There have been countless discussions about the two coaches who will be on the sidelines for Saturday’s top-five matchup between Ohio State and Penn State.
But ultimately, the outcome will depend primarily on what each team’s players do on the field at Beaver Stadium.
One day away from one of the biggest games of the 2024 college football season, we’re taking a look at 10 players who could determine the outcome of the matchup.
Penn State QBs Drew Allar and Beau Pribula
We’ll start with the obvious one right off the bat, since we’re not positive which quarterback is lining up under center for Penn State. If Wednesday’s practice was any indication, Allar seems to be trending in the right direction to give it a go on Saturday, though James Franklin still listed Allar as a game-time decision.
If Allar is thrust into action, how healthy and effective will the Nittany Lions’ star signal-caller be? Allar famously had one of the worst games of his career against Ohio State last season, completing less than 50 percent of his passes and throwing for less than 200 yards on 41 attempts. In seven games this season, Allar hasn't finished a contest with a completion percentage below 64.7.
If Allar can’t go, Penn State feels good about its backup, Beau Pribula, who completed 11 of 13 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown against Wisconsin last week but has never started a game for the Nittany Lions, though they do frequently involve him in their offense as a runner.
Ohio State DE JT Tuimoloau
Who knows if Penn State did something to Tuimoloau in a past life or something, but the Washington native always seems to save his best games of the season for the Nittany Lions.
The last time Tuimoloau played at Beaver Stadium, he essentially forced four turnovers as he racked up two interceptions (one of which he returned for a score), tipped another pass for an interception and had a fumble recovery in the Buckeyes’ 44-31 victory. He had two sacks in that game and recorded another sack last year in OSU’s 20-12 win against Penn State.
Tuimoloau has been OSU’s most effective pass rusher so far this season and has recorded four sacks on the year.
Penn State DE Abdul Carter
Ohio State’s offensive line injuries aside, Carter possesses the type of playmaking ability to make life miserable for any opposing offense. Factor in the banged-up unit, and Carter could be downright terrorizing to the Buckeyes’ game plan if not handled correctly.
A first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023, Carter has recorded 30 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three pass deflections, a forced fumble and four sacks this season. There’s not many weaknesses to Carter’s game, though he’s not as strong as a run defender as he is rushing the passer and dropping into coverage.
Ohio State LT/LG Donovan Jackson
Ohio State’s most veteran offensive lineman will likely be asked to play a position he’s never played at the collegiate level and become the third Buckeye to start a game at left tackle this season. That will mean blocking Carter, at least some of the time. No pressure, right?
Jackson has been an effective lineman and a vocal leader throughout his tenure in Columbus, so he’s capable of thriving in non-ideal circumstances. But how well he adjusts to his new role could determine whether Ohio State continues its winning streak in Happy Valley.
Penn State TE Tyler Warren
Dan pointed this stat out in his position-by-position breakdown of the matchup, but I think it’s worth pointing out again: Warren had more receiving yards in a single game against USC (224 yards) than OSU’s tight ends do collectively for the entire season (213).
Warren is a clear frontrunner to contend for the John Mackey Award and is Penn State’s greatest receiving weapon, leading the team in both yards (559) and touchdowns (four).
It’ll be interesting to see how Jim Knowles attempts to take him away and if he relies primarily on Ohio State’s linebackers or safeties to cover Warren.
Ohio State S Caleb Downs
Downs has been effective both as a run defender and in coverage this season, and he could have a profound impact in helping to slow Penn State’s dangerous running back combo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. He’ll likely also be among the Buckeyes who are tasked with covering Warren, though I wouldn’t expect Knowles to match him up with Warren on every play.
Penn State LB Kobe King
Just as OSU hopes to neutralize Singleton and Allen, Penn State doesn’t want to let the Buckeyes’ talented backfield combo of TreVeyon Henderson or Quinshon Judkins run wild. King will be instrumental for Penn State in shutting down the Ohio State run game, as he’s arguably the best linebacker on the field for either side. In seven games this season, King has recorded 37 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three pass deflections.
Ohio State QB Will Howard
Howard was a three-star Pennsylvania recruit who was passed over by his hometown Nittany Lions in the recruiting process, and the Buckeyes’ signal-caller hasn’t forgotten about it years later. He’ll have the chance to satisfy the chip on his shoulder on Saturday.
With the uncertainty surrounding the production of the offensive line, the Buckeyes are going to need Howard to be more decisive and accurate than ever. Chip Kelly hasn’t utilized Howard’s rushing skills more than nine times in a game yet, and you’d have to wonder if that may change Saturday.
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith
You could equally put Emeka Egbuka in this space too and the intended effect would be the same, but the Buckeyes won a low-scoring, grind-it-out game against the Nittany Lions without Egbuka a year ago in large part due to Marvin Harrison Jr. and his 162 receiving yards.
Despite only being a true freshman, Smith leads OSU in receiving yards (623) and receiving touchdowns (eight). He’s caught a touchdown in every game so far this season, so no reason to think he won’t do so on Saturday, right?
Ohio State LG/RG Tegra Tshabola/Carson Hinzman/Austin Siereveld
It’s uncertain what Ohio State’s interior offensive line combination will look like with Jackson moving to tackle, but it’s a near certainty it’ll have a huge impact on the game. Tegra Tshabola will start at one guard spot or the other while Austin Siereveld or Carson Hinzman are both drawing consideration to start at the other guard spot.
Siereveld has seen more playing time than Hinzman so far this season, but Hinzman was a full-time starter at center a year ago, so OSU could count on his game experience to make a difference on the interior line in one of its biggest contests of the season.
