Ohio State goes on the road to Penn State this weekend, where the Buckeyes will face a raucous whiteout crowd in primetime against a top-10 opponent.
The past few meetings have been crazy, with three of the past four decided by seven points or less, and the past two seasons the winning team trailed by two scores entering the fourth quarter.
It's a big matchup for both teams with a lot on the line, and Penn State head coach James Franklin took to the podium to preview the heavyweight matchup. Here are the Buckeye-pertinent highlights.
- "Obviously I've got tremendous respect for Ohio State, their football program, traditions, their history, their talent on their roster and obviously the way they've been able to win, and win at a high level."
- Urban Meyer's record "speaks for itself."
- The game is against "two programs that know how to win."
- Called Ohio State "one of the more explosive teams in the country."
- "We recruited Dwayne (Haskins), but I did see the video that came out when he was like eight years old in the Ohio State locker room. We probably weren't going to win that battle."
- On how Ohio State's offense has changed from last season: "I don't think it's a whole lot different." The biggest difference is the talent on the offensive line. Franklin called them "massive." saying "it's unusual you see a 6-7 center." They set the tone up front.
- "Their whole scheme is built around their defensive line." Franklin said they play predominantly press coverage to force the quarterback to hold onto the ball and face the pass rush.
- "Obviously this is the first opponent we've played to this level." Called Ohio State "One of the most talented rosters in the country if not the most talented roster in the country."
- "He's one of the better college football players I've ever seen on tape. He is obviously big and strong and athletic, but his motor is what separates him," Franklin said of Nick Bosa and his injury status.
- "I want the Ohio State fans and family members of the players to have a great experience. I want the Penn State fans to welcome them and treat them extremely well," Franklin said. "But on the field, I want it to be the most difficult environment in the history of college football."
- Parris Campbell and K.J. Hill "can change the game in any moment," Franklin said.
- Franklin said Ohio State's scheme makes it extremely difficult to get pressure on Dwayne Haskins.
- Franklin said Haskins' arm strength and accuracy allows him to distribute the ball to playmakers all over the field, forcing his team to defend everywhere. He said it's different than last season's team that focused on the quarterback run with a numbers advantage, but both are difficult to stop.
Ohio State at Penn State kicks off Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.
