Kickoff is so close you can almost hear the foot hit the ball at 3:30 in Ohio Stadium, when Ohio State plays Penn State on Saturday.
We know you're anxious for the game to start, and maybe even for this mailbag to start, so we won't waste any more of your time. Let's get to your questions.
How about your thoughts/feelings/concerns for the back seven (backers and d-backs)? - Hovenaut
This game could very well come down to linebacker play for Ohio State. We all saw what Oklahoma was able to do against the Buckeyes' second level a little over a month ago, exploiting OSU's aggressiveness and continually hitting them over the middle off the run fake.
The good news for Ohio State is it has had two weeks to prepare and watch not just Penn State film, but probably go back and watch a few cut-ups of the Oklahoma film to correct its mistakes. Since that game, the Buckeyes haven't seen another offense like that, so it was probably good for them to revisit.
My only concern about Ohio State's defensive backfield is the back-shoulder throws. I don't think the Buckeye corners will get beat deep, but the downside to playing so much press-man is you leave yourself vulnerable to the back-shoulder throws and jump balls. You all remember what Simmie Cobbs did in Week 1, right? I expect the Nittany Lions to try and hit a few of those passes in this one, and utilize the size and strength of Mike Gesicki and DaeSean Hamilton.
With the projected weather forecast, is this the week we see a Dobbins/Weber backfield at the same time? - SoulPatrol32
I don't know if Urban Meyer was blowing smoke about this look or not, but if there was a week to bring it out, it would be this one.
I get the feeling though that Kevin Wilson isn't a fan of playing them both at the same time, and Meyer might be listening to him. Wilson has repeatedly said in press availability that he would like to have three running backs available and doesn't like to tire both out at once. That makes me think it's something we might not see at all this year if we don't see it this week.
Tell us about your typical game day. When does your day start, what's for dinner on game days, what's your favorite part and when do you leave the campus? - Seattle Linga
It all depends on the opponent if we are being perfectly honest. When Ohio State played Oklahoma, I was up at 7:30 a.m. to get ready and at College GameDay by 9 a.m. to get sound and social media coverage of the hit ESPN show. From there, it was time to find food and hang out with my dad, who was in town for the game, before heading over to the stadium about three hours prior to kickoff to set up my pregame video with Dan and get my weekly media meal (at Ohio Stadium, it's City Barbecue) in the press box. If they are playing the UNLVs of the world, however, its straight to the stadium about 2.5 hours prior to kick.
I am in charge of the instant recap, so I have that in as soon as the game ends, then head to the postgame interview sessions. On a normal game day, I usually leave the press box about three hours after the game ends, so you might understand why I am opposed to any more night games this season.
I think this is one of the five biggest games of the Urban Meyer era. Where do you rank it? - SFlaBuckeye13
It's hard to put it in the top five, strictly because the final three games of the 2014 season will never be matched in terms of what they meant for Meyer's legacy and the players on that team. Meyer had to juggle not only game planning for all three Heisman finalists, he had to deal with the death of a player in the middle of all that. That three-game stretch will never be matched in school and maybe college football history, so that takes up three spots already.
Those games aside, however, this is absolutely a top-five game for Meyer. If you remove the three game title stretch from 2014, my top-five would be as follows (No. 1 being most important):
- 2014 vs. Michigan State (W, 49-37)
- 2016 vs. Michigan (W, 30-27, 2OT)
- 2016 vs. Clemson (L, 31-0)
- 2015 vs. Michigan State (L, 17-14)
- 2017 vs. Penn State, Oct. 28, 2017
I am hesitant in this, because I feel as though I should have the 2013 Big Ten title game on here as well, but the game tomorrow is essentially a play-in game for this year's Big Ten championship game. If Meyer loses, it will be his third straight season not making the trip to Indianapolis and that would be tough for the Ohio State faithful to handle. That is why I put tomorrow's game ahead of the 2013 loss to Sparty.
Which team has the advantage if it comes down to special teams play? - 1MechEng
Oy. It might not be either.
I won't recount Ohio State's struggles on special teams for you because you are already well aware. However, Penn State isn't exactly off to a great start in the special teams category this season either. The Nittany Lions have had two field goals blocked already this season and kicker Tyler Davis has converted just 6-of-13 field goal attempts. Punter Blake Gillikin has been the bright spot for Penn State, averaging 44.5 yards per boot, second in the Big Ten.
I'm going to give a very slight edge to Ohio State in this one, but only because Meyer has had two weeks to correct the multiple mistakes on special teams, and I have a hard time not going with the guy who has three rings.
How confident are you in the Bucks defending the RPO that McSorley will probably be running a lot? - NHBuckeye
More confident than I was a few weeks ago, mainly because Meyer and Greg Schiano have had time to prepare. In addition, McSorley didn't have a ton of success through the air last year against Ohio State, completing a career-worst eight passes on 23 attempts.
The issue last year was Ohio State's inability to defend the back-shoulder throws and win the 50/50 balls. I think the Buckeyes will slow Penn State's RPO attack, but they must win the matchups on the outside to win this game.
Do you feel that Urban has that 2014 MSU, Wisconsin, Alabama, Oregon confidence going into this 2017 PSU game? - Southalabamabuckeye
I don't know that he is THAT confident, but he definitely seems to have gotten more confident as the week has gone on. That 2014 stretch, he was loose as could be because he knew he was playing with house money. There was no pressure. He was the underdog in every game with a third-string quarterback. Now? There is much more pressure.
The last time Ohio State's offense looked good in a premier matchup was the Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame to cap the 2015 season. Really think about that. Since then, the Buckeyes have looked hapless on offense in big games, especially the last three against Michigan, Clemson and Oklahoma. The pressure is on Meyer's offense to show up on a big stage with a playoff appearance and the Big Ten title on the line. I think Meyer is confident, but not nearly as confident or loose as in 2014.
Will our DL, without LB help, be able to put enough pressure on McSorley to disrupt the Penn State passing game and force mistakes? - AZ Buckeye13
Yes. If there is one weakness Penn State has, it's the offensive line. The Nittany Lions have allowed 18 sacks this season, and that is with a mobile quarterback behind them that can move around and extend plays with his feet.
Ohio State's linebackers need to play assignment football and not get sucked in with run fakes. That is their job this week. The Buckeye's defensive line has enough talent to get pressure on McSorley by itself, but it won't be enough if the linebackers are out of place. Just ask Baker Mayfield.
If you want to make PSU beat you left-handed, what do you try to take away? - Hetuck
Urban Meyer has preaching all week about the aggressiveness of Penn State's defensive line. The Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten in sacks on defense with 24 this season, and it is largely thanks to that aggressive play Meyer has been talking about. So how do you counter that, and make them play less aggressive? Throw screens.
By doing this, you make them think twice about coming off the ball at 100 percent and flying at Barrett. If they continue to over-pursue, you let them rush and get your linemen out in space blocking at the second and third level. You set up a screen to J.K. Dobbins or Parris Campbell and let them play in space with blockers in front. Do that, and that opens up everything else in your playbook, in addition to slowing down Penn State's pass-rush, which we all know demoralized the Buckeyes a season ago.
Does this game setup what we will ultimately think about J.T. Barrett forever? Is this the career-defining game for him? - RunEddieEun1983
Urban Meyer has said that it isn't, but it definitely is a career-defining game for Barrett.
Yes, Barrett had an incredible 2014 season and played a HUGE part in helping the Buckeyes win a national title. However, he didn't play in a postseason game. He hasn't been on the field for a Big Ten title game or a CFP win. His lone postseason win came against Notre Dame in the 2015-16 Fiesta Bowl.
Now look, even if Barrett and the Buckeyes lose this game, he still has a chance to be the first Ohio State quarterback in program history to go 4-0 against Michigan, so this game against Penn State won't be the one game that defines him. It will play a huge part in it, though. Lose this game, Barrett will never play in a Big Ten title game and won't have a chance to lead the Buckeyes to a national title. That is the reality, and that will be a huge part of his legacy as a Buckeye.
I keep telling myself we should cruise, but I did not expect them to beat Michigan that badly. Is this year different? Is PSU that much better than last year? - Avail31678
Yes, Penn State is better than last year, but so is Ohio State.
In no way is this game going to be a cakewalk for either team. It is going to be close. Penn State has perhaps the most talented offense in the country when it comes to personnel, and the Buckeyes have arguably the best defensive line in college football.
It's going to be close all night. Get your brown paper bags ready, and breathe in and out. As Woody Hayes once said, "This game will boil down to three things: The team that hits the hardest and the longest, the team that starts the fastest and the team that is too damn smart to make mistakes."
