Penn State football interim head coach Terry Smith didn't shy away from Iowa and he's not shying away from No. 1 Ohio State either. As the Nittany Lions (3-4, 0-4 Big Ten) prepare for one of their toughest challenges of the season, Smith's confidence, toughness, and attention to detail become that much more important as Penn State heads to Columbus.
In his 12th season with the Nittany Lions, Smith saw the highs and lows of the Penn State v. Buckeyes (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) rivalry. Now it's his turn to prepare the blue and white for one of college football's biggest powerhouses.
Terry Smith shows no wavering confidence as he prepares for Ohio State
Smith made one thing clear in his weekly Monday press conference: the Nittany Lions are ready to fight. While he respects the Buckeyes, he's tuning out any outside noise, including what the current odds are.
Vegas oddsmakers expect Ohio State to embarrass Penn State in Week 10
“I don't think we've ever been 20-point underdogs since I've been here," Smith said. "But it's motivation. You know, no one believes in us, and we're going to come out and fight like we did in Iowa, but we're going to fight a little harder.”
This mindset filtered throughout the locker room since former head coach James Franklin's departure.
"We're going to do things a little bit differently in the sense of how I would like to do it," Smith said. "Those guys in the locker room have bought into it, so each day we continue to get more camaraderie. Each day, we get closer. Each day we continue to work harder. We have great leadership in the locker room."
Since Smith took control of the Nittany Lions after Week 7, he emphasized focus and discipline on the present moment. He sees himself as a substitute teacher, one who refuses letting anyone take shortcuts. This approach won't falter as Penn State prepares for its biggest battle of 2025.
Terry Smith is prepared to weather the storm no matter how tough it gets
Smith is embracing the underdog mentality to fire up and motivate his team. While others believe 2025 is a wash for the Nittany Lions, Smith is not part of that crowd. His message remains consistent: fight for every yard, every play, and every moment.
". . . Guys have been great. Worked hard. Had a great bye week. They're buying into it. How do we go up and beat Ohio State, the No. 1 team in the country? We have to do it together and be as one."