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.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c88625ac280f9bae7fd569456ff8e1296ecd5ee15d3e8abdd7a13890f6c29842.jpg)
3. The Ohio State football team must get the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr.
This last key isn’t rocket science. The Ohio State football team must get the ball to its best player as often as possible. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best receiver in the country. If he is in one-on-one coverage, he is going to win that matchup pretty much every time.
Harrison Jr. had two touchdowns last week against Purdue. He is going to need a similar effort to beat Penn State. He is the best weapon the Buckeyes have. Of course, Penn State knows that and will try to make sure Harrison Jr. gets as much attention as possible.
That’s where the health of other players comes into play. It would be a lot easier for the Buckeyes to get Marv the ball if Emeka Egbuka is healthy and out there. That would take some attention away from him and allow him an easier time to get separation.
If Egbuka isn’t out there, it will be up to Ryan Day to scheme Harrison Jr. open with his play-calling. It doesn’t really matter how they get the ball into his hands, they just have to find a way. He is dynamic with the ball in his hands and is a nightmare to keep out of the endzone.
If the Ohio State football team can successfully do these three things, there is no reason why they can’t walk out of the Shoe still undefeated and in control of the Big Ten. If they fail to do even one of these things, they might be taking their first loss at home to the Nittany Lions in quite a while.