Ohio State vs. Penn State Preview
Ohio State Buckeyes 6-4 vs. (#14) Penn State Nittany Lions 8-2
November 19, 2011
3:30 pm - ABC
Ohio Stadium
Columbus, Ohio
The Drama: Slim Chance
With the loss to Purdue, the Buckeyes are going to have to win out, have Illinois defeat Wisconsin this week and hope Penn State loses to Wisconsin next week for OSU to get into the first Big Ten championship game. With the way the team played last week, I have my doubts the Bucks will win either of the last two games.
The Buckeyes will win because: It’s a home game
Since entering the Big Ten in 1993, Penn State has won only once in Columbus. Hopefully that will be enough for the team to get its act together and put a complete game together.
The Buckeyes will lose because: Defense
For all the shortcomings that Ohio State had you could at least count on the defense to be solid but what we have seen in the past two weeks is unacceptable. Granted the defense has been on the field a lot due to the lack of an offense but both Purdue and Indiana are near the bottom of the NCAA in rushing yards and both teams had good days on the ground. With the possible loss of Andrew Sweat (concussion) will certainly make it tougher on the Buckeyes and someone else must step up in order for the Bucks to secure a victory on Saturday.
The Nittany Lion spotlight is on: RB Silas Redd
Redd has 1059 for the season and with the PSU passing game not much better than Ohio State’s, the Lions will run Redd all day to control the clock and keep the scoring low.
“Cooler” Stat of the game (macho stats for the water cooler): Boy’s day out.
I am attending the game in the annual “Quint-Boy’s-go-to-the-game-and-get-in-trouble-with-the-wives” game. The reason for the “get-in-trouble” part is because in the past ten years we have attended the 2008 loss to Penn State, the 2007 loss to Illinois, the 2004 squeaker to Marshall and the 2003 triple overtime to NC State. All that stress can lead any man to drink.
The Bottom line: Win or go home
If the Bucks pull out a victory this week, dreams of the Rose Bowl are still very real. OSU does not control its own destiny but they will have a very good hand on the flop. (A poker reference in a football article? What’s the world coming to?) I’m going with my heart this week and I’ll pick the Bucks. I just hope it doesn’t get broken.
Prediction: OSU 17 – PSU 13
2000-2011 Buckeye50.com, All Rights Reserved
By 'Pia' Pete Quint
TBDBITL 1992-96
Buckeye50.com
