Before each Ohio State game, Eleven Warriors catches up with a media member who covers the opposing team to get his or her perspective on the Buckeyes' upcoming opponent.
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| #20 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS |
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5-2 (2-2 B1G) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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7:30 P.M. – SATURDAY, OCT. 30 OHIO STADIUM COLUMBUS, OHIO |
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ABC WatchESPN |
In a week that's already been full of headlines for Penn State as the Nittany Lions look to bounce back from two straight losses while rumors continue to swirl about where James Franklin will be coaching next year, Ben Jones of StateCollege.com kindly joins us once again to answer some questions about the state of the Nittany Lions going into their trip to Columbus to play Ohio State on Saturday night.
Are the Nittany Lions, who currently have a top-10 scoring defense but a 79th-ranked scoring offense, as good on defense and as bad on offense as the statistics suggest they are? Will James Franklin still be in Happy Valley next year? And after losing its last two games to Iowa and Illinois, does Penn State have a real chance of upsetting Ohio State in the Shoe? Jones shares insight on all of those questions and more.
What’s the vibe around the Penn State football program after back-to-back losses? Do you expect the Nittany Lions to be hungrier than ever for a win this week, or are they deflated by the likely end to their College Football Playoff hopes?
Jones: I think any team in college football that has two losses is going to understand the situation they're facing relative to the college football playoffs. At the same time Penn State still has Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State left on the schedule so it's not as though there aren't opportunities to say “We beat the best teams we faced.”
I do think there is some reasonable level of “this sucks” relative to the fact Penn State probably doesn't lose to Iowa or Illinois if Sean Clifford is healthy so things come with a heavy dose of “What if?” If nothing else those games have what feels like a more genuine result if he's healthy. It's one thing to lose straight up, it's a harder pill to swallow when a guy like Clifford either isn't in the game or is playing in it injured. Losing because you're hurt –hurts. But that's also life in college football. Thankfully for all those involved Ohio State offers a self-explanatory reason to get excited.
Penn State currently ranks sixth in the country in points allowed per game. Is this defense as good as it looks on paper, or are there vulnerabilities that Ohio State’s top-ranked offense could expose?
Jones: I think Penn State's defense is as good as advertised but that doesn't mean Ohio State can't do what Ohio State does. Losing PJ Mustipher up front hurt against Illinois so one imagines Ohio State will give Penn State plenty of work between the tackles. The Nittany Lion corner and safety unit as a whole is among the best the program has fielded in recent memory and while the linebackers don't quite have an obvious star, they've been very solid across the board. Ohio State has plenty of good receivers so I'm not going to say Penn State is going to shut them down, but if there is a weakness right now it's on the ground.
The Nittany Lions are averaging just 21.2 points per game against Power 5 opponents this season. What have been the biggest issues offensively?
Jones: Really just balance. Penn State has been pretty decent passing the ball all year long but has been pretty dreadful doing anything on the ground. Why that is the case is a bit of a mystery considering there are plenty of talented runners in the backfield, but that's only half the battle. Also, in fairness, 1.5 games worth of data is either Ta'Quan Roberson in at quarterback or a hurt Clifford.
But there's no doubt this group has not put up as many points as it can. Generally I think this team can pass its way to wins, that's sorta been the Mike Yurcich way outside of his time at Ohio State, but you aren't going to win in the Big Ten – let alone score – without converting short-yardage on the ground, and Penn State generally hasn't.
James Franklin is rumored to be a candidate for USC’s head coaching job. Do you think it’s more likely Franklin will be back at Penn State or coaching elsewhere next year? And do you think those rumors have caused any distractions?
Jones: The honest answer is that I have no idea. In part because I don't know and in part because the equation keeps changing. I think there is an argument to be had in both directions and I think only a few people really know how he feels and whether or not he’s using the whole thing as leverage for more *things*. USC has always felt like one of the few jobs James would leave for – for a lot of reasons – so it's one of the few times the rumors don't feel like arbitrary coaching carousel fodder.
It feels like at this point he's gone, but the interesting wrinkle is that if he doesn't go, he might be around for a long time, so the stakes feel higher. I think stuff like that always causes some of a distraction, but kids want to play and win and further their careers, none of that changes if the coach does. This answer will probably change twice before it gets posted because the information keeps changing.
Who are some of Penn State’s key players to watch in Saturday night’s game?
Jones: Penn State's entire coverage unit is fun to watch and at last check top 10 in passes defended this year. That group starts and ends with Jaquan Brisker at safety and corner Tariq Castro-Fields is the honorary member of “How do you still have eligibility?” club.
Up front at defensive end, Temple transfer Arnold Ebiketie has been outstanding all season long and will probably win the award for getting Penn State (and Temple) some Sunday Night Football shoutouts while having only played one season in State College. Really can't say enough good things about how well he has played.
Other than that Penn State's offense is more or less a collection of familiar faces. Receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith is the newest name to know. Ohio State fans have already seen their fair share of Jahan Dotson over the years.
Jaquan Brisker is one of the stars of Penn State’s defense. (Photo: Rich Barnes – USA TODAY Sports)
Ohio State is favored to win Saturday’s game by three scores. What needs to happen for Penn State to upset Ohio State, and do you think it can?
Jones: I think if Sean Clifford is healthy Penn State has a puncher's chance by virtue of the defense alone. If he isn't healthy – and there's no real reason to think he is 100% – then this could be a long night.
End of the day, you win these sorts of games by limiting mistakes and forcing them. Gun to my head, this is probably like last year's game. Penn State is close, but not really close, and has an obligatory chance to make a game of things in the second half before it doesn't. Ohio State takes care of the rest. 34-13ish has been my default answer but I think the game will be slightly closer than the final score. But then again it depends on Clifford. Also depends on if Penn State can run the ball and so far the answer has been no.
