No. 12 Ohio State overcomes Penn State in 2OT, 31-24
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Breaking down No. 12 Ohio State's 31-24 double-overtime win Saturday at Penn State:
THE BIG PICTURE: From the depths of two low points, Ohio State is in position to salvage its season. The first came in August, when potential Heisman Trophy contender Braxton Miller's season-ending injury cast doubts on the wherewithal of an offense often wholly reliant on his game-changing skills. The second came in early September, when the Buckeyes failed to defend their home turf in a 35-21 loss to Virginia Tech.
The Buckeyes, now owners of a five-game winning streak after a 31-24 overtime victory at Penn State, have weathered the storm and come out somewhat clean on the other side — muddied, bruised and bloodied, but owners of just a single loss.
Take note: Somewhat clean. The Buckeyes looked mortal against the Nittany Lions, if largely due to a number of avoidable — and, to Urban Meyer, likely frustrating — self-inflicted wounds. OSU committed eight penalties, several in the span of a single series in the second quarter to take the Buckeyes out of the PSU red zone. The offense found success in spurts but put together just one drive of 50 or more yards. While quarterback J.T. Barrett found lanes on the ground, the Buckeyes had just 52 passing yards at halftime. His pick-six on the second half's opening drive gave the Nittany Lions life, cutting OSU's lead to 17-7, and a second interception in the fourth quarter helped PSU trim the lead to 17-14 with 11 minutes left.
It took overtime and a herculean pair of extra frames from Barrett for Ohio State to survive, and in the process significant questions were raised about this team's place in the championship hunt. How seriously can the Buckeyes be taken among other one-loss contenders when they can't put away a Penn State team still finding its way under first-year coach James Franklin and his staff?
WHAT WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT: The Buckeyes will meet Michigan State on Nov. 8 with a season on the line — the Big Ten East Division crown, the Big Ten title, perhaps even a spot in the College Football Playoff. Yet after such a sluggish win, can we say the Buckeyes are complete enough — cohesive enough, consistent enough, balanced on both sides — to unseat the Spartans from their perch atop the conference? What beats Penn State might not beat Michigan State; an uneven showing, full of penalties and missteps, is not the recipe for success in East Lansing.
Credit is due, however: Meyer and the OSU staff have maintained the Buckeyes' sense of purpose after September's loss to Virginia Tech, even if that looks less and less excusable as the Hokies stumble through Atlantic Coast Conference play. Ohio State's winning streak has vaulted it back into the national race while giving the Big Ten at least two and perhaps three — if we count Nebraska — contenders for the Playoff. Has Ohio State bounced back? No, not yet. But the Buckeyes have given themselves the opportunity to match their preseason expectations.
WHAT WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT, PART II: This was Big Ten officiating at its worst. From a terribly botched replay of an Ohio State interception — an almost comical error by the replay crew — through several questionable calls, flags and spots, neither offense was able to develop any pace or tempo during the second half. As if the offenses weren't spotty enough without the help. The feather in the crew's hat? Calling timeout on Ohio State's behalf before Sam Ficken's game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter — even if Urban Meyer didn't signal for a timeout.
THE DECIDING PLAY: Ohio State walked into Beaver Stadium with a decided advantage in talent, depth and overall team speed — three substantial assets that pinned Penn State behind the eight ball before kickoff. Nevertheless, the Buckeyes failed to put the Nittany Lions away until a fourth-down stop in the second overtime. Thank Barrett, who came up big, and thank your lucky stars. Survive. Advance. Breathe. Exhale.
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Ohio State's most effective offensive plan was also its simplest: Feed sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott. When all else failed — and much did fail — Elliott delivered with 104 yards on the ground, giving the sophomore three 100-yard showings in his last four games. With 635 yards in total through seven games, Elliott is line to become the Buckeyes' second 1,000-yard rusher in as many years.
KEY STAT: Penn State entered tonight allowing a national-best 60.83 yards per game on the ground. Ohio State, which had 84 yards rushing in the first quarter alone, ended with 183 yards on 50 carries. On defense, the Buckeyes held Penn State to just 19 rushing yards.