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KEY MATcHUPS P E N N   S T A T E   V S .   O H I O   S T A T E | B Y P H I L G R O S Z W H E N P E N N S T A T E H A S T H E B A L L O T H E R M A T C H U P S PENN STATE RUNNING GAME 93.2 YPG, 2.8 YPC OHIO STATE RUN DEFENSE 137.8 YPG, 4.0 YPC THE LOWDOWN Penn State's offensive line will face its biggest challenge of the season when it goes up against an Ohio State defense that has amassed 41 tackles for loss through six games. The Buckeyes are led by preseason All-Amer- ica DE Joey Bosa, who already has nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Penn State ranks dead last in the Big Ten (and 118th in the nation) in rushing offense. The key matchup here will pit Penn State guards Brendan Mahon and Brian Gaia against Ohio State's two All-Big Ten candidate defensive tackles, junior Adolphus Washington and senior Michael Bennett. EDGE Ohio State PENN STATE PASSING GAME 282.3 YPG, 12.1 YPC OHIO STATE PASS DEFENSE 181.7 YPG, 10.6 YPC THE LOWDOWN This will probably be the best matchup of the night. The Lions rank second in the Big Ten in passing, with Christian Hackenberg having completed 134 of 227 passes for 1,637 yards. The Buckeyes' pass defense ranks second in the Big Ten. They have allowed only seven TD passes and have totaled 10 interceptions. That's a concern, because Hackenberg has been under heavy duress and has thrown seven picks. The key matchups here will pit wideouts DaeSean Hamilton and Geno Lewis against Ohio State's starting cornerbacks, redshirt freshman Eli Apple and senior Doran Grant. Also, PSU must keep Bosa away from Hackenberg as best it can. EDGE Even PENN STATE PASSING GAME VS. OHIO STATE PASS DEFENSE OHIO STATE RUNNING GAME 259.8 YPG, 5.4 YPC PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE 60.8 YPG, 2.0 YPC THE LOWDOWN The Buckeyes' rushing attack was firing on all cylinders in victories over Rutgers and Maryland. Against the Scarlet Knights, Ohio State rushed for 324 yards; against the Terrapins, it totaled 269. Redshirt freshman Ezekiel Elliott is the Buckeyes' leading rusher with 531 yards (5.8 YPC) and four TDs. Redshirt freshman QB J.T. Barrett ranks second with 383 yards (4.9 YPC). The Lions are first in the Big Ten in rush defense. The key matchup here will pit Ohio State guards Pat Elflein and Billy Price against Penn State defensive tackles Anthony Zettel and Austin Johnson. Penn State has to make Ohio State one-dimensional on offense. EDGE Even OHIO STATE RUNNING GAME VS. PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE OHIO STATE PASSING GAME VS. PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE THE LOWDOWN Ohio State sophomore Cameron Johnston leads the Big Ten in punting, averaging 44.2 yards per at- tempt. The Buckeyes also have superb punt- and kickoff-return units. Sophomore Dontre Wilson averages 22.8 yards per kickoff return, while he and redshirt freshman Jalin Marshall give the Buckeyes two excellent punt re- turners. Redshirt freshman Sean Nuernberger has converted on 6 of 9 field goal tries. EDGE Ohio State SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWN Ohio State has scored 50 or more points in its past four games. It is ranked 13th in the AP poll and views this week's nationally televised showcase against the Nittany Lions as a statement game going into a matchup against Michigan State on Nov. 8. Urban Meyer wants to impress the playoff selection committee with a big win at Penn State. EDGE Ohio State THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN Meyer knows just how hostile the environment at Penn State can be, having coached a White Out game at Beaver Stadium two years ago. He will have his team well prepared. James Franklin and his staff are coming off of a disappointing loss to Michigan. It will be interesting to see whether Penn State is able to shake off its loss to the Wolverines. EDGE Ohio State COACHING STAFF W H E N O H I O S T A T E H A S T H E B A L L PENN STATE RUNNING GAME VS. OHIO STATE RUN DEFENSE O c T O B E R 2 2 , 2 0 1 4 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 3 OHIO STATE PASSING GAME 274.0 YPG, 14.9 YPC PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE 222.5 YPG, 12.7 YPC THE LOWDOWN This is where Ohio State has made its biggest strides since losing to Virginia Tech in week two. Barrett has completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 1,615 yards, with 20 TD passes and only five interceptions. Barrett has spread the ball around to 12 receivers. Sophomore Michael Thomas leads the team with 21 catches for 377 yards and five TDs. Senior Devin Smith is the Buckeyes' big-play specialist with 12 catches for 355 yards and five TDs. The key matchups here will pit cornerbacks Trevor Williams and Jordan Lucas against Thomas and Smith. To keep this game competitive, Penn State will need to prevent big plays. EDGE Ohio State

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