Ohio State is set to host Penn State in the biggest game of the college football season to date. Let’s evaluate the current state of Buckeye football.

Dear fellow Buckeyes,

The Ohio State football team passed its test in West Lafayette, historically a tough place to play for the Scarlet and Gray. Ohio State beat Purdue 41-7 behind another stellar defensive performance and a great showing from the offense. This was the type of game needed before heading home to host Penn State in The Shoe next Saturday. 

All eyes will be on Columbus on Saturday. ESPN College Gameday and FOX Big Noon Kickoff will be in town broadcasting live from campus. Kickoff will be at Noon ET on FOX. 

Let’s evaluate where the Buckeyes are as a team ahead of its showdown with the Nittany Lions. 

1. Running Game 

Opportunities come as they are seized. The Ohio State running game was outstanding, using gap schemes to be potent on the ground. The offensive line was better on Saturday with Dallas Hayden, who saw action following an injury to Chip Trayanum. Starters TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams also missed the contest due to injuries. 

Ohio State has one of the deepest running back rooms in the nation, so let’s break it down. TreVeyon Henderson and Dallan Hayden are opportunistic running backs, which makes them the more effective runners in this year’s system. In contrast, Miyan Williams and Chip Trayanum are more patient downhill runners who are better in power schemes. All four RBs are very good and give the Buckeyes versatility at the position, which is a tremendous asset. 

To succeed against the Penn State front seven, Ohio State must utilize TreVeyon Henderson and Dallan Hayden in gap schemes rather than Miyan Williams and Chip Trayanum in power concepts. There needs to be a mix, but this OL performs better running Gap, and that’s how the Buckeyes are at their best. 

2. Creativity on Offense 

Ryan Day trotted out backup quarterback Devin Brown in the first half for a special red zone package to provide a spark. Besides his fumble across the goal line, Brown did just that and was effective. Adding this wrinkle is good for two reasons for Ohio State.

1. Penn State must now prepare for it because it’s on film.

2. It was a creative package that gave a spark to the running game while maintaining the integrity of a threat through the air. 

Emeka Egbuka did not play due to a lower-body injury, which allowed youngsters Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss to see the field. Both explosive playmakers are next up in Brian Hartline’s WR room. Tate’s skill set will be an asset against an aggressive Penn State defense, whether on the field as a wrinkle or starting for Egbuka again. 

3. Compliments to Jim Knowles 

Through six games, Ohio State’s defense has allowed 58 total points. Jim Knowles is legit, and the defense is still a top strength of the 2023 Buckeyes. The Silver Bullets aced its first test in South Bend. Now, it faced another against Drew Allan and Penn State. Look for Knowles to continue to bring pressure with four or five as he’s done all season, and then mix in an extra man or two to get to Allar. 

The Nittany Lions have a stout offensive line yet struggle to push the ball down the field in chunk yardage plays. That’s a recipe to get pressure and disrupt Allar. However, the aggressiveness is also contingent on the health of Denzel Burke, who left the game against Purdue with an undisclosed injury. 

A major key matchup in the upcoming ball game will be the linebackers in run stopping defense. Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers need to be stout and force Drew Allar to go over the top with the football.

4. Big Ten East War 

This matchup between Ohio State and Penn State is the first of three round-robin affairs between the two schools and Michigan. The Nittany Lions and Wolverines meet on November 11 in Happy Valley, while the Buckeyes travel to Ann Arbor for The Game on November 26. 

Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State all rank within the National Top 7 and boast the country’s top three-scoring defenses. Each showdown will be a war highlighted by the defenses. It will likely come down to quarterback play and the turnover battle. Additionally, the home team will have an advantage due to the crowd noise in each stadium, as all three Big Ten schools have capacities of over 102,000 fans.

Stay tuned for my game preview on Thursday, where I’ll share my keys to the game and official score prediction.