Penn State Football: keys to success against the Ohio State Buckeyes

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 22: Curtis Jacobs #23 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with Hakeem Beamon #51 after a play against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 22, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Key to success on defense #2 – make Ohio State one dimensional

Ohio State is about as good as it gets offensively in college football. They have an outstanding passing attack … but they’re almost just as good on the ground.

It’s not realistic to expect the Penn State defense to shut down both the run and the pass in this one (though that would be nice), but if they can shut down at least one of the two and force the Buckeyes to be one dimensional on offense, they can keep them from putting up too many points.

Can Ohio State still score a lot of points if they’re one dimensional? Yes, of course; but it’s far less likely.

I’m not sure which one I’d rather have them stop, but that’s not up to me to decide. Manny Diaz needs to find a way to slow down this offense, and if that means making them one dimensional and forcing them to beat you one way, then so be it.

If Penn State Football struggles to stop both the run and the pass, they have no chance. They’ll have to at least be successful in slowing down one of the two.

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