Ohio State Football: 5 Things We Learned After Penn State

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After falling to Penn State 20-14 in the final home game of the season, many Ohio State football fans are wondering what is left to learn before next week's showdown against Michigan.

Coach Luke Fickell addresses concerns and criticisms at the post-game press conference.

Click "Begin Slideshow" to see five things we learned about the state of the Ohio State Buckeyes. 

1. Ohio State Cannot Be a Slow Starter

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In the last three games, Ohio State has started 0-10 before scoring. The Buckeyes were able to win against Indiana, but even that victory was touch and go for awhile. The offense was slow to react against Purdue and Penn State, and that heavily affected the momentum of the game.

Coach Fickell agreed: "We have to do a better job out the gate. I think that's where it really ended up putting us in a little bit of a bind. Obviously two turnovers to one turnover, it's always a determining factor in a game like this.

All in all, obviously to fall 10-0 again like we've done I think in the last three games...not that you didn't see a fight from the guys and they battled; that's just not good enough."

 

2. Luke Fickell Refuses To Think about Urban Meyer

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With two straight losses, everyone is examining the rumor that former Florida coach Urban Meyer may be the next leader of the Buckeyes. 

Fickell's job is certainly in jeopardy, but he says that it's not a concern right now.

"I don't think this is the time nor the place. We're talking about the game, and we're going to move on and talk about Michigan. And when that comes a point in time, then those are things that are out of my control.

Like I told you, I don't turn the TV on a whole lot. I don't open up the Internet other than the recruiting side of things. Those are the things that I have no control over. So I'm not going to waste a whole lot of my energy on it."

3. Stopping the Wildcat Is Easier Said Than Done

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Penn State wanted to catch the Buckeyes off guard, and interim coach Tom Bradley hoped that running the wildcat would work. It did.

"They're obviously going to continue to use it because it's working well. Not something we had seen them do. But we see it every week, seen it the last few weeks and we'll continue to see it. I don't know it's something that caught you by surprise.

Just we gotta do a better job at stopping it. And some different plays out of it, but it's just part of fundamentals and playing what you see. You got a good idea what's going on. We've got to do a better job," Fickell said.

4. Running the Wildcat Is Easier Said Than Done

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After Penn State ran the wildcat 10 times against Ohio State, coach Luke Fickell tried a play of his own.

In the third quarter, running back Jordan Hall tried the wildcat handoff to Dan Herron. However, the handoff resulted in a muffed ball at OSU's own 11-yard line.

The sloppy handoff gave Penn State the momentum it needed during the second half.

"Not that we've handed it off a ton. But you've seen them [the players] do it. We do it in practice. It's just something that's an execution thing. And those are little things, when it comes down to a good game and a close game, those are the things if you don't execute, they're going to cost you," Coach Fickell lamented at the press conference. 

5. The Season Still Rests on the Rivalry

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At the end of the day, Ohio State fans become concerned with only one game: the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry.

This game can make or break the season, as Coach Fickell attests:

"We know it's from here on out a one game season. And Michigan has always been that way. It will never change. Greatest rivalry in all of sports. And we're going to make sure those guys understand that.

And they [Ohio State] obviously are down and feel bad, and the key is how do you get back up? How do you step up and realize and understand that this is something that you'll remember forever? So that's what we've got to make sure we focus on and make sure they stay focused on."