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Ohio State football: Confidence level against Penn State

By Eric Boggs

COLUMBUS, OHIO - OCTOBER 30: TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of their game at Ohio Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - OCTOBER 30: TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of their game at Ohio Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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The Ohio State Football team seems to have the edge in coaching over Penn State. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Ohio State Football team seems to have the edge in coaching over Penn State. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Coaching Staff Confidence Level – 6

Ryan Day has never lost a game against Penn State. He is a perfect 4-0 with an average winning difference of 11.5 points. A two-score victory over a team with the pedigree of Penn State is impressive. James Franklin on the other hand is an unimpressive 1-8 against the Ohio State football program. His lone win came in 2016 when Penn State was victorious by a score of 21-24.

It would seem that Day has the advantage over Franklin, but let’s take a closer look at who is calling the offense and defense for the Nittany Lions.

Former Ohio State assistant coach Mike Yurcich is in his third year a State College, PA. I don’t know how much of an advantage that is for Penn State. I wasn’t impressed with Yurcich when he was a part of Ryan Day’s first staff in 2019. Apparently, neither was Day, who obviously didn’t bat an eye when Yurcich left after one season to be a part of Tom Herman’s staff in Texas in 2020.

That experience in Austin didn’t last long for Yurcich either as Herman was replaced after the 2020 season. I will be shocked if Yurcich is able to draw up a game plan that confuses Jim Knowles and this Ohio State defense. I won’t say that Yurcich can’t coach his way out of a paper bag, but I will say that if you are going to match wits, advantage Ohio State.

On the other side of the ball, Franklin has former Miami head coach Manny Diaz calling the shots. This is where Penn State might have a coaching advantage. Penn State was improved overall defensively last season and they are even better in his second year as DC.

The Nittany Lions are ranked number one in the Nation in total defense and are plus-10 in the turnover department. The defense has consistently given their offense short fields to operate all season. They disguise coverages very well and have forced quarterbacks into difficult situations through terrific secondary play and great pressure up front.

It is paramount that Day, offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, and offensive line coach Justin Frye have this offensive line ready.

I’m not overly confident that the Ohio State football program has a coaching advantage, but I will say slightly with a score of six.

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