Game 9 Preview: Penn State @ Ohio State

Gametime: 8:00 pm

Records: Penn State: 8-0 (4-0), Ohio State: 7-1 (4-0)

Series Record: Ohio State leads, 12-11

TV: ABC

Audio: Here

Weather: 51 degrees, 20% chance of rain.

The dreaded Horseshoe.

Gameday will be there. Herbstreit can barely contain himself.

Words cannot describe how we're feeling going into this game. It's a strange combination of emotions: excitement, nervousness, anger and most of all, trying not to pee ourselves in anticipation. We don't even know what that means, that's how crazy this game is.

Look, we sort of hate it when people define a team's season by just one game. It's just not fair. To be frank, this team has already surpassed our expectations for this season. Before the season, we thought a two-loss campaign would be great. We weren't being pessimistic, just realistic. But here we are, 8-0 and a 2.5 point favorite against Ohio State in the Horseshoe. Eight weeks ago, we would never have believed it. So when we say this game is pretty much the whole season, we mean it.

We can't stand Ohio State. They're smug as hell, their coach is a ninny in a sweater vest, they think they're king shit, and they don't even recognize how much we despise them, which only pisses us off more. And let's not forget what their last three massive choke jobs have done to the reputation of this (semi) good conference.

So the Lions have a job to do tomorrow night in Columbus. They have to go out there and beat the Buckeyes in their own back yard not just to continue this improbable run, but to give a shot to someone else from the Big11Ten to make some noise on a national stage. Ohio State had their shot(s), and they blew it big time.

Now it's our turn.

That's probably as preachy and sentimental as you'll see us get (of course we make no promises). Onto the actual game analysis.

Usually we like to give you a look at both teams and how they match up against one another. But this week we're going to change it up. We all know that our offense is stout. If they can get some momentum early against the Ohio State D (which is not easy, because it is an extremely good defense), we think they'll be alright. Where this game will be won for Penn State is on the defensive side of the ball. On that note, let's take a closer look at the weapons that the Lions will have to contain tomorrow night:

Beanie Wells: Public Enemy #1

We use that nickname for Beanie only with deepest apologies to Maurice Clarett.

Hey, we're not sure if you heard this or not, but Beanie Wells was battling an injury earlier this season! Whoa! Despite that, he is averaging almost 124 yards a game this year, and he just torched Michigan State for 140 and 2 TDs. There's no doubt about it, the guy's a beast. He is huge and he will punish defenders all day long. But he's also very speedy for his size and can make quick cuts when he needs to. He's a tough man to bring down.

Stopping Wells is the key to this game. Ohio State can usually throw out a pretty balanced offensive attack, but this year, everything relies on the ground game. Of course QB Terrelle Pryor is a big part of that too, but stopping Beanie is where Penn State needs to start. Ohio State is dead last in the conference in passing with only 140 yards a game. The Buckeyes hung 45 on MSU last weekend, but Pryor only had 116 passing yards. So the objective is clear for the Lions: stop Beanie on the ground, and that will be a huge factor in winning this game.

Terrelle Pryor: He's Good, But He's Still A Freshman

"I called this press conference to announce...nothing."

What a dick. This guy fits right in at Ohio State. But putting that aside, like we said, the D can't worry only about Wells, they have to watch Pryor on the zone read and scrambling from the pocket as well. The guy does not seem to be that fast, but he has a very smooth running style where he'll lull you to sleep and then burn past everyone on the field. We hate to play the role of Captain Obvious here, but Penn State absolutely has to make Pryor make plays with his arm.

This kid is a true freshman, and while he's done a good job so far, he is the living definition of "game management." Not to mention, he looked lost at times in the backfield during the Wisconsin game, and we can't count the number of times he's held onto the ball too long this season. Let's see what he can do in a HUGE game, under big time pressure. If he can win this one against a very solid Penn State D, kudos to him. But if he's gonna beat you, make him do it with the arm.

James Laurinaitis: Just Stop Talking About Him Already

You've got to be kidding.

Okay, so we cheated, he's not an offensive weapon. Yes, he is an outstanding defensive player, but for God's sake, can the media stop blowing him for one second? Also, if we see another shot of his Dad in the stands, we're going to vomit. And who allows himself to be photographed like that? Ugh.

Ohio State Player To Watch: RB Beanie Wells
Again, a very obvious pick, but is there anyone more important to the Buckeyes' success? If you say Pryor, you're lying to yourself.

Penn State Player To Watch: Daryll Clark
Pryor isn't the only one who may have to make some big plays through the air. Clark has been nearly flawless all year. Can he keep up his stellar performance in this monster of a game? The dude has shown tremendous poise all year, and we don't see any reason why that will stop this weekend. Besides, he's got a ton of weapons out there. Just avoid the big mistake (ask Morelli about that).

3 Bold Predictions:

• Kevin Kelly ties the Big11Ten record for career field goals after he boots two in this one (suck it, Mike Nugent!).
  
• Royster will outgain Beanie.
  
• Our hair will be gray on Sunday morning.
  

Other Notes

• In case you haven't heard 4,000 times this week, Penn State is 0-7 at the 'Shoe as a Big11Ten member.
• BREAKING NEWS: Mark May just picked Ohio State to win. Shocker.
  

Well, what else is there to say about this one? We're just gonna buckle in and try not to have a heart attack. It's gonna be a hard-fought game, no doubt, and Ohio State is a very good team. But like we said, they had their chance. This year we're the better team, and the guys are going to prove it tomorrow. They win in a close one. Then it's party time:


Game Prediction: Penn State 27, Ohio State 17