Penn State is ranked No. 2 in the country for a reason.
Across the board, the Nittany Lions are stacked with experienced playmakers on offense and a defense that leads the Big Ten in scoring, allowing less than 10 points per game.
Speaking at his usual Monday morning press conference, Urban Meyer said he watched Penn State's 42-13 win from home and was impressed with Penn State's personnel, specifically running back Saquon Barkley.
"He's the best all-purpose guy we've probably faced in probably, maybe my career. He's obviously a great running back. But they do a good job using him and creating matchup issues," Meyer said. "I'd be careful to say this, but he's as good an all-purpose running back as we've seen. And that's 30 years."
Meyer and the Buckeyes have already faced Barkley twice, and both times the Penn State running back has had success. In 2015, Barkley rushed for 194 yards on 26 carries in a 38-10 loss to Ohio State. He rushed 12 times for 99 yards in a 24-21 win over OSU a season ago.
It isn't just Barkley that makes Penn State's offense a threat to Ohio State's playoff hopes. Quarterback Trace McSorley has accounted for 21 touchdowns this season and is a dual-threat built in a similar mold to Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield, who torched the Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium just more than a month ago.
"I'd be careful to say this, but (Saquon Barkley) is as good an all-purpose running back as we've seen. And that's 30 years."– Urban Meyer
With Penn State's run-pass option offensive attack, Meyer said it is McSorley that makes the Nittany Lions effective.
"The quarterback has to be a very good decision-maker, yet he's got to have very good players. This is one of the top offenses in America," Meyer said. "What makes it so good is, first of all, you can run that offense with bad players. So very good players and a very good scheme that puts the defense in a lot of stress."
While Penn State's offense is averaging just more than 40 points per contest, the Nittany Lions defense has perhaps been even better. Led by an all-senior secondary, Penn State is allowing just 9.6 points per game and has yet to surrender more than 19 points in a single game this season.
The Nittany Lions' defense features not only one of the best secondaries in the country but also one of the best front sevens in the nation. Meyer said he has been particularly impressed with Penn State's aggressiveness on the defensive front.
"They just come after you. They're very aggressive with their defensive line, it's not a read-and-react; they're up the field," Meyer said. "And they menaced (Michigan). They were all over the place."
Add in senior linebacker Jason Cabinda, who leads the Nittany Lions in tackles, and Meyer said the Penn State front seven is one of the first things that stood out to him about Ohio State's upcoming opponent.
"The combination of him and that defensive line, like any very good team, that's what you notice right away, is the explosiveness of the defensive line and a guy like No. 40, great player," he added.
In addition to sharing his impressions with Penn State's offense, Meyer provided an update on a number of his own players who suffered injuries against Nebraska on Oct. 7. Defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes, wide receiver Parris Campbell and offensive lineman Jamarco Jones are all expected to play against the Nittany Lions, while Mike Weber is currently practicing with a brace on his wrist.
