Ohio State football: Confidence level against Penn State

Offense Confidence Level – 6

Ohio State’s offense this season has been good enough. In the past, Day’s offenses have been well-oiled scoring machines, especially through the air. This year, that has not been the case. But they have been good enough when it counted, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.

Whether the Ohio State football team wins by 41, 21, or just by 1, if the Buckeyes win all their games, they will be National Champions. The 2002 Buckeyes proved that to be the case, and it has become evident that this year’s version of Ohio State has more in common with that National Championship team than the team that won it all in 2014.

This will be this offense’s biggest challenge yet. Penn State is giving up on average 121.2 passing yards per game, which is the best in college football. They are only giving up 72.5 rushing yards per contest, which is second-best in all of college football. Meaning this Penn State defense is currently the best statistical defense in the nation.

If Ohio State is going to win this game, they need to do much better than the previous six opponents have against this Manny Diaz defense. First, they need to take care of the football. Being loose with the ball and allowing this opportunistic defense to create turnovers would be a nightmare scenario. Jim Tressel famously said every drive should end in a kick. Whether that kick is an extra point, field goal attempt, or punt. In other words, don’t turn the football over.

Second, they need to find a rhythm offensively and sustain drives. Quick three-and-outs and an inability to complete third downs will put the Ohio State defense in a situation where late in the game they could become tired. Given Penn State’s ability to sustain drives this year, that could be a recipe for an L. That means Ohio State needs to possess the ball just as long as Penn State does.

Third, they need to be opportunistic. Penn State will gamble defensively, meaning someone is going to be open. If this offensive line can give Kyle McCord enough time to find the open receiver, even if that receiver is just a safe dump-off, then so be it. Penn State has not been challenged down the field like Ohio State can and will in this game. When the time calls for it and it won’t set the offense back, Day needs to dial up the long ball and give McCord and this offense a chance to stretch the field.

My confidence level with the offense going into this game is a lot like the coaching staff, ever so slight. I’m at a six for this category as well.