Penn State-Ohio State: Offensive, Defensive Lines Will Carry PSU to the Win

I've been watching Penn State football games for 15-plus years now and have noticed one constant: When Penn State's O- and D-lines win the battles in the trenches, Penn State almost always wins.

A staple of Joe Pa's teams is they do not beat themselves, usually have very few penalties, and do not turn the ball over.  To beat them, you will have to earn it. 

When Penn State's lines have been good, it's usually a pretty good season, and when they are mediocre, the season is usually disappointing.  This year, both lines are great, and it shows.

For years now, I've seen the lines easily push around non-conference foes but struggle against the bigger, stronger teams, like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio State.  

Back in 2005 versus OSU, Penn State's O-line versus OSU's D-line was a push, but Penn State's D-line versus OSU's O-line was a distinct advantage for the Lions, and therefore a close win in a defensive struggle.

Last year, both sides got dominated by OSU's lines, and the game was a blowout.  This year, I see a bit of a reversal of fortunes.

Penn State's offensive line has been completely dominant against every defense they have played.  The lowest scoring output of the season, against Purdue, was not the O-line's fault, but rather due to the inexplicable slipping of the skill players inside the red zone.

Penn State's defensive line has been very good and shown flashes of brilliance, especially dominant against Wisconsin and Oregon State.  With the D-line applying pressure and not getting sealed off on runs, it has allowed the relatively inexperienced linebackers to make plays in space.

The only chink in the defense I've seen this season was against the spread option running quarterback of Illinois' Juice Williams.  If the spread option is run correctly with an athletic quarterback, the misdirection can neutralize any disadvantage on the O-line.  We saw time and again Juice getting past the linebackers to the safeties, gaining good chunks of yardage on his runs.

That brings us to this week.  If Penn State's offense can snap out of the first quarter funk it's been in the last few weeks, it should be able to put up some good numbers.

On the defensive side of the ball, the struggles with Illinois' and Michigan's spread attacks, if even for part of the game, give me heartburn.  Terrelle Pryor's athleticism can change the game, but he still makes the occasional mistake, and the OSU O-line has already given up more sacks this year than all of last year.

I don't think OSU's D-line can get enough pressure to disrupt Penn State's offense, and if Penn State's D-line can get the same penetration we saw USC get against OSU's O-line, Penn State should be able to get out of Columbus with a definitive win.           

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