Penn State Football: The blueprint for an upset over Ohio State

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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) /

3. Discipline

Discipline. Yet another basic tenant of sound football strategy, the team that limits their penalties have an enormous advantage over their more reckless foe.

Using the four Ohio State losses as our initial guide, we find that it lost the penalty yard contest in three out of four those defeats. Only against Alabama in the 2020 National Championship game did Ohio State suffer less penalties and still come up short. When looking at this year’s Buckeye squad, they seem to be a little less disciplined from years past, having already lost four out of seven of the penalty yard contests.

This seems to be one area that Penn State football might capitalize in, as they have gotten the best of their opponents this year, going 4-2-1 in the penalty yard battle this year.

A hostile environment from the Penn State faithful on Saturday will certainly help the Nittany Lions win this key battle.

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