Ohio State football: 3 keys to beating Penn State

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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Ohio State faces off in what many, including myself, was thought to be the toughest game on their schedule. These are three things the Buckeyes have to do to beat Penn State.

The Buckeyes had a big win in their first game against Nebraska. None of that matters now though. Now they must prepare to face off against Penn State in their first road game of the season. It will be a night game, but at least there will be no fans.

Ohio State knows that the Nittany Lions will be motivated to play very hard after suffering an embarrassing upset to Indiana last week. In that game, a multitude of mistakes led to Penn State losing 36-35 after IU converted on a controversial two-point conversion.

If Penn State loses on Saturday, their season is effectively over. They have no chance to win the Big Ten and certainly no chance to make the College Football Playoff. You better believe they are motivated to show that last week was a fluke.

Penn State will be working to correct the many issues that led to them losing that game. They had three turnovers, missed three field goals from two different kickers, and allowed a two-point conversion. They know that won’t get it done against the Buckeyes.

There are three big things that Ohio State needs to do if they want to leave Happy Valley happy. If they accomplish all three, they will have no issues dispatching the Nittany Lions. The first thing has to deal with their defense, particularly their front.