DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum ***OFFICIAL (1) Ohio St. vs. (24) Penn St. THREAD***

It's time to prove the naysayers wrong! this is a HUGE game for OSU...
The bucks have only won once at beaver stadium in the last 5 outings....odds are stacked against them! GOO BUCKEYESSS


Game Info: 8:00 pm EDT Sat Oct 27, 2007
By MATT BECKER, STATS Writer

Led by its vaunted defense, undefeated Ohio State is in a familiar position - at the top of both the AP Poll and BCS standings.

The top-ranked Buckeyes have not lost a regular-season game in more than two years, but will revisit the site of that defeat Saturday night when they visit 24th-ranked Penn State at Beaver Stadium.

Ohio State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) maintained its position at the top of both the AP rankings and BCS standings after defeating Michigan State 24-17 last Saturday. The Buckeyes have been No. 1 in the BCS for 10 straight weeks after holding the top spot in all eight BCS polls last season and each of the first two of 2007.

They can claim their third consecutive Big Ten title and a spot in the BCS title game for the second straight season by closing out the regular season with four straight victories.
Ohio State has won a school-record 26 straight regular-season games since a 17-10 loss at Penn State on Oct. 8, 2005.

The Buckeyes avenged that defeat with a 28-6 win over the Nittany Lions last Sept. 23 in Ohio Stadium, but this will be their first trip to Happy Valley since losing there.

"Anytime you lose to a team, you want to redeem yourself. Penn State and Ohio State the last couple years have developed a little bit of a rivalry," Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said. "This year, there's going to be a lot of hype around the game. It's going to be a very intense environment."

The Buckeyes will be the first No. 1 team to visit Beaver Stadium since top-ranked Notre Dame beat Penn State 34-23 in 1989. The Nittany Lions are 4-9 all-time against No. 1 ranked teams, including a 2-2 mark at home.

"Obviously, everyone says you have to remain the same, that it's just another team," Penn State cornerback Justin King said of playing a top-ranked team. "But of course, we'll approach it with more intensity, and be ready to play. You only get the No. 1 team so many times."

The Buckeyes have won four of their last five meetings against the Nittany Lions overall, but Penn State has won four of the last five matchups at home and is 5-2 all-time against Ohio State at Beaver Stadium.

The Nittany Lions have won all five of their home games this season, and 18 of 19 at Beaver Stadium since 2005.

The Buckeyes come to Happy Valley boasting the nation's stingiest defense, which is yielding 7.9 points and 208.5 yards per game and has given up just four touchdowns all season.

Last Saturday, they held the Spartans to nine first downs and 185 yards of total offense. Michigan State scored its only two touchdowns on returns.

Buckeyes quarterback Todd Boeckman was 15-for-23 for 193 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw an interception that was returned 54 yards for a touchdown, and his fumble four plays later was returned 25 yards for another TD.

"It's disappointing when you're going along and your defense is pitching a shutout and you give up 14 points," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "I'm not happy that those 14 points count against our defense, the way it looks."

Despite the two-turnover game, Boeckman leads the Big 10 in passing efficiency (161.3).

Sophomore running back Chris Wells rushed for a career-high 221 yards on 31 carries last Saturday, and scored his seventh touchdown of the season on a 5-yard run. The entire Spartans team, meanwhile, gained 59 rushing yards on 28 attempts.

Penn State (6-2, 3-2) is second in the conference against the run, allowing an average of 79.8 yards on the ground. In last Saturday's 36-31 win at Indiana, the Nittany Lions held the Hoosiers to 17 yards rushing in the first 57 minutes.

Penn State has won three straight games to once again crack the Top 25. Joe Paterno's club peaked at No. 10 a month ago before falling out of the rankings after back-to-back road losses to Michigan and Illinois.

"I think if you're going to be a good football team you've got to beat teams with winning records," Paterno said after the Indiana victory. "You can't just beat teams with four or five losses. I think we're getting a little better."

Penn State gained 192 rushing yards last Saturday, and is averaging 223.0 yards on the ground during its winning streak.

Quarterback Anthony Morelli finished 22-for-32 for 195 yards with two touchdowns and an interception against Indiana. Morelli struggled in last year's loss to Ohio State, though, going 16-for-25 for 106 yards and three interceptions.


Updated on Wednesday, Oct 24, 2007 12:10 am, EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/preview;_ylt=ArOh.JqCLExt6MioB.nhty_gzYd4?gid=200710270034

My Bulls are taking on UCONN, then the Bucks @ PSU....

What a Saturday I have..

I wish they'd get off the "revenge" trampoline,....that was 2 years ago. And the Buckeyes had already lost to Texas.

This is a different year, different ballplayers, different situation. They have to get it done, or the season is a joke, just like everyone else thinks it is.

Beating Penn State close will do little to sway the naysayers. And you won't see Tressel beat JoePa 48-3.

Gonna be a long night.

LETS GO PSU!!

It would be hilarious to see JoePa have another episode of digestive tract distress right in the middle of the game and do another 50 yard gallop to the exit..

I would be personally embarrassed for him,...funny or not.

It would/does however point toward the beginning of the end. He needs to retire, even if they win tonite. (It won't be a big deal because Ohio State isn't really the best team in the country,.... )

Quote:

---

because Ohio State isn't really the best team in the country,....

---

Defense is solid regardless of schedule. Ringer got nothing last week. Our offense is substantial enough.

The BCS is what it is. The Ohio State University played a top notch Texas program in back to backs and we have USC the next two years. If we sleaze our way into the Sugar Bowl with a supposed cupcake schedule, then fine. No one thought we had a chance against Miami in 2002 and I think most of Buckeye Nation, including myself, thought the same of Florida last year. Let the talking heads talk.

I favor a playoff and the truth is if we had one in 2002, it is very likely that the Buckeyes don't win the title. Even with a playoff though, the cupcake schedules remain. I tend to think they would increase.

Go Bucks!

I came across a Bucks golfer and caddie today at a golf tournament today... And there was a Gators fan working in one of the booths by the clubhouse, everytime I passed her I said "Go Buckeyes!" I think she thought I was doing it on purpose. Maybe I was...

"Well, your instincts were sound,..." (I don't know why, but I really love that line -- it's from "Papillon.") because the Gators are getting their tails handed to them by my next-to-favorite pack of Dawgs,...

No. 1 Ohio St. seeks respect, No. 24 Penn St. seeks upset
By GENARO C. ARMAS, AP Sports Writer
October 26, 2007

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Undefeated Ohio State wants to feel some love. After all, they're the No. 1 team in the country.

Yet there's a sentiment among some Buckeyes that they aren't getting much respect, something that could change with a win Saturday night at No. 24 Penn State.
It's become more motivating to us because a lot of people think we don't deserve the spot," cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said. "That's just another thing we can put on our bulletin board and get fired up for. It's been quite a motivation for us."

There's reason to worry in this topsy-turvy college football season.

The Buckeyes (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) were ranked eleventh in the preseason poll, but the teams ahead of them have fallen. Losses two weeks ago by LSU and California cleared room atop the polls and Bowl Championship Series standings for the Buckeyes.

"We're glad to be there," fullback Tyler Whaley said. "But at the same time, whether people believe we are No. 1 or not, we have to get out week-in and week-out and prove it."

A suffocating defense that has allowed just four touchdowns all season offers plenty of proof. It's a big reason why Ohio State could tie the Big Ten record of 19 straight conference victories, set by Michigan from 1990-92.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno gave the Buckeyes plenty of deference.

"We've got to play the football we know how to play. And if somebody happens to be as good as Ohio State, you hope you can compete with them," Paterno said. "Whether you can or you can't, you never know until you play. But they're a fine football team."

The Nittany Lions (6-2, 3-2) can be dangerous, too, especially at home coming off a three-game winning streak in which they have averaged 33.6 points.

The offense is clicking behind an improving offensive line that has been opening up running lanes for tailbacks Rodney Kinlaw and Evan Royster. Pocket quarterback Anthony Morelli is getting time to connect with his deep, talented receiving corps.

They'll face their stiffest challenge yet with an Ohio State defense that has held opponents to a measly 7.8 points a game -- tops in the country.

"You got to be every fundamentally sound on the offensive side to be able to compete with them," Penn State center A.Q. Shipley said. "They do a heck of a job staying low, locked down and getting to the ball."

Swarming to the ball is something Penn State does well, too. Their defense is eager to atone for last week's subpar performance, when they allowed 31 points to Indiana's spread attack and athletic quarterback Kellen Lewis.

Two of the country's best middle linebackers, Penn State's Dan Connor and Ohio State's James Laurinaitis, figure to put on a show Saturday night in what may well turn into a good ol' Big Ten defensive slugfest.

A likely sellout crowd of 108,000 or so raucous fans, including the 21,000 in the student section expected to wear all white under the bright lights, could give Penn State another edge.

"We know it's a big game playing the top team in the country. To play it at home in front of our fans is going to be an advantage for us," Connor said. "At the same time, it'll come down to playing football."

Penn State also called for a "whiteout" for their last home game against the Buckeyes, a 17-10 win in 2005. That was the last time Ohio State lost a regular-season game.

"There isn't too much you can do about the noise," Ohio State receiver Brian Robiskie said. "We've just got to do a good job of focusing on not being able to hear the quarterback ... and focus more on signals."

If they can overcome the distractions and win, Ohio State would strengthen its case as a legitimate No. 1 team.

The Buckeyes debuted atop the polls last week by racing out to a 24-0 lead at home before the offense coughed up turnovers on consecutive series that led to scores by Michigan State. Ohio State's defense held for a 24-17 victory.

The schedule doesn't get easier after Penn State, with home games against Wisconsin and Illinois the next two weeks followed by the annual season-ending rivalry game with Michigan at the Big House.

"I know all the teams that we play certainly show great respect, all the teams that we interact with," Tressel said when asked about his players discussing a lack of respect.

"But again, there's 120 teams out there and some people think some are better than others," he added. "That's part of the fun of debating about all of that stuff."

AP Sports Writer Rusty Miller in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=...p&type=lgns

Hey guys...

Georgia won!!! They beat those dreadful gators

This is a good omen......




Brutus stops by to assure the win

HAPPY HALLOWEEN and


GO BUCKS

O-H!

why is jim heacock using so much nickel? you have the top defense in the country, can't you trust your secondary?

LETS GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Buckeyes!

ohio state looks unbelievable right now...

i think the big question is, can boeckman and the offense adjust? that's been the problem all year, they come out of the gates strong, and stumble as the game goes on, the defense adjusts, and the offense does not adjust back...

but man, wells looks like he is on a mission tonight

INT...

That pass was just bad!

Nice game from your dawgs Turk

Nice TD pass!



GO BUCKEYES!

todd boeckman went from looking like rex grossman last week, to tom brady this week

which is weird, because last week he was home against michigan state, and this week he's on the road against a tough defense

i like what i see though, he seems comfortable, and it's sure not hurting that his running game is controlling the tempo

Yes indeed...........he is looking very good!

The crowd is out of the game!

33-10

Kickin Sum Ass!!

The white out got blown out! Muhahaha

Yeah pretty much total domination.

I guess the PSU fans can't argue defenses now. Ohio St. has the best D in the country.

i don't want to seem like the guy looking ahead, but seriously, the buckeyes should roll into the big house on the 18th with no losses...

i really think lsu is going to finish the year with just one loss, and that should get them into the big game, i'm not completely sold on bc...

matt ryan doesn't get 30 seconds to run around the field and chuck it open guys against any legitimate defense... i don't know what happened to virginia tech this year, but they have not looked like the virginia tech of this decade

i think ohio state and lsu are clearly the 2 best teams in the country

I'd throw Oregon in there, they could easily be undefeated

I agree, Oregon is the real deal Holyfield!

Hope this win makes you forget the... K.... I forgot.....lol....GO BUCKS.....better........

I JUST GOT HOME!!!!!


GO BUCKEYESSSSSSs #1 babyyyyyyyy w0000000000000000

you do know oregon lost to Cal earlier this year, undefeated is out the door

Quote:

---

don't want to seem like the guy looking ahead, but seriously, the buckeyes should roll into the big house on the 18th with no losses...

---

You're definitely looking too far ahead.......THE GAME is on the 17th, not the 18th.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUCKS!