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

By Joey Lovell

COLUMBUS, OHIO - OCTOBER 30: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions calls a play during the first half of their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - OCTOBER 30: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions calls a play during the first half of their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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Big Ten, Penn State Football
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 /

4. History

Finally, we look at head-to-head matchups from years past to see if Ohio State has any weaknesses in their armor.

In the first meeting immediately after the 2016 defeat, Ohio State used a massive 529 to 283 total yard advantage to overcome two costly fumbles and squeak out a 1-point victory.

That was a nail biter the entire way, as Penn State used great special teams and the powerful weapon that was Saquon Barkley to go up by two early touchdowns. Ohio State didn’t take its only lead in the game until 4:20 of the 4th quarter and went on to win.

The 2018 contest saw yet another 1-point Ohio State win, is version in the form of a 27-26 OSU triumph. Penn State used a solid recipe for success, as it outrushed and overall outgained Ohio State. The only area that Penn State did not perform better was the turnover battle, where each squad lost one turnover. Penn State led from the first field goal of the game until the 2:03 mark in the 4th quarter, when Dwayne Haskins hit K.J. Hill for a 24-yard TD strike.

The most recent meeting between the two squads occurred last year and had Ohio State walking away as a 33-24 winner. Penn State wasn’t able to muster any success on the ground, managing only 33 yards on 29 carries and losing 2 fumbles.

Penn State football is going to struggle to beat any team when they have such an anemic rushing attack as that.

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