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BCS Clash: #1 Ohio State Battles #25 Penn State in Expected Defensive Duel

Atlanta, GA 10/24/2007 1:05:22 AM

Ohio State, the nation’s No. 1 team, will take on heated rival No. 25 Penn State in Happy Valley on Saturday. The Buckeyes have arguably the hardest road left for any team in contention for the national championship this season.

 

Ohio State faces Big 10 rivals Penn State, Illinois, Wisconsin and No. 20 Michigan to end the season. Illinois was in the top 20 and Wisconsin was in the top five earlier, but after a few losses, they dropped. Each game can be a legitimate upset, so the Buckeyes will be looking over their shoulders for the next month.

 

Penn State is looking to overcome their less-than-spectacular season. They came into the season ranked No. 17 in the nation, but after two straight upsets to Michigan and Illinois, the Nittany Lions fell out of the top 25. Now they are barely back in and are looking to spoil the Buckeyes’ hopes of a national championship.

 

The Nittany Lions had the same thoughts last year as Ohio State was ranked No. 1 in the BCS coming into this game, but they lost in Columbus, 28-6. Anthony Morelli threw 16-for-25 for just 106 yards and three interceptions. Heisman Trophy-winner Troy Smith did not have a great game either, completing 12-for-22 for 115 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Running back Antonio Pittman had 20 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown.

 

Lucky for the Nittany Lions, Smith and Pittman are gone to the NFL. Unlucky for Penn State is that defense is their strong suit this year. The Buckeyes are the nation’s best scoring defense, total defense and pass efficiency defense, not to mention second in pass and rush defense.

 

Penn State will have their hands full with the depth and proficiency of their defense. Linebacker James Laurinaitis looks to improve his statistics from last year. He had 10 tackles (one for loss) and an interception in the win last season. As a surprise player last year, he is the head honcho on this defense this season, along with cornerback Malcolm Jenkins.

 

Ohio State has had to replace a bevy of stars on offense, like Smith and Pittman. Running back Chris Wells is coming off of his career-high against Michigan State in which he had 31 carriers for 221 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Brian Robiskie is doing a great job this season after being overshadowed by Ted Ginn and Anthony Gonzalez. Robiskie has 37 catches for 728 yards and seven touchdowns thus far this season.

 

Penn State’s offense has been depleted by suspensions and lack of production. Running back Austin Scott was suspended Oct. 5 after rape charges. The wide receiver corps of Jordan Norwood, Deon Butler and Derrick Williams was considered by many to be one of, if not, the best group of receivers in the nation. However, no one receiver has gone over 100 yards in a game this season. They are just the eighth-best offense in the Big 10.

 

The Nittany Lions defense, on the other hand, is one of the nation’s best. They are in the top 10 in five defensive statistical categories, including scoring defense and total defense. With linebackers Dan Connor and Sean Lee and defensive end Maurice Evans, Penn State is loaded on the defensive side of the ball.

 

The game will be a defensive battle as the Buckeyes look to manhandle the Penn State receiving corps, while the Nittany Lions look to stop Chris Wells’ running attack.

 

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