What Penn State's Defense Needs to Do to Handle the Buckeyes Saturday

This weekend against Ohio State will provide a real measuring stick for the Penn State defense. They cannot come out flat like they did against Michigan.

I really think that the Buckeyes offense plays right to Penn State's defensive strengths. Ohio State will try to come out and make a statement with Terrell Pryor. PSU should be up to the task. Here are the keys to victory:

1. The much-maligned Josh Hull must control the interior

Much was made out of Bani Gbadyu playing in the middle, but he is not a true middle linebacker. Hull must take on linemen and fullbacks and free up Navorro Bowman, Tyrell Sales, Michael Mauti, and crew to key on Chris "Beanie" Wells and Pryor.

2. Aaron Maybin, Maurice Evans, Chris Gaines, Bowman, and Mauti must utilize their speed

Everyone thought Evans would be a star this year. Due to his off-field issues, and the emergence of Maybin, Evans has not been a huge star. That being said, he, along with Maybin and Gaines, has the speed to shut down the corners and keep Pryor in front of them.

As far as the linebackers go, Bowman is an absolute stud. Penn State has had some great linebackers recently, but Bowman is at another level when it comes to speed. He should be targeting Pryor all day. Pryor is good, but Bowman can shut him down.

3. Anthony Scirrotto needs to play

Aside from being one heck of a football player, he is a bigtime leader on that defense. I don't care what anyone says, the team will be nervous. If he plays, the team will feel better about its chances. Plus, with Mark Rubin and Drew Astorino, that safety group can help eliminate the safety valves down the middle of the field.

4. Jeremy Boone '08 needs to play like Jeremy Boone '07

One might be a bit optimistic to think the Penn State offense will keep rolling like it has. If the Lions run into trouble, it would be a huge "boon" (sorry about the pun, but I couldn't resist) to the defense to keep the OSU offense backed up.

If the Buckeyes continuously have long fields to play with, coach Jim Tressel will likely keep Pryor on a much shorter leash. In addition, PSU's defense will have more options and can give the freshman different looks.