Penn State vs. Ohio State: 3 keys to a Nittany Lions upset

What does Penn State football need to do to pull off an upset in Columbus?

It is going to take a mighty, even legendary effort for Penn State football to get this win.

Some argue that the formula that worked for Iowa in 2017 and Purdue in 2018 is the key to victory. In a nutshell, force Ohio State to make mistakes and then turn those mistakes into touchdowns at whatever cost. It did indeed work for them but this game is on Ohio State’s turf so Penn State cannot rely on mistakes.

Here are three keys to Penn State upsetting the Buckeyes and keeping their CFP hopes alive:

1. Keep the game from becoming a high-scoring shootout

Penn State’s defense has been criticized the past two weeks for struggling against the Minnesota and Indiana passing attack. Comments like “gee whiz, it’s gonna be a long day for the defense in Columbus” are prevalent on Twitter and everywhere Penn State football’s armchair coaches congregate.

Ohio State currently leads the country in scoring defense and offense. KJ Hamler and Noah Cain are questionable and the Lions’ offense, while solid, has had issues with consistency throughout the season. Penn State’s offense simply won’t be able to keep up if this turns into a shootout, especially with Chase Young back on the field.

An old-fashioned low-scoring defensive battle would not only be wildly entertaining to the rough-hewn inhabitants of Big Ten country, but it would probably give Penn State the best chance to win.

In every Penn State win over Ohio State since 2005, the Lions held the Buckeyes to 21 points or less, while scoring no more than 24 points.

But how can the Penn State defense, which has struggled the past couple of weeks, possibly slow down the No. 1 scoring offense in the country?

2. The defensive line needs to have a huge game

The Penn State defensive line needs to live up to its billing as the Wild Dogs. They need to get sacks and tackles for loss in this game, and lots of them.

The Buckeyes are No. 77 in the country in sacks allowed (with a total of 22), No. 36 in tackles-for-loss allowed (with a total of 51) and No. 41 in fewest penalties (with a total of 58).

In other words, it is entirely doable for the Penn State defensive line to create pressure and influence the outcome of this game. They’ve shown all season how disruptive they can be, especially against Iowa.

But the line has to be the ones getting to Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields and running back J.K. Dobbins. Not blitzing linebackers. Not blitzing defensive backs.

Penn State got burned by Indiana and Minnesota on poorly timed blitzes. The Nittany Lions did much better when the linebackers and defensive backs kept opposing receivers in front of them. It’ll be important that defensive coordinator Brent Pry isn’t lured into blitzing the kitchen sink at the wrong time.

But the D-line needs to be elite not only in those areas. Wisconsin’s D-line had some success getting pressure on Fields too. They faltered in the run game, though, when they got their shoulders turned by the Buckeyes’ offensive line, creating smooth lanes for Fields and Dobbins to run through.

Get sacks. Get tackles for loss. Hold your gaps and keep contain. It’s a lot to ask when going against one of the best teams in the country, but the Penn State D-line is also one of the best and most experienced in the country.

3. Penn State needs to tackle and not “throw shoulders.”

That simple, fundamental skill will be key in this game.

James Franklin mentioned in his post-Indiana press conference that the defense was “throwing shoulders” instead of making sure tackles against the Hoosiers. There were also instances where Penn State’s defenders were diving at the ball carrier’s ankles instead of wrapping up.

“Throwing shoulders” and diving at ankles will not work in this game. Justin Fields is slippery and parallels a young Ben Roethlisberger– if he escapes a sack and scrambles, he will make you pay big time. JK Dobbins and Chris Olave don’t just fall down either. The Lions will need to wrap them up.

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