Ohio State Football: 3 Keys for Ohio State to Beat Penn State in Happy Valley

No. 12 Ohio State (5-1) is riding high as it heads to Penn State (4-2) on Saturday for an 8 p.m. ET prime-time game in Beaver Stadium.

The Nittany Lions are limping into the game after back-to-back losses to Northwestern and Michigan, but this is a perfect test for the Buckeyes: a road game, at night, in a hostile environment against a team seeking to avenge last season’s 63-14 thumping. Penn State also has a new coach looking for his first significant Big Ten win. This is exactly the type of game the Buckeyes need to help them prepare for their November 8 showdown with Michigan State in East Lansing.

Can they continue their march back into playoff contention and leave Happy Valley with another decisive win? Here are three keys to the game.

Offensive Line

Quarterback J.T. Barrett has earned the praise that is being bestowed upon him right now. Who can argue with 1,176 yards passing with 17 touchdowns and 263 yards rushing and three touchdowns over the last four games? His production has him in the discussion as a potential Heisman candidate. Not bad for someone who was supposed to keep the seat warm for Braxton Miller until he returns from injury next season.

While Barrett has been the star, the key to Ohio State’s surge has been the offensive line. Line coach Ed Warinner is clearly demonstrating once again why he is the best in the business. The protection has been substantially better since the loss to Virginia Tech, and you can see the confidence…

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