Scarlet and Game
Fansided

Ohio State Football vs. Penn State: 3 keys to victory

By Ryan Stano

Oct. 14, 2023; Lafayette, In., USA;Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) scores his second touchdown of the game during the first half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium in Lafayette.
Oct. 14, 2023; Lafayette, In., USA;Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) scores his second touchdown of the game during the first half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium in Lafayette. /
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Penn State loves generating turnovers, so the Ohio State football team must protect the ball.
Penn State loves generating turnovers, so the Ohio State football team must protect the ball. /

2. The Ohio State football team can’t turn the ball over

There is nothing more that the Penn State defense loves than forcing turnovers. They have the second-best turnover margin in the country at +10. That’s because they force a large number of turnovers. They have forced a whopping 13 turnovers so far this season.

Meanwhile, their offense doesn’t give the ball away. They have just three fumbles this season to go along with no interceptions. They aren’t going to beat themselves. That means Ohio State is going to have to be extra careful in taking care of the football.

Devin Brown had a sloppy fumble at the goal line against Purdue. Such a mistake against Penn State could be the difference between winning and losing the game. McCord does a pretty good job of taking care of the ball, so that needs to continue.

The running backs generally don’t fumble the ball either. In a game where the weather could be a bit dicey, they need to be extra careful to hold onto that ball on runs up the middle. They did a wonderful job of that against Notre Dame. I expect they will do the same on Saturday.

The final key for the Ohio State football team winning this game has to do with one specific player.

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