Behind Enemy Lines: The Ohio State vs. Penn State game from a Nittany Lion fan and media perspective
We’re just a day away from Ohio State heading to Happy Valley to take on Penn State for what should be its biggest challenge of the year to date. It’s a top-fifteen matchup and the Nittany Lions seem to always give the Buckeyes a decent challenge despite only winning one game in the past nine years.
Every week we can, we like to get a view from the opposite sideline, and it just so happens that we have a sister site, Nittany Lions Wire, that can provide some perspective from a Penn State fan’s gaze.
We had a question and answer session with writer Andrew Harbaugh (no relation to Mr. khakis), and he was gracious enough to give us his thoughts on the perception of Ohio State, how things are going in State College, and even a prediction for the game.
So … let’s get crackin’. After all, “We Are” … writing previews and articles for Saturday’s game.
How are Penn State fans feeling about this matchup? Is there optimism?
Nittany Lions Wire (AH): I think there is a sense of nervousness and the thought of “well here goes nothing” heading into this matchup. The fanbase was riding high heading into the Michigan game and that ended up being a rough reality check for the fans and the team. That being said, Ohio State is always a different beast with Penn State. I think they will be better prepared as Michigan really exposed the Nittany Lions a ton and that gave them a lot to get better with. Ohio State will face the best version of this team I feel and because of that, this game could be interesting.
Tell us something about this Penn State team that Ohio State fans should know about?
BH: This team is very reliant on its freshmen talent. On offense, it’s the running backs in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen who are the thunder and lightning of this offense. If they can get going that’s when Penn State finds its most successful approach and handling of the game as a whole. On defense, they have Abdul Carter who has really proven to be a naturally gifted player who has a great sense for making plays and finding the ball. If those three players make an impact on Saturday, Penn State may just win this thing.
After the 2017 game, James Franklin famously said that Penn State wasn't "elite," and that the program would do everything to get there. It hasn't quite panned out that way. Do you see Franklin as the guy that can get the Nittany Lions to the "elite" status?
BH: I am very objective with this team, to the point where I usually get the most attention from readers because of it, I am not a James Franklin fan. He reminds me of the older brother who hasn’t achieved much outside of being born first in the family and that in a sense makes him feel entitled. Franklin has won the Big Ten but that had a lot of Bill O’Brien players on it. This past recruiting class is by far his most impressive since being at Penn State so if that class pans out then maybe he is the guy but to say I am less than enthusiastic about how he handles this team may be an understatement.
Key example, Franklin spent a lot of time this week being “smart” with the media over Sean Clifford and Penn State opening the 2023 Big Ten schedule on the road. Those should not be on your mind the week you play Ohio State.
What is an area you believe Penn State can have success against Ohio State?
BH: I think they can more than hold their own with the Buckeye receivers. Joey Porter Jr. and Ji’Ayir Brown are both going to be fun NFL prospects and can hold their own. Will they shut down the Ohio State receivers? Absolutely not. Can they control the bleeding when they do damage and get some yards? Yes, triage is going to be key against this Ohio State passing game.
What — or who — concerns you the most when it comes to facing this Ohio State team?
BH: The running back duo is what should concern Penn State fans because for me they scare me to death. After seeing Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards rush for 300+ yards as a duo against this Penn State defense then imagine what TreyVeon Henderson and Miyan Williams can do? Ohio State fans should very confident if they decide to be a run-first team because honestly, they could easily replicate the performance that Michigan had earlier this month.
How do Penn State fans view the Ohio State program now? Is it like the evil empire, tower on a hill, or somewhere in-between?
BH: I think they see Ohio State as the popular girl or guy in high school and they wonder “what do they have that I don’t?” It’s more of a jealousy thing than anything else whether they want to admit that or not. Ryan Day has Ohio State as a national championship contender each and every year whereas Penn State seemingly has to completely retool every 2-3 years. They want consistency but just can’t find it, they want what Ohio State has in that department.
Also, along the same lines -- Penn State doesn't really have a traditional rival in the league, but it sure seems like Nittany Lions fans love to hate Ohio State. Does Penn State see the Buckeye program as the top rival in the league? If so, how heated is it for the fanbase?
BH: I would say they are the top rival for sure, case and point it showed when they announced Minnesota would get the whiteout game this year. They want that atmosphere to be for Ohio State to give them whatever edge they can get. This year it’s the “stripe game” which to be honest is a great value version of the whiteout but because they pulled that trick out of the bag it tells me they didn’t want to let Ohio State off easy.
In your opinion, what does this game have to look like in order for Penn State to win this game?
BH: This game has to be kept out of Sean Clifford’s hands and in the hands of the running backs. Penn State can’t get into a shootout with the Buckeyes so they need to control the possession game. Using their stable of running backs to do that needs to be the focus.
Lastly, If you feel so bold and so inclined, give us your score prediction.
BH: I don’t see this being close, to be honest. I think Ohio State wins 45-17.
In closing
Here at Buckeyes Wire, we want to think Andrew Harbaugh for taking the time to give us some much-desired perspective on how this game is being talked about from the Penn State side.
If you know anyone that’s a Penn State fan, or just want to kick the tires around over there to see what else is being said about the game against Ohio State, we encourage you to check out all the good content Nittany Lions Wire has.
And if you want to follow Andrew Harbaugh and his content, you can do so by finding him on Twitter.
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