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Penn State Football: Keys to the Game vs Ohio State

By Corey Hunter

Oct 17, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts after a turnover on downs in the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts after a turnover on downs in the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State University students wave their pompoms during the fourth quarter against the Temple Owls at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Temple 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O”Haren- USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State University students wave their pompoms during the fourth quarter against the Temple Owls at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Temple 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O”Haren- USA TODAY Sports /

Key 4:  Use the Crowd:

The White Out atmosphere is one the best in college football.  The totally white-clad stadium (except for a sliver in the corner of the North end zone) mirrors as one of the best scenes in all of college football.  Penn State needs to use that energy and noise to their advantage.

A stat from StateCollege.com’s Mike Poorman encapsulates how important the crowd will need to be Saturday night.  Penn State is 13-18 all-time against Ohio State.  Here is the truly damning stat though: Penn State is a meager 1-11 against Ohio State when the Buckeyes are ranked No. 5 or better. Penn State’s lone win came in 1964.

Two years ago, the crowd nearly helped the Lions pull off the upset.

They will need to be every bit as instrumental Saturday night if the Lions are going to pull the stunner.  The longer the Lions can keep the game close, the longer and louder the fans will be.  In 2006 and 2014, the Lions pressured Ohio State from the outset.  As a result, the fans continued to back the Lions for a full 60 minutes, or longer.

On Saturday, look for Penn State to feed off the crowd’s energy. Furthermore, I expect the crowd noise to play a part in at least a few Ohio State offensive penalties.

So, lets keep up the noise and make it difficult for JT Barrett to audible or change protection at the line of scrimmage.

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