Last year, Ohio State struggled to put Penn State away. OSU was the home team and found itself losing 3-0 at halftime. Late into the fourth quarter, OSU held a one-score lead (14-6).
This year, OSU traveled into Happy Valley to face a Penn State team that has been dominate at home. In the five home games leading up the OSU game, PSU had coasted to victories in all five. Two of the blowouts were against quality Big Ten opponents (Iowa 27-7 and Wisconsin (38-7). Again prior to the OSU game, PSU had outscored its opponents at home 200 to 48.
Game time arrived this Saturday and OSU fans were worried after PSU scored on its first possession. On that drive, the Nittany Lions didn’t have any trouble moving down the field. Running back Rodney Kinlaw scored on a 12-yard run.
During Penn State’s first two possessions, Buckeye fans saw their defense allow gaping holes in the running game for the first time this season.
After seeing those gaping holes, I have to admit I got worried.
However, the Buckeyes’ offense allowed me to relax.
After PSU took a 7-3 lead on Kinlaw’s touchdown run, OSU quarterback Todd Boeckman threw a perfect deep ball to receiver Ray Small. The play went for 60 yards and set up a 9-yard touchdown pass from Boeckman to receiver Brian Robiskie.
On the ensuing possession, PSU drove it down to the OSU 38-yard line. A Vernon Gholston sack on third down forced the Nittany Lions to punt.
Pinned back inside their own 10, the Buckeyes drove 91 yards on 15 plays in route to another touchdown. At the end of the drive, OSU faced a third-and-four when the team was called for holding. That set up a tough third-and-14 from the PSU 16-yard line. Boeckman tossed a screen to receiver Brian Hartline, who with offensive tackle Alex Boone leading the way took it in for the touchdown.
At that point, I got the feeling this game was over. OSU cruised the rest of the way to a 37-17 victory over PSU.
Boeckman finished with 253 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 19 of 26 and was intercepted once.
Chris Wells pounded out 133 yards on 25 carries. Maurice Wells added 55 yards on 13 carries.
On defense, linebacker James Laurinaitis struggled. He missed tackles and PSU set up its blocking schemes to take him out of the game.
With PSU concentrating on Laurinaitis, fellow linebacker Marcus Freeman stepped up his play. Freeman finished with 14 total tackles (10 solo and two for loss) and forced a fumble.
OSU had won the time of possession battle - 37:52-to-22:08.
Three (LB Dan Connor, LB Sean Lee, CB Lydell Sargeant) different Nittany Lions finished with over 10 tackles. Conner had 18 and had an interception.
The Buckeyes looked impressive Saturday night, but are they better than the ‘06 team?
There are three more games left, including home games with Wisconsin and Illinois. Then that road game at Michigan to end the season.
Note:
The Wisconsin at Ohio State game will be at noon on the Big Ten Network. Personally, I thought it should be on ABC at 3:30 p.m.
Coming soon: I will preview the Buckeyes basketball season
it is Buckeye Lane’s turn to host the Big Ten Roundtable of Bloggers.
I will post my answers soon, but now here are the questions:
1) With the Big Ten season about to be wrapped up, it is a little easier to predict what Bowl games are possible for your school. Tell me what Bowl games would interest you as a fan. Where do you want to go? More importantly, who do you want to play?
2) In honor of Black Shoe Diaries’ question about the Big Ten Moron Coach of the Year Award. Tell me who is the most disappointing player in the Big Ten this season. Also, tell me who is the most disappointing on your team.
3) Ohio State is rumored to be building a giant buckeye nut outside the football stadium. This will lead to the new tradition of “rubbing the nut.” I’m sure Michigan fans will use that against us. I know it is pretty late to start new traditions in the Big Ten, but pitch me a new tradition idea for your school.
BONUS ROUND
- You are a big-fight promoter - Talk up your team’s mascot and how/why they could kick the living crap out of any opposing team’s mascot - inspired by Oregon’s mascot
- Now you’re an agent - Convince me that you have the top 2008 NFL Draft pick on your team -
Wish I could tell that this will be the last time you hear, see or read this statement, but I have to write it - ‘The last time the Buckeyes lost to a Big Ten opponent was in 2005 against Penn State.’
Get ready to hear that over and over again all day and all night on Saturday. And if Buckeyes happen to lose, get prepared to hear that statement on Sportscenter for at least a week.
But for now, let’s squash it - It isn’t 2005 - both of these teams are different. Penn State is worse and Ohio State is unproven.
One thing that is certain - both these teams are very similar. Especially when you compare statistics -
OSU averages 423.6 yards (225.1 passing and 198.5 rushing) per game while Penn State averages 419.5 (233.3 passing and 186.3 rushing).
Ohio State averages 34.3 points per game and Penn State scores 33.1.
Both teams have two receivers that have just over 30 catches each, running backs Rodney Kinlaw and Chris Wells have identical numbers and both teams have starting quarterbacks with seven interceptions each.
Penn State has a freshman tailback [Evan Royster] that is on the rise and so does OSU [Brandon Saine].
PSU has a great linebacker [Dan Conner] and Ohio State could have the best [James Laurinaitis].
Both teams have great pass rushers and top-ten defenses.
However, the teams do not share the same record.
OSU is 8-0 and PSU is 6-2, but to the Nittany Lions credit the team has been dominating at home.
On the road, PSU is 1-2 with loses coming at Michigan and Illinois (two teams that OSU has not played). In those three games, PSU has been outscored 72 to 65.
In Happy Valley, PSU has outscored its opponents by the score of 200 to 48. In those five games, Penn State coasted to victories - the notables being wins over Iowa (27-7) and Wisconsin (38-7).
That being said, a Buckeyes win at Penn State won’t come easy.
If the Buckeyes win, then there will be three other Big Ten “playoff” games to go before another chance for a national title.
Prediction
Ohio State 21, Penn State 10
Both defenses will make plays, but I believe that OSU has the better one.
We have a surplus of Penn State and Ohio State bloggers in the prestigious group that is the Big Ten Bloggers.
I’m taking the lazy way out and stealing their predictions - please visit their sites to see for in-depth breakdowns of this weekend’s game.
I will post my preview of the game soon.
Black Shoe Diaries a Penn State blog has the Nittany Lions beating the Buckeyes by a score of 13-10. “This game could go either way. Both offenses are going to have trouble moving the ball and scoring points. In a low scoring game it always comes down to field position and turnovers. Ohio State doesn’t have anyone seven inches taller than King to worry about. Boeckman will be frustrated all night and eventually the Penn State pressure will get to him. If they can force some turnovers Penn State will win the game.” - Black Shoe Diaries
“Kevin Kelly will kick a game winning 48 yard field goal.” - Run Up the Score another Penn State blog predicts another PSU victory.
The Nittany Line likes PSU as well, by the score of 14-10. However, if you read the site’s breakdown - you have to think the writer is hoping for a win, but really thinks this is OSU’s game to lose.
Every week this season a fellow Big Ten blogging site will host the Big Ten Bloggers’ roundtable of questions.
This week Black Shoe Diaries, which is a Penn State blog, will be the host of the seventh Big Ten roundtable of the season. Buckeye Lane will play host next week when Wisconsin visits Ohio State (September 29th through the November 3rd).
1) Pretend for a moment you’re the little Japanese guy on Heroes. You can close your eyes, clench your fists, crap your pants and go back in time. If you could go back and change one play for your team this season, what would it be?
WOW! I have never seen the show, but now I want to. Actually on second thought I don’t want to. That sounds like one of those horrible reoccurring dreams I had when I was a child.
Honestly, there isn’t a play I would want go back in time to change. I might want to tell Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman to be careful in that Michigan State game, since the Buckeyes had let the Spartans back in the game. On the other hand, he may have learned something there.
I don’t want to come off as an arrogant Buckeye fan, but like the average football coach Herm Edwards used to say, “you play to win ….
2) We’re now two-thirds of the way through the season. Everyone likes to debate who will be the Big Ten Coach of the Year. I want to know which Big Ten coach is a complete moron that should be demoted back to fullbacks coach on a team that runs the spread offense?
That’s is tough question. Ron Zook could easy be mistaken for an idiot, but his team has overachieved and is 5-3.
The Big Ten Worst Coach of the Year award has to go to Kirk Ferentz
Almost every offseason, ESPN and other national media outlets say that he is one of the best suited coaches to make the jump to the NFL.
Iowa has an overall record of 3-5 and is 1-4 in Big Ten play.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife. But the Bible doesn’t say anything about your rival. Which current Big Ten player do you most wish played for your team?
Maybe it is my morals, but I don’t covet any other Big Ten player. However, I would like the Buckeyes to have Illinois’ wide receiver Arrelious Benn.
It is always nice to have a proven true freshman WR. Through eight games, he has 38 receptions for 459 yards. He also has rushed for 109 yards on 23 carries.
Bonus Question
It’s probably too early to start thinking about next year. Well, unless you’re Minnesota in which case you’ve been thinking about next year for a month or so already. Assess your team’s future. Was this year your chance to make a run or is this just a rebuilding year with greater expectations in 2008? Or do you plan to suck in 2008 just as much as you suck now?
In June I wrote a piece on which 2007-2008 Buckeyes would be drafted in the NFL Draft. Many of the key players are junior on this current roster.
This season was supposed to be a rebuilding year, but right now all of the fans’ hopes are on this season and a possible BCS National Championship.
Granted OSU has a tough stretch the rest of the season, even if OSU loses a couple, I still don’t think I would be able to call ‘07 a rebuilding year.
However, you have to think the Buckeyes will be even stronger next year.
OSU will lose senior offensive tackle Kirk Barton, who will be drafted in the 2008 NFL Draft. I’m worried which juniors will leave - cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, linebacker James Laurinaitis, offensive tackle Alex Boone and defensive end Vernon Gholston will all have tough decisions to make after the Bowl season.
Many Penn State fans consider the 2005 17-10 win over Ohio State the greatest game they have ever been to. The same fans consider it the most intense football game in recent memory.
The Buckeyes got their revenge last year. The final score was really misleading. The Buckeyes struggled to score against Penn State.
The Buckeyes almost blew a comfortable lead against Michigan State this past Saturday.
However, the focus of that win isn’t how OSU held on, but on who the Buckeyes have to beat next.
Ohio State has won 18 straight games against Big Ten opponents. Its last loss coming in 2005 (Oct. 8th) to Penn State. In that game, the Buckeyes lost by a score of 17-10.
One could expect a similar score this upcoming weekend, as the Buckeyes and the Nittany Lions have top-ranked defenses. Ohio State (No. 1) has allowed only 7.9 points per game while Penn State (tied for fourth) has only allowed 15 per game.
While the national media will be focusing on this Saturday night’s football game, the Buckeyes almost didn’t hold up their part of the bargain.
Halfway through the third quarter, quarterback Todd Boeckman tossed a 50-yard touchdown to Brian Robiskie, making the score 24-0.
The Buckeyes, with the game in hand, almost blew their favorable lead.
With 3:52 left in the third quarter, MSU’s Otis Wiley (above - right) picked off a Boeckman pass and raced it 54 yards for a touchdown.
Then after one play and two consecutive penalties, Boeckman fumbled. Spartan Sir Darean Adams picked it up and scored on a 25-yard fumble return, making the score 24-14 with 2:56 left in the third quarter.
Then on the Buckeyes’ next offensive play, running back Chris Wells fumbled. The ball bounced off multiple Spartan defenders until Chris Wells fell on the ball at the Buckeyes’ 14-yard line. If the Spartans’ would have just have fallen on the ball, MSU could have made the score 21-24 with a touchdown.
Michigan State got a 43-yard field goal from Brett Swenson with 3:42 left in the fourth quarter. The Buckeyes were able to run out the clock and hold onto a 24-17 victory.
A banged up Chris Wells had his best performance of his career. He finished with 221 yards on 31 carries and scored a touchdown.
The Buckeyes are hoping that the Rutgers’ upset of No. 2 South Florida, will be only major news this weekend, as they hope to continue to coast through their schedule.
Speaking of upsets, many OSU fans remember the game against Michigan State in 1998. That is when the top-ranked Buckeyes lost 28-24, even though they were favored to beat the Spartans by 26 1/2 points.
I remember that game, remember exactly where I was and how disappointed I was when I found out the Buckeyes were allowing Michigan State back in the game.
For some odd reason, I was at the tennis center waiting for my friend to finish up so we could watch some college football. I didn’t bother to watch the Buckeyes, they weren’t supposed to have any trouble with Michigan State. However, I overheard some of the people at the tennis club talking about the game - so I found a television and watched it - up until that point I had never cussed so much in a public place.
Ohio State drove to the Michigan State 15 in the closing minutes, when Joe Germaine’s pass was intercepted by Renaldo Hill at the goal-line. I can still see the pass, which was terrible, and wide receiver Dee Miller appeared to be wide open.
This weekend, because of prior commitments, I will be in place again that will hinder my ability to see the game. Again, I will be expecting a win. However, if you are a Buckeye fan don’t expect win. Remember ‘98 - while I be trying to think of ‘06, when the Buckeyes rolled 38-7.
The Ohio State Buckeyes begin their first week as the No. 1 team in the nation. ‘Talking Head’ shows like Around the Horn and PTI have already started the debate - does OSU deserves that honor?
Buckeye fans could argue all day that their team deserves to be the No. 1 team in the country, while deep down they have to feel fortunate that all the teams with stronger schedules have lost a game.
No. 4 LSU lost to No. 7 Kentucky, No. 7 Kentucky lost to No. 6 South Carolina, No. 6 South Carolina lost to LSU and so did No. 11 Virginia Tech. No. 5 Oklahoma lost to Colorado. No. 10 Oregon lost to No. 12 California. No. 12 California lost to Oregon State. No. 9 WVU lost to No. 2 South Florida.
That leaves us with five undefeated teams in the top-25 of the BCS standings. No. 1 OSU, No. 2 South Florida, No. 3 Boston College, No. 13 Kansas and No. 18 Hawaii.
Of those five undefeated teams, I would say that only Hawaii has had easier schedule than the No. 1 Bucks. You could argue that the Kansas has had an easier ride than the Bucks, but I’ll give the Jayhawks the nod over the Bucks with their road win over Kansas State.
The Buckeyes toughest games were road contests against Washington (2-4) and Purdue (5-2, but 1-2 in Big Ten). The road win against Purdue looked good at the time, but you have to question it after the Boilermakers’ 21-48 loss to Michigan this weekend.
The combined record through OSU’s first seven games (excluding YSU, which isn’t in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision) is 18-23. It is safe to say, the Buckeyes have coasted to the No. 1 ranking in the nation.
However, that coast is about to get a lot rougher, as OSU enters into the heart of its Big Ten schedule. The remaining games include Michigan State, Wisconsin and Illinois at home. With games against Penn State and Michigan on the road. Those five teams have a combined record of 25-10.
This week, Michigan State is up. The Spartans haven’t beaten anyone good, but have a 5-2 record. They lost to Wisconsin by only 3 (34-37).
Michigan State started the season on a four-game winning streak. Its loss to Wisconsin ended that and the Spartans were still considered a dangerous team in the Big Ten. Then MSU lost to Northwestern, 41-48, and lost its respect.
The Buckeyes have to be looking ahead to the that four-game stretch, will MSU make OSU fall in its trap.
Probably not, but as long as the Bucks win out, then you can’t argue anymore - they will be in the BCS title game and they’ll deserve it.
Rankings in this article were taken from the BCS standings.
After leading the Bowl Championship standings all of 2006, the Buckeyes lead the first BCS rankings of 2007. The rankings were released on Sunday. South Florida was No. 2.
The top teams in the final standings, which is released December 2nd, should play in the BCS national championship game in New Orleans on January 7th.
However, being the top-two teams doesn’t necessarily mean an automatic berth in the title game. For example, last year Florida was ranked second, but the BCS committee could have overruled the rankings and placed the third-ranked Michigan team in the BCS title game.
Ohio State coasted to a 7-0 record this season with what, some SEC fans could argue, is a cupcake schedule. Not one of the Buckeyes’ wins came against a single currently BCS-ranked opponent. Currently, Michigan (No. 25) is the only Big Ten in the top-25 of the BCS standings.
While LSU (6-1, No. 4 in the BCS) has beaten Virginia Tech (BCS No. 11), South Carolina (BCS No. 6) and Florida (No. 15). The Tigers might still deserve to be the No. 1 team, but because of their loss this Saturday to Kentucky (BCS No. 7) poll voters made them No. 5 in the Harris and coaches’ polls.
OSU was voted No. 1 in each of those polls, which make up two of three components the BCS uses in its standing formula.
The other component is a compilation of six computer rankings. The South Florida Bulls (6-0) were ranked No. 1 by the computers and No. 3 by the Harris and coaches’ polls. Boston College (7-0) is No. 2 in the two polls, but No. 7 by the computers. LSU is ranked No. 2 by the computers. OSU is tied for fifth with Arizona State (7-0), which is ranked No. 8 overall in the BCS. The computer ranks (No. 6 in BCS) South Carolina (6-1, No. 6 in the BCS) third and Kentucky (6-1, No. 7 in BCS) fourth.
South Florida’s big wins came at Auburn (No. 17 in BCS) and versus West Virginia (No. 9 in BCS). The Bulls remaining schedule includes road games at Rutgers, UCONN, Syracuse and Pittsburgh. Home games will be against Cincinnati (No. 23 in BCS) and Louisville.
If the Buckeyes and Bulls win out, that should be the match up for the title game. However, like always, people will argue about the scheduling.
Previously, the problem with the BCS was that the computer had to much control. Now it seems like has little effect on the standings, which could become the next issue.
One thing is for certain - there will always be a problem - that is until there is a playoff.
However, the Buckeyes’ offense allowed me to relax.
Wisconsin week - and -
3) Ohio State is rumored to be building a giant buckeye nut outside the football stadium. This will lead to the new tradition of “rubbing the nut.” I’m sure Michigan fans will use that against us. I know it is pretty late to start new traditions in the Big Ten, but pitch me a new tradition idea for your school.
Wish I could tell that this will be the last time you hear, see or read this statement, but I have to write it - ‘The last time the Buckeyes lost to a Big Ten opponent was in 2005 against Penn State.’
However, the teams do not share the same record.
I will post my preview of the game soon.
This week 
However, the focus of that win isn’t how OSU held on, but on who the Buckeyes have to beat next.
Speaking of upsets, many OSU fans remember the game against Michigan State in 1998. That is when the top-ranked Buckeyes lost 28-24, even though they were favored to beat the Spartans by 26 1/2 points.
Buckeye fans could argue all day that their team deserves to be the No. 1 team in the country, while deep down they have to feel fortunate that all the teams with stronger schedules have lost a game. 
Michigan State started the season on a four-game winning streak. Its loss to Wisconsin ended that and the Spartans were still considered a dangerous team in the Big Ten. Then MSU lost to Northwestern, 41-48, and lost its respect.
After leading the Bowl Championship standings all of 2006, the Buckeyes lead the first BCS rankings of 2007. The rankings were released on Sunday. South Florida was No. 2. 
The other component is a compilation of six computer rankings. The South Florida Bulls (6-0) were ranked No. 1 by the computers and No. 3 by the Harris and coaches’ polls. Boston College (7-0) is No. 2 in the two polls, but No. 7 by the computers. LSU is ranked No. 2 by the computers. OSU is tied for fifth with Arizona State (7-0), which is ranked No. 8 overall in the BCS. The computer ranks (No. 6 in BCS) South Carolina (6-1, No. 6 in the BCS) third and Kentucky (6-1, No. 7 in BCS) fourth.