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Kirk Herbstreit provides keys to Penn State-Ohio State on podcast
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It’s the most anticipated game on the docket this weekend. No. 2 Penn State rolls into Columbus for a showdown with No. 6 Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are donning alternate uniforms, the Ohio State student section is pushing for a “blackout” and three pre-game shows will be in town, including College GameDay. So yeah, this one is kind of a big deal.
ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit couldn’t wait until Saturday to break down this colossal match-up, so he decided to highlight some points during the Herbstreit & Fitzsimmons podcast.
He talked about one of the key battles in Saturday’s showdown.
“How is Penn State’s offensive line going to play against the Ohio State front?” Herbstreit said. “If there’s an area that’s a real strength and advantage for Ohio State in the entire game, it’s their front against the Penn State (offensive) line.”
In addition to the battle in the trenches, Herbstreit also talked about all of the talented skill position players for Penn State and what the Buckeyes need to do in order to disrupt one of the best offenses in the country.
“It’s more than Saquon Barkley,” he said. “They’ve got DaeSean Hamilton in the slot…they have other great receivers, Juwan Johnson can make great plays. Mike Gesicki, their tight end, can make plays. If you leave guys isolated one-on-one, it’s not a one-man show, it’s five guys that can make you pay for that.
“The answer to that for Ohio State is getting to Trace Mcsorley, affecting his timing with the receivers and affecting the timing of the running game with him and Saquon Barkley.”
After discussing that match-up, Herbstreit switched over to talk about the Buckeyes’ offense. the analyst still isn’t sure how good that unit actually is considering the level of competition over the last five games.
“How much has Ohio State’s offense actually improved with Kevin Wilson as the offensive coordinator, and how much of it has been who they actually have played?” Herbstreit said. “J.T. Barrett’s going to have to make throws, make quick decisions, get the ball out of his hands.
“And will Ohio State be able to run the football?”
Those are all great points by Herbstreit and we’ll all get to hear more of that kind of that analysis on Saturday morning when Herbstreit and College GameDay roll into Columbus.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB