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Penn State Football: causes for concern against Ohio State

By Nick Kreiser

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 22: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions arrives at the stadium on the team bus before the White Out game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium on October 22, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 22: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions arrives at the stadium on the team bus before the White Out game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium on October 22, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Penn State Football faces arguably their toughest test yet as the Ohio State Buckeyes come to town for the annual Stripe Out.

The Buckeyes are one of the most talented teams in the nation, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. They are two possession favorites, and for good reason. This will not be easy for the Nittany Lions by any stretch of the imagination.

Though there are many, here are three primary causes for concern that Penn State Football will lose their second game in three weeks and their sixth straight to the team from Columbus.

Cause for concern #1 – Ohio State’s running game

STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 22: Mohamed Ibrahim #24 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers is tackled by Curtis Jacobs #23 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 22, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 22: Mohamed Ibrahim #24 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers is tackled by Curtis Jacobs #23 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 22, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Two weeks ago in Ann Arbor, we saw Penn State’s defense get absolutely gashed on the ground as the Wolverines rushed for over 400 yards. However last week, they turned things around and kept Minnesota–ranked second in the Big Ten in rushing behind Michigan–to well below their season average.

Plus, Mohamed Ibrahim was averaging 6.8 yards per carry entering last week’s matchup, only for the Nittany Lions to hold him to 3.4 yards per carry.

Penn State went from facing the top rushing offense in the Big Ten to the second ranked rushing offense in the Big Ten, to now facing the No. 3 rushing offense in the Big Ten: Ohio State.

Buckeye running backs Miyan Williams (7.0 yards per carry) and TreVeyon Henderson (5.9) are second and seventh in the conference in that particular category. Williams also has nine touchdowns on the season, tied for third in the Big Ten.

Last week’s success would suggest they made some improvements after the Michigan debacle, which very well may be the case, but Ohio State’s offense presents a much different challenge because of how balanced they are.

Against Minnesota, Manny Diaz could sell out to stop the run. That’s not the case this week, as the Buckeyes can throw the ball all over the yard.

With that in mind, can the Nittany Lions limit the Ohio State rushing attack? It certainly won’t be easy.

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