Ohio State at Penn State
* Date, Time: Sat., Oct. 27, 5:30 p.m. (Eastern)
* Location: Beaver Stadium; University Park, Pa.
* TV: ESPN (national telecast; announcers, Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman and Quint Kessenich)
* 2012 Records: Ohio State, 8-0 overall, 4-0 Big Ten; Penn State, 5-2 overall, 3-0 Big Ten.
* 2012 Rankings: Ohio State, ninth in Associated Press poll; Penn State, unranked.
* Coaches: Ohio State, Urban Meyer (first year at OSU, 8-0; 11th year overall, 112-23; vs. Penn State, 1-0); Penn State, Bill O’Brien (first year at PSU, 5-2; vs. OSU, first meeting).
* Series History: Ohio State leads the all-time series with Penn State 14-13. That includes a 12-7 edge in Big Ten games played since Penn State joined the conference in 1993. The series is tied at 5-5 in games at University Park, Pa.
OSU has won four of the last six meetings with home losses to Penn State in 2008 and 2011 in that stretch. In 2010, OSU took a 38-14 win in Columbus. OSU rallied from down 14-3 at halftime behind a pair of interception returns for touchdowns by Devon Torrence and Travis Howard off PSU QB Matt McGloin. Ohio State RB Boom Herron ran for 190 yards and one touchdown in that win, while Terrelle Pryor had a pair of TD passes in that win.
Last year, McGloin and Penn State returned to Columbus and exacted revenge with a 20-14 win. That was PSU’s first game after the firing of Joe Paterno and clinched PSU a share of the Leaders Division title. Penn State RB Stephfon Green ran for two touchdowns, while OSU QB Braxton Miller rushed for 105 yards and a score.
For a full look at the Ohio State-Penn State series, click here.
* Penn State Schedule: Sept. 1, Ohio, L 24-14; Sept. 8, at Virginia, L 17-16; Sept. 15, Navy, W 34-7; Sept. 22, Temple, W 24-13; Sept. 29, at Illinois, W 35-7; Oct. 6, Northwestern, W 39-28; Oct. 20, at Iowa, W 38-14; Oct. 27, Ohio State, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN); Nov. 3, at Purdue; Nov. 10, at Nebraska; Nov. 17, Indiana; Nov. 24, Wisconsin.
* Penn State Key Players (2012 Stats): QB Matt McGloin (162 of 259 passing, 1,788 yards, 14 TDs, 2 INTs), RB Zack Zwinak (84 carries, 369 yards, 3 TDs), RB Bill Belton (49 carries, 233 yards, 3 TDs), FB Mike Zordich (48 carries, 191 yards, 1 TD), WR Allen Robinson (47 catches, 563 yards, 8 TDs), TE Kyle Carter (29 catches, 364 yards, 1 TD), WR Brandon Moseby-Felder (15 catches, 163 yards), LB Michael Mauti (65 tackles, 3-1/2 TFLs, 2-1/2 sacks, 3 INTs), LB Gerald Hodges (54 tackles, 2-1/2 TFLs), MLB Glenn Carson (42 tackles, 2-1/2 TFLs, 1 sack), DT Jordan Hill (37 tackles, 2-1/2 sacks, 4-1/2 TFLs, 1 INT), CB Stephon Morris (29 tackles, 2-1/2 TFLs), DE Deion Barnes (15 tackles, 4 sacks, 5 TFLs).
* Penn State Fast Facts: Location: University Park, Pa.; Enrollment, 44,112; Conference: Big Ten Conference; Nickname, Nittany Lions; Colors, Blue and White; Stadium, Beaver Stadium (surface, grass; capacity, 107,282).
* Ohio State Schedule: Sept. 1, Miami (Ohio), W 56-10; Sept. 8, Central Florida, W 31-16; Sept. 15, California, W 35-28; Sept. 22, UAB, W 29-15; Sept. 29, at Michigan State, W 17-16; Oct. 6, Nebraska, W 63-38; Oct. 13, at Indiana, W 52-49; Oct. 20, Purdue, W 29-22 (OT); Oct. 27, at Penn State, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN); Nov. 3, Illinois; Nov. 17, at Wisconsin; Nov. 24, Michigan, noon (ABC).
* Ohio State Key Players (2012 Stats): QB Braxton Miller (105 of 179 passing, 1,384 yards, 11 TDs, 5 INTs; 141 carries, 959 yards, 10 TDs), RB Carlos Hyde (104 carries, 545 yards, 9 TDs), RB Jordan Hall (40 carries, 218 yards, 1 TD), RB Rod Smith (22 carries, 131 yards, 2 TDs), WR Jake Stoneburner (12 catches, 150 yards, 3 TDs), WR Philly Brown (44 catches, 447 yards, 1 TD), WR Devin Smith (23 catches, 505 yards, 6 TDs), DB Christian Bryant (51 tackles, 1 INT), LB Etienne Sabino (37 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT), LB Ryan Shazier (76 tackles, 7-1/2 TFLs, 2 sacks), DE John Simon (35 tackles, 8-1/2 TFLs, 3 sacks), CB Bradley Roby (38 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs), CB Travis Howard (28 tackles, 3 INTs), DT Johnathan Hankins (41 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack).
Depth Charts
Ohio State Offense
LT 74 Jack Mewhort 6-6, 312, Jr.
76 Darryl Baldwin 6-5, 300, So.
LG 78 Andrew Norwell 6-6, 310, Jr.
73 Antonio Underwood 6-2, 306, So.
C 71 Corey Linsley 6-3, 295, Jr.
50 Jacoby Boren 6-2, 287, Fr.
RG 79 Marcus Hall 6-5, 315, Jr.
57 Chase Farris 6-4, 290, R-Fr.
RT 77 Reid Fragel 6-8, 310, Sr.
68 Taylor Decker 6-7, 313, Fr.
TE 86 Jeff Heuerman, 6-5, 250, So.
Or 81 Nick Vannett 6-6, 255, R-Fr.
WR (H) 11 Jake Stoneburner 6-5, 245, Sr.
80 Chris Fields 6-0, 197, Jr.
QB 5 Braxton Miller 6-2, 220, So.
13 Kenny Guiton 6-3, 210, Jr.
RB 34 Carlos Hyde, 6-0, 232, Jr.
Or 7 Jordan Hall, 5-9, 194, Sr.
2 Rod Smith, 6-3, 228, So.
WR (X) 15 Devin Smith 6-1, 200, So.
83 Michael Thomas 6-2, 198, Fr.
WR (Z) 10 Corey Brown 6-0, 187, Jr.
16 Evan Spencer 6-2, 205, So.
K 24 Drew Basil 6-1, 210, Jr.
39 Kyle Clinton 6-1, 215 So.
Ohio State Defense
LEO 54 John Simon 6-2, 263, Sr.
88 Steve Miller 6-3, 255, So.
Or 8 Noah Spence 6-3, 240, Fr.
DT 52 Johnathan Hankins 6-3, 322, Jr.
92 Adolphus Washington 6-3, 289, Fr.
Or 90 Tommy Schutt 6-2, 295, Fr.
NT 53 Garrett Goebel 6-4, 290, Sr.
51 Joel Hale 6-4, 295, So.
DE 43 Nathan Williams, 6-3, 249, Sr.
50 J.T. Moore 6-3, 260, So.
63 Michael Bennett 6-3, 285, So.
OLB 10 Ryan Shazier 6-2, 230, So.
36 Conner Crowell 6-1, 235, R-Fr.
5 Camren Williams, 6-2, 225, Fr.
MLB 32 Storm Klein, 6-2, 242, Sr.
Or 44 Zach Boren, 6-1, 245, Sr.
14 Curtis Grant 6-3, 235, So.
OLB 37 Joshua Perry 6-4, 238, Fr.
25 David Perkins 6-2, 220, Fr.
CB 1 Bradley Roby 5-11, 190, So.
12 Doran Grant 5-11, 188, So.
SAF 2 Christian Bryant 5-10, 192, Jr.
19 Orhian Johnson 6-3, 210, Sr.
SAF 4 C.J. Barnett 6-1, 202, Jr.
3 Corey Brown 6-1, 198, Jr.
CB 7 Travis Howard 6-1, 200, Sr.
9 Adam Griffi n 5-8, 180, So.
P 17 Ben Buchanan 5-11, 192, Sr.
24 Drew Basil 6-1, 210, Jr.
LS 41 Bryce Haynes 6-4, 220, R-Fr.
or 56 George Makridis 6-2, 230, Jr.
Penn State Offense
LT 76 Donovan Smith (6-5, 316, So/Fr)
70 Nate Cadogan (6-5, 293, Sr/Jr)
LG 65 Miles Dieffenbach (6-3, 300, Jr/So)
60 Ty Howle (6-0, 298, Gr/Jr)
66 Angelo Mangiro (6-3, 291, So/Fr)
56 Anthony Alosi (6-4, 287, So/Fr)
C 54 Matt Stankiewitch (6-3, 301, Sr/Sr)*
62 Frank Figueroa (6-3, 208, Sr/Jr)
55 Wendy Laurent (6-2, 278, Fr/Fr)
RG 64 John Urschel (6-3, 307, Gr/Jr)
75 Eric Shrive (6-6, 305, Sr/Jr)
RT 78 Mike Farrell (6-6, 306, Sr/Sr)*
58 Adam Gress (6-6, 311, Sr/Jr)
75 Eric Shrive (6-6, 305, Sr/Jr)
QB 11 Matt McGloin (6-1, 201, Gr/Sr)*
12 Steven Bench (6-2, 204, Fr/Fr)
2 Shane McGregor (6-1, 211, Sr/Sr)
RB 1 Bill Belton (5-10, 202, So/So)
28 Zach Zwinak (6-1, 232, Jr/So)
24 Derek Day (5-9, 193, Sr/Sr)
26 Curtis Dukes (6-1, 245, Sr/Jr)
22 Akeel Lynch (6-0, 209, Fr/Fr)
FB 9 Michael Zordich (6-1, 236, Gr/Sr)*
35 Pat Zerbe (6-1, 236, Sr/Jr)
TE – Y 89 Garry Gilliam (6-6, 262, Sr/Jr)
18 Jesse James (6-7, 264, Fr/Fr)
84 Matt Lehman (6-6, 258, Sr/Jr)
TE – F 87 Kyle Carter (6-3, 247, So/Fr)
82 Brian Irvin (6-3, 242, Sr/Sr)
83 Brent Wilkerson (6-3, 239, Fr/Fr)
84 Matt Lehman (6-6, 258, Sr/Jr)
WR 8 Allen Robinson (6-3, 201, So/So)
80 Matt Zanellato (6-3, 198, So/Fr)
7 Eugene Lewis (6-1, 199, Fr/Fr)
WR 85 Brandon Moseby-Felder (6-2, 195, Sr/Jr)
21 Trevor Williams (6-1, 186, Fr/Fr)
17 Christian Kuntz (6-4, 218, Sr/Jr)
WR 15 Alex Kenney (6-0, 192, Jr/So)
37 Evan Lewis (5-10, 174, Gr/Sr)*
20 Malik Golden (6-1, 182, Fr/Fr) OR
88 Jonathan Warner (6-1, 198, Fr/Fr)
K 45 Alex Butterworth (5-10, 206, Jr/Jr)
Penn State Defense
DE 18 Deion Barnes (6-4, 246, So/Fr)
59 Pete Massaro (6-4, 256, Gr/Sr)
98 Anthony Zettel (6-5, 253, So/Fr)
DT 91 DaQuan Jones (6-3, 324, Jr/Jr)
93 James Terry (6-3, 316, Gr/Sr)*
99 Austin Johnson (6-4, 297, Fr/Fr)
DT 47 Jordan Hill (6-1, 292, Sr/Sr)
84 Kyle Baublitz (6-5, 287, Jr/So)
DE 90 Sean Stanley (6-1, 243, Sr/Sr)
86 C.J. Olaniyan (6-3, 248, Jr/So)
31 Brad Bars (6-3, 254, Jr/So)
OLB 42 Michael Mauti (6-2, 232, Gr/Sr)*
38 Ben Kline (6-2, 224, So/Fr)
MLB 40 Glenn Carson (6-3, 235, Jr/Jr)
33 Michael Yancich (6-2, 233, Gr/Sr)
OLB 6 Gerald Hodges (6-2, 237,Sr/Sr)
43 Mike Hull (6-0, 228, Jr/So)
CB 4 Adrian Amos (6-0, 205, So/So)
39 Jesse Della Valle (6-1, 190, Jr/So)
14 Jordan Lucas (6-0, 188, Fr/Fr)
FS 10 Malcolm Willis (5-11, 209,Sr/Jr)
23 Ryan Keiser (6-1, 200, Jr/So)
SS 7 Stephen Obeng-Agyapong (5-10, 207, Sr/Jr)
27 Jake Fagnano (6-0, 206, Sr/Sr)
CB 12 Stephon Morris (5-8, 186, Sr/Sr)
3 Da’Quan Davis (5-10, 161, Fr/Fr)
P 45 Alex Butterworth (5-10, 206, Jr/Jr)
Also Notable
* Both Ohio State and Penn State are dealing with NCAA sanctions, including a postseason ban that makes them both ineligible for the Big Ten championship game. But if one of these schools ends up with the best conference record in the Leaders Division, they will be eligible for the division championship.
The winner of this game will take sole possession of the Leaders Division lead heading into the final month of the season.
* The Buckeyes are one of 11 unbeaten teams nationally. Ohio State is the nation’s only 8-0 team, however.
* The Buckeyes will be shooting to reach 9-0 to start a season for the 12th time in school history and third time in seven years, dating to 2006. OSU has reached at least 9-0 on 11 occasions: 1954 (started 9-0), 1968 (started 9-0), 1970 (started 9-0), 1973 (started 9-0), 1975 (started 11-0), 1979 (started 11-0), 1995 (started 11-0), 1996 (started 10-0), 2002 (finished 14-0), 2006 (started 12-0) and 2007 (started 10-0).
This is the fourth team Meyer has led to a 8-0 start in his 11th year as a head coach. Only two first-year OSU coaches have started 8-0. Carroll Widdoes was 9-0 in 1944 and eventually won his first 12 games before a loss. Earle Bruce posted an 11-0 record to open the 1979 before a Rose Bowl loss to USC.
* Meyer’s teams are 69-14 when ranked.
* Meyer coached against Penn State once previously and it came in his final game as the Florida coach at the 2011 Outback Bowl. Florida won the game 37-24. Penn State QB Matt McGloin was 17 of 41 passing for 211 yards with a touchdown and five interceptions in that game.
* OSU is 30 of 34 this season on scoring chances in the red zone. That includes 27 touchdowns and three field goals.
* Braxton Miller has eight career 100-yard rushing games, including seven this year. Carlos Hyde has four in his career, including two this year.
* The Buckeyes have had 24 70-yard drives this season – 15 more than the nine they had all last season.
* Penn State is encouraging fans to White-Out Beaver Stadium on Saturday. There will also be a Rally in the Valley pep rally Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Rec Hall on the PSU campus.
* Three Penn State players are from Ohio.
Senior running back Michael Zordich helped Youngstown Mooney High School to the 2006 Division IV State Championship. Zordich and OSU’s John Simon were teammates together at Mooney.
Two other Nittany Lions hail from Ohio, as junior OL Nate Cadogan went to Portsmouth High School and
freshman OL Anthony Stanko went to Howland High School in Warren.
* Four Buckeyes are from Pennsylvania. They include DB Corey “Pittsburgh” Brown (Monroeville Gateway), WR Corey “Philly” Brown (Springfield O’Hara), RB Jordan Hall (Jeannette) and DE Noah Spence (Harrisburg McDevitt).
* Penn State defeated Iowa 38-14 last week under the lights of Kinnick Stadium and will host Ohio
State on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Penn State is playing back-to-back night games for the first time since hosting Rutgers and visiting Maryland in consecutive games in 1993.
Breaking It Down
* When Ohio State Has The Ball: It should be strength on strength as the Ohio State offense goes up against the Penn State defense. OSU’s offense is second in the Big Ten in scoring (39.0 ppg) and third in total offense (438.6 ypg). PSU’s defense is second in the Big Ten in scoring (15.7 ppg) and fourth in yards allowed (322.7 ypg).
QB Braxton Miller was knocked out of the Purdue game with a sore neck. He and Urban Meyer say he is fine and ready to go. He better be because Penn State boasts not one but two Butkus Award semifinalists at linebacker in Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges. They don’t let a whole lot get by them.
OSU’s offense has been rolling pretty well, though. If Miller can pinpoint Philly Brown and/or Devin Smith for some big pass plays early (and PSU is just middle-of-the-road against the pass), it may help open up some running lanes for himself and RB Carlos Hyde. The Nittany Lions are second in the Big Ten in sacks at nearly three a game, so the OSU offensive line will need to be on its toes.
* When Penn State Has The Ball: Bill O’Brien has installed an up-tempo spread offense. And, after some early season hiccups in the losses to Ohio and Virginia, Penn State has picked up on it nicely. QB Matt McGloin is the trigger man and he’s really come on. He leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game (255.4 ypg) and has 14 touchdowns against just two interceptions.
The Nittany Lions were stung hard by transfers after the NCAA sanctions were announced, losing RB Silas Redd and WR Justin Brown in particular. But some new playmakers have emerged. Penn State, like Ohio State, wants to run power football out of the spread. RBs Bill Belton (recovering from injury) and Zach Zwinak have done some nice things. At receiver, Allen Robinson and Brandon Moseby-Felder have emerged. The O’Brien offense loves the high percentage passes using the tight ends as targets. That’s where freshmen like Kyle Carter and Jesse James have stepped up.
The OSU defense has taken some hits this year. The Buckeyes have given up, on average, five big plays (in excess of 20 yards) in every game. But OSU is also second in the Big Ten – to Penn State – in red zone defense.
The Buckeyes need to get back to pressuring the quarterback, something that won’t be easy. Penn State is second in the Big Ten in sacks allowed (just 1.1 per game). DE Nathan Williams helped provide some heat last week, but OSU has gone through two full games without a sack.
* How It Will Go: This is going to be a physical football game, but I think there will still be some big plays. I just wonder if we might see another back-and-forth type game where the lead changes several times.
Ohio State has a couple of edges, though. The Buckeyes have Miller, who should be the best player on the field. OSU also has a decided edge in the special teams with its returners as well as kicker Drew Basil. PSU kicker Sam Ficken has struggled, hitting just 4 of 11 field goal attempts.
Yes, Penn State is the home team. But that has not fazed OSU, which has won three of its last four visits to Happy Valley. We know it will be raucous once again as the PSU faithful celebrate their upstart team, which is on a five-game winning streak.
In the end, though, I think Miller and the Buckeyes will slide by (again) and pull out a huge win. I’ve got it Ohio State 31-27
* For The Record: I am 8-0 straight-up and 3-5 against-the-spread with Ohio State. (The Ohio State-Penn State game is listed as a pick’em.)
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