Ohio State Buckeye Preview

by BSD on Oct 26, 2007 9:47 AM EDT in Football

The Film Room

Take a look at some of the things the Buckeyes like to do in the rushing game.

This is classic Ohio State. A lot of pulling guards and a bruising running back that hits the hole hard and runs you over. Now let's look at the passing game.

NCAA Football Highlights on Veoh.com

Brian Robiskie is the deep threat. But Boeckman is a smart quarterback that knows where his outlets are and dumps it often to avoid the pressure. Look for Ohio State to pass out of the shotgun on long yardage situations to keep the PSU pass rush at bay.

Here is their defensive line in action.

NCAA Football Highlights on Veoh.com

And here is their secondary including two interceptions where the Washington quarterback throws the ball right at Laurinaitus. I still say he's overrated.

NCAA Football Highlights on Veoh.com

Stats and Stuff

There it is. I'm not going to sugar coat it for you. The Lions are in for a fight in this game. The offenses are pretty even statistically. The Buckeye defense is statistically the best in the country. But Penn State's defense isn't too shabby either.

If there is one area where Penn State may have an advantage it's special teams. Ohio State's return game is terrible. This is good because our kickoff coverage team is equally terrible. This could be a key matchup in the game that determines if the Ohio State offense has a short field or long field to deal with.

Prediction

This game could go either way. Both offenses are going to have trouble moving the ball and scoring points. In a low scoring game it always comes down to field position and turnovers.

Penn State knows the kickoff coverage team is bad and I'm sure they've been working on correcting that all week. Given how bad Ohio State is at returning kicks and Kevin Kelly's ability to kick the ball in the endzone three out of ever four kicks, and Jeremy Boones ability to pin the opponent deep, the Buckeyes should have a long field to start with most of the night. Penn State and Anthony Morelli have to be patient in taking what the defense gives them. Take the field goals and put whatever points you can get on the board.

On defense Penn State has to get pressure on Boeckman. He demonstrated against Michigan State that he can be rattled. This is his first big game on the road as a Big Ten quarterback. The crowd will be hostile and communication will be difficult. I look for Ohio State to run out of the shotgun a lot on long yardage utilizing a silent snap count. While this will cut down on offside penalties, it will prevent the offense from audibling and it will give the defensive lineman an advantage in anticipating the snap count.

I think Justin King will rebound this week after being outphysicalled (as JB would say) against James Hardy. Ohio State doesn't have anyone seven inches taller than King to worry about. Boeckman will be frustrated all night and eventually the Penn State pressure will get to him. If they can force some turnovers Penn State will win the game.

But like I said this game could go either way. It's quite possible Morelli could throw two or three picks of his own and the fumble prone running backs could put the ball on the ground. Like I said against Wisconins, if Penn State limits it's turnovers to two or less we win. More than two we lose. Assuming both teams play clean this game is too close to call. So I have to go with the home team.

**Team Comparison**
Statistical Category	Ohio State	NCAA Rank	Penn State	NCAA Rank	Advantage
Rushing Offense (ypg)	199	22	186	66
Passing Offense (ypg)	216	71	220	66
Pass Efficiency Offense	156.2	9	129.1	57
Total Offense (ypg)	415	40	406	49
Scoring Offense (ppg)	34.3	33	33.1	37
Rushing Defense (ypg)	62	2	80	9
Passing Defense (ypg)	146	2	200	31
Pass Efficiency Defense	86.8	1	109.1	23
Total Defense (ypg)	209	1	280	7
Scoring Defense (ppg)	7.9	1	15.0	4
Net Punting (yards)	38.3	14	40.6	2
Punt Returns (yards)	10.6	42	13.2	20
Kickoff Returns (yards)	16.8	119	21.0	69
Turnover Margin	0	60	0	60	Even
Sacks Per Game	3.1	12	4.4	1
Tackles for Loss	8.0	13	9.1	5
Sacks Allowed Per Game	1.1	15	2.0	63

Ohio State	10
Penn State	13

0 recs | Comment 19 comments

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Comments

Low Scoring Games

One advantage of low scoring games is that there aren't many kick offs anyway. Could very well be that the opening kicks decide much of the game.

by stonewall435 on Oct 26, 2007 11:07 AM EDT 0 recs

Question for the group

Do you guys like these highlight videos I post before the games? I've had a few real life friends (yes I have some) tell me they don't care for them. They are easy for me to do and I think they give a better picture of what the opponent is capable of than anything I could research and type. It kind of gives it a Ron Jawarski feel to the preview if you ask me.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

Hail to the Lion!

by BSD on Oct 26, 2007 11:47 AM EDT 0 recs

I like it.

I like it. I dont have many chances to see opponents in action and these highlight videos give me an idea of what teams are capable of. Please continue what you're doing. Great work!

by DeafPSUFan on Oct 26, 2007 12:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

Ditto...

I agree with boomkracker.

by Nick7 on Oct 26, 2007 12:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

Beano Cook

picked Penn State to win, don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing though....

"all i can do is be me, whoever that is"-Bob Dylan

by Phishead on Oct 26, 2007 12:53 PM EDT 0 recs

ESPN IPODCAST.......

this week......for those of you who didn't know this but always wondered......Beano Cook said he moved to Pittsburgh in 1938 and everybody called him the Boston Baked Bean. Hence the name Beano. Just thought I woudl share that.

Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.

by ech2os on Oct 26, 2007 4:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

Fictitious Scenario

Mike - All week you've stated that our defense is a better fit to stop OSU (as opposed to Indiana/Illinois). Knowing this, don't you think OSU opens up their offense more? Does this "fictitious" scenario sound familiar?

Big conference game on ABC. Home team's defense was exposed by spread offenses in two previous games. Home team's defense is better suited to stop a more conventional offense. The visiting team:
(a) plays conservative & runs into the teeth of the defense
(b) opens up the offense & plays more spread

by The Man with One Black Shoe on Oct 26, 2007 3:14 PM EDT 0 recs

Not really no...

I know you addressed this question to Mike, but I thought I would take a stab at it. The visiting does (c) neither. In order to run the spread offense effectively, you need a quarterback who has the mobility to exploit the spread, an attribute Todd Boeckman or however you spell his name does not have. While they wont necessarily play conservatively, they are a more pro style offense with the 3 step drop back pass and shotgun if they have to. Theyre not going to change up an entire offensive scheme that theyve been running since the beginning of the season. They'll try and come out and attack, maybe a few play action on first down type throws, but again, theyre a traditional offense that plays right into our defense. The only reason our defense gets burnt is because of dual threat quartersbacks (i.e Juice Williams and Kellen Lewis). Our defense will be a brick wall against OSU.

by doctadas on Oct 26, 2007 4:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Attack

Good point. Perhaps what I really meant was OSU will attack aggressively (as you pointed out), rather than running the spread. I expect we see a lot of play action, screens, deep balls, reverses, etc early on.

Certainly we made the fatal flaw of option (a) at the big house. Sweatervests deserves the same criticism as Paterno/Galen if he does the same tomorrow.

by The Man with One Black Shoe on Oct 26, 2007 5:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

One thing we will now fo sure late Sat night

Either OSU has indeed been overrated and their ranking was acquired through an easy schedule and everyone else losing along the way ... and that their defense also got their ranking because they simply have not played anyone yet I don't think that is true, Purdue, who can't play defense, surely can move the ball through the air, and MSU can move the ball on the ground, neither team was successful. I don't think our passing or running game is as good as either of those teams so maybe we can exploit them with a balanced attack. We will also find out if our team's defense is as good as we think they are.

by PSUinTN on Oct 27, 2007 12:02 AM EDT up 0 recs

Is homerism taking over blogdom

I know your the team blogger and all but isn't this homerism beyond the call of homerism?? What in the last 7 weeks makes you think Psu gawdawful offense will muster enough to score now? They couldn't do it against Michigan or stop anemic Illinois team with Juice Williams at qb and the last time I checked AMorelli is still the starting qb. How long do you think it will take before he starts berating his own fans for criticizing him while the game is going on?

Osu 24-Psu 10.........

We both know you stand no chance..No rb's, no qb no problem..

by zippybuck on Oct 26, 2007 5:09 PM EDT 0 recs

Cause At The End........

of the day OSU has stopped a bunch of nobodys. Even your boy Herbstreit views this game as the first test of your season. And to be honest, as confident as your post is, I would expect your prediction to be a little more one sided.

Plus, there is a good chance that with no ability to audible due to the noise your QB may very well wet his girdle at midfield. Anyhow, good luck.

Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.

by ech2os on Oct 26, 2007 9:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

and let the homeism continue

with your buckeye shaded glasses. Beat PSU and beat us good and I will be the first to admit the Buckeyes are indeed good, but beat us because AM throws a pick six late in the game and I will enjoy watching your demise to a tune of 49-8 by whomever you play for the NC (AGAIN) ... if you make it that far.

by PSUinTN on Oct 27, 2007 12:05 AM EDT up 0 recs

zippybuck

If PSU pulls out a win you best come back. Don't run and hide because I imagine a nice "i told you so" if OSU wins. Deal?

by nittanyroar on Oct 26, 2007 6:26 PM EDT 0 recs

Lmao

Anthony Morelli dude, Anthony Morelli.....

by zippybuck on Oct 26, 2007 7:15 PM EDT 0 recs

Got a good feeling

yeah everywhere you turn, they are saying this game can go either way. From the looks of it, it should be a healthy dose of the Wells. Not to worried though, our front 7 is very stout and if we get them to the numbers they put up against the mighty Kent State it's laughable. In that game they scored on a variety of things but I don't see PSU having any of that. With that being said we should try to force the game into boeckman's hands, he doesn't scare me. If we get good pressure on him, how are these OSU wideouts going to get the ball. As long as where efficent thi sgame is very winnable and I'd wish people would lay off Morelli already it's getting real old. He has his questionable plays, yes but games aren't played in the past or on paper. PSU is very much in this game, I just feel like PSU isn't outmatched "severly" like the analysts try to make it sound. Ok well enough ranting right?? I'll be down at the WVU-Rutgers game tomm @ noon so maybe I'll have a write up. Stay safe and keep supporting State!

WE ARE, PENN STATE! http://bleedblueandwhite.blogspot.com/

by LinebackerU on Oct 26, 2007 8:09 PM EDT 0 recs

Boeckman does not scare me either

but then neither did Mallett ...

by PSUinTN on Oct 27, 2007 12:06 AM EDT up 0 recs

O Yea...

I love the clips, why would someone not care for them?? It gives you a look at what most teams are coming at you with, if you haven't seen the team before on your own accord.

WE ARE, PENN STATE! http://bleedblueandwhite.blogspot.com/

by LinebackerU on Oct 26, 2007 8:11 PM EDT 0 recs

Thanks for the feedback

I'll continue with the clips. I wish I could post highlights from each game on Monday, but it's usually two or three weeks until they get highlights posted on there. When the season is over we'll do a recap of each game with video highlights.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

Hail to the Lion!

by BSD on Oct 26, 2007 9:23 PM EDT 0 recs