Ohio State Football: Buckeyes’ focus turns to Nittany Lions

Now that the Ohio State football team’s two-week tune-up is behind them, the focus turns to a tough test against Penn State.

The Ohio State football team demolished an over-matched Rutgers Scarlet Knights team on Saturday afternoon with a 56-21 victory. After a drubbing of Maryland last week, these past two games have been used as a warmup for the stretch run of the Buckeyes’ schedule.

The focus now turns to the Penn State Nittany Lions (9-1) who come into Columbus next Saturday afternoon. Head coach Ryan Day seemed pleased yesterday to get out of New Jersey with a victory and quickly turned his attention to Penn State, via Eleven Warriors:

"“Now all the focus, the minute that game went to zero, is on Penn State and getting ready for this next run,” Day said. “We gotta do everything we can to prepare for this game, and it starts right now. We talked about that and really talked very little about this game (in the locker room postgame). Talked right about preparation, and what this means for this week. So we’ll get home tonight, get some rest and then get back in there tomorrow, have a meeting and get right to Penn State.”"

To say that this game is Ohio State’s biggest threat to an undefeated season thus far is an understatement. We thought Wisconsin would provide the Buckeyes with a game and they did for two quarters, but the Badgers proved to be no worry by the end of it.

Penn State should provide Ohio State with its toughest test of the season. Coming off a 34-27 win versus a red-hot Indiana Hoosiers team, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons had this to offer from Penn Live:

"“Since the beginning of the season, we’ve been the underdogs,” Parsons said. “You’re always looking forward, but that’s how you get distracted. This game means a lot, but if we just focus on beating Ohio State, everything else will play its part.”"

A year in which was supposed to be a rebuilding season for Penn State, head coach James Franklin has done a tremendous job with this team. Averaging 36.8 points per game and only allowing 13.5 points per game, the Nittany Lions have been playing well on both sides of the ball.

Their rush defense has been particularly spectacular, only allowing 75.9 yards per game, good enough for fourth in the country.

Sean Clifford will be the best quarterback that Ohio State has seen all season. With 22 touchdown passes compared to only six interceptions, the Cincinnati native is going to want to put up a good showing in his home state. The Buckeye defense is going to have to account for his legs as well. He rushed for 55 yards and two touchdowns against Indiana on Saturday.

For the Buckeyes, defensive end Chase Young has already been getting ready for Penn State for two weeks. He’s going to itching to perform like he did against Wisconsin.

Also, starters such as Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, Damon Arnette and Austin Mack, who all sat out Saturday’s game against Rutgers with nagging injuries, will look to come back and contribute against Penn State.

All in all, if Ohio State prepares the way they have been, and shows up ready to play on Saturday then this should be a comfortable win. Ryan Day has been the most prepared coach on the field for every game he’s been apart of this season. I have no reason to doubt that he wouldn’t be ready for his biggest game as a head coach thus far.