Penn State Football: How Nittany Lions close the gap on Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Steele Chambers (22) reacts to a targeting call after he hit Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) during the third quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.Penn State At Ohio State Football /

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Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz during (Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports) /

A new defense

Penn State Football will have a new look on defense for the first time since 2016.

Franklin tabbed Manny Diaz as the new defensive coordinator replacing Brent Pry. While Diaz and Pry have similar styles, there are enough differences to matter.

Diaz loves creating chaos. That is what his defenses strive to create. Diaz loves blitzing and devising ways to make negative plays happen. Penn State has struggled to make Ohio State uncomfortable.

Penn State Football lost the majority of their front seven after last season to the NFL draft. There is a lot of unproven commodities on the defensive line and linebacker positions going forward.

The secondary is the strength of this defense going forward. This should allow Manny Diaz to keep the offense guessing where the pressure is coming from and create more negative plays.

Penn State Football needs a defense that can frustrate and slow down the Buckeyes.

Sure, Brent Pry had his moments against Ohio State. For Penn State to close the gap, they have to have a defense that Ohio State doesn’t want to see.

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