Ohio State’s Joshua Perry has recorded 88 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks. “It’s back to the way it used to be, two of the top teams in college football going at it”, he said. “That might be as big a message as anything”. It’s something that Franklin would like to take back to Penn State now that the effects of the NCAA sanctions gradually are fading, although he admits it could take “a number of years” to happen. But when they finally played their first ranked opponent last week in Michigan State, the results – without rehashing the ugly details – were disastrous.
Advertisement
It wasn’t supposed to be that way for the No. 9 Buckeyes (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten), who play at No. 12 MI today.
But playing spoiler? That’s not a primary motivation. A loss and the victor of Ohio State and MI advances to play Iowa in Lucas Oil Stadium next Saturday.
“Our downhill run game with tempo is something we’re good at, but it’s not something you can do all the time”, he said.
The Spartans have not made these steps effortlessly over the past two months, though.
“You could make an argument (they’re) maybe the top program in the conference right now”, Penn State coach James Franklin said.
IL is looking for a sixth win on the season, which would make them bowl eligible. And linebacker Troy Reeder says the team needs a big victory.
The Spartans have the Playoff in their sights, but they need to take care of business against Penn State first. Penn State needs the game of Saquon Barkley’s life if it wants to win this.
“It’s The Game. This is what you come to Ohio State for, to play in this game”, Boren said. “But you know, for us, I think it’s time that we knock off a power-five (conference) team”.
Michigan State is in control of its own destiny.
Scouting Penn StateThe Nittany Lions fell 28-16 to MI in their home finale last Saturday, as they were done in by repeated red-zone failures and special-teams blunders.
The victor of this game could advance to the Big Ten championship game as the East Division representative if Michigan State were to lose to Penn State later on Saturday. “The Game” this year may finally have an intriguing coaching matchup, but it still comes down to the players on the field.
Meyer said that this rivalry is “the greatest in all of sport”. When he was asked about his role in the game, he said that he felt he should have had more touches, and seemed to blame the loss on the coaching staff. Elliott stated, “I don’t know what they were seeing”.
Advertisement
If your plan is to sit on the couch all day and eat Thanksgiving leftovers, then the chart below will help you find everything you need. The defense, in particular, could be without as many as four opening-day starters, including national defensive-player-of-the-year candidate Carl Nassib. While I wouldn’t be surprised to see a close game, I just don’t think MI has any business being favored.
