany Lions
Ohio State: Another week, the same result which was another victory and they did so while also getting their head coach back. Urban Meyer made his return on Saturday after serving his three-game suspension. This is one of the better Ohio State teams I’ve seen in recent memory. They score with ease and average close to 55 points per game and they stop people. We saw just how mentally tough they were a few weeks ago when they were on the road against the TCU Horned Frogs. They were trailing and found a way to fight back for the win and did so without the services of Nick Bosa who was injured. I love the motor of Bosa because he never gives up on the play and he makes all the difference up front for that Buckeyes defense. I could rave about Dwayne Haskins all day and watching him play for the first time, I became a fan. He controls the football game, he can make all the throws and he doesn’t force himself to run and get those extra yards. He displays a very poised demeanor for such a young quarterback and you can’t do anything but be impressed. It’s another road game in a wild environment on Saturday night against a team they’ve come to know all too well.
Penn State: They’ve lost some playmakers from their team last season, but are quietly off to a quick 4-0 start. I remember around this time last year, they were steamrolling past a majority of their opponents and the media along with some analysts were saying this was a title contender and a playoff team which wasn’t a stretch because of how they ended the previous season before as champs of the Big Ten East and eventually, they went on to win the Big Ten title game but missed the playoffs. Right now, they are sitting atop the Big Ten East in first place. So you ask: Who are some of these new offensive weapons they have? Well, you should know Trace McSorley by now. I truly feel he’s the x-factor for the Nittany Lions if they want any shot of making the playoffs or advancing further. With Saquon playing for the Giants now, the pressure has been on Trace to make more plays for this football team. I truly feel this team will go as far as he takes them. Their best all-around player has been running back, Miles Sanders. He had the best game of his collegiate career last week against the Fighting Illini as he rushed for 200 yards. Their offense can score and their defense can shut people down. This is a huge game to end the month of September.
Ohio State Player To Watch: Parris Campbell– He’s their most dynamic wide receiver. He can catch screen passes and take it to the house for six, he can go over the middle and make the catch and he can run the wide receiver reverse. He’s also a senior and knows how to handle these big moments.
Penn State Player To Watch: Juwan Johnson– He’s your typical possession receiver. Standing at 6’4, he’s a guy that can stretch the field from a vertical standpoint and he has no issues with going over the middle to make a grab. He can be that mismatch all over the field against the Buckeyes defense.
Final Analysis: We’re in for a treat with this game and if this battle is anything like the other two, we should be in for a good one. Last year’s game was an epic battle that saw Ohio State erase a double-digit lead and win by one. I felt that game would determine who would get to the Big Ten title game and I feel the same about this one as well. Just as he did a few weeks ago, Haskins must keep his composure in another hostile atmosphere. Penn State must limit the duo of Dobbins and Weber to have a shot at winning this game.
Prediction: Ohio State 34 Penn State 27
