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Brady during one of the most successful seasons an NFL quarterback has ever had. So who has the winning strategy? Well, that's the beauty of sports, especially college football. In case Hackenberg hasn't been able to prove worthy of a starting spot yet, he'll get another shot Saturday when the Nittany Lions travel to Ohio Stadium for a primetime showdown against the Buckeyes. Meyer will have a front-row view. Ohio State hasn't tasted defeat since ending its 2011 season with a 24-17 loss to Florida in the Gator Bowl. It has won 19 in a row, but there have been some close calls in '13. The Buckeyes trailed at halftime in each of their past two games – against Northwestern and Iowa – before taking control in the third and fourth quarters, scoring a combined 51 secondhalf points and winning each of those games by 10 points. Much of that offensive production was spearheaded by dual-threat quarterback Braxton Miller, whom O'Brien called "one of the top five players in the country." In the past two games, Miller threw for 425 yards and added 170 yards rushing. His 235-pound sidekick Carlos Hyde is also causing headaches for defensive coordinators from the tailback position. For much of the year – and especially against the Hawkeyes and Wildcats – Ohio State's offense has been most dangerous after halftime. "They have done a great job in the second half of coming out and making great adjustments," O'Brien said. "When you've never lost under your leadership – Coach Meyer's leadership – you've got a very confident team. Maybe it's a close game in the first half. Then they go in at halftime, and say, 'Well, we've won 19 in a row. We've got to make these adjustments and here's what we do [to win]. We're confident that we're going to be able to win. ' "They've done it before, and I think that's a testament to their coaching staff. I think that's a testament to their players. They make the adjustments, they go out and they play better in the second half. That's something that's been a big key for them in the last two games. " And it will be key going forward, too, especially with a berth in the BCS Championship Game within reach. When the initial Bowl Championship Series rankings came out Monday, Ohio State was ranked No. 4, and that meant the Buckeyes are in the mix for a title shot. But "in the mix" does not mean they control their own destiny. The Buckeyes need two of the three teams ranked ahead of them – Alabama, Florida State and Oregon – to lose a game. They also must stay undefeated, and while they're at it, they need each win to be as convincing as possible. Meyer gave his team what he called a "state of the union address" after the BCS rankings were announced. A twotime NCAA title-winning coach, he wanted to ease his players – most of whom haven't been in a national championship hunt before – into the impending media parade that trails championship hopefuls. As far as Meyer is concerned, though, that's all they need to be aware of. All other expectations are the same since he was hired – partly why they haven't lost a game under his watch, and why they defeated Florida A&M by a gaudy 76-0 score earlier this season. So he expects nothing to change. "I wanted [them to know that] they're going to hear it when this BCS thing came out," Meyer said. "And my comment was that we are, indeed, in the mix. Embrace it. In the mix for what? Don't worry about it. We are in the mix, though." Penn State, however, will be trying to sift them out of it. Two-touchdown underdogs, the Nittany Lions won't have it easy in Columbus. But if they're going to do it, O'Brien will have to call on that newbie quarterback of his. INJURY REPORT Bill O'Brien said safety Ryan Keiser (hand) is "full-go" Linebacker Ben Kline . (shoulder) will play "in some capacity." Ohio State defensive tackle Tyquan Lewis (undisclosed) is questionable against the Nittany Lions. O C T O B E R 2 3 , 2 0 1 3 2 BWI'S FORECAST NATE BAUER 2013 RECORD 3-3 The goal for Penn State is to survive the first quarter. If they get to the second quarter winning or tied, then the Nittany Lions have a shot to keep it close. Unfortunately for PSU, even then, the No. 4 Buckeyes have the horses to pull away in the second half. OHIO STATE 38, PENN STATE 30 PHIL GROSZ 2013 RECORD 3-3 With Braxton Miller and Jordan Hall healthy and Carlos Hyde surging, it's going to be tough for any defense, including Penn State's, to hold Ohio State under 35 points. I believe PSU's offense will have some success and the score will be closer than some people think OHIO STATE 35, PENN STATE 28 MATT HERB 2013 RECORD 5-1 If Allen Robinson can make some plays downfield against OSU's secondary – and Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis certainly did – the Lions could make things interesting. But the Buckeyes have the kind of running game that can churn up yards and points and keep ARob and company off the field. OHIO STATE 38, PENN STATE 20 TIM OWEN 2013 RECORD 4-2 Team speed will be a decisive factor in this one. And right now, Penn State still doesn't have the same speed as Braxton Miller, Philly Brown, Devin Smith and Co. OHIO STATE 35, PENN STATE 21 RYAN SNYDER 2013 RECORD 5-1 I had faith in Penn State last game against Michigan, but Ohio State is just a better overall team right now. This is also Ohio State's big recruiting weekend, so Urban Meyer will have his team ready to play. OHIO STATE 37, PENN STATE 24 B LUE W HI T EON L I N E. COM

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