ALTOONA, Pa. -- Penn State is hoping Sean Clifford will be healthy for Saturday's showdown, because as we've learned this season, there's really no hope for the Nittany Lions if Clifford cannot play.
This is as good of a time as any to remind you that Ohio State won the national championship with a third-string quarterback, Cardale Jones, in 2014. He was behind Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett, yet came on after those two were injured and led the Buckeyes to the title.
Penn State, meanwhile, doesn't even feel good enough this year about its second stringer, Ta'Quan Roberson, to play him last week when it was clear that Clifford was only at 50-70 percent in a loss to Illinois.
One after another, Ohio State just rolls out sensational college quarterback after sensational college quarterback. The last two years it was Justin Fields, the No. 11 pick in this year's NFL draft, and when he departed, many wondered what would happen to Ohio State at quarterback.
Well, what has happened is C.J. Stroud taking over and emerging as one of the leading Heisman Trophy contenders in the country through the first half of the season.
- What: No. 20 Penn State (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) at No. 5 Ohio State (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten)
- When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Ohio Stadium
- TV: ABC
- Box Score: ESPN
- Media notes: Penn State | Ohio State
When we talk about Penn State being a great program and Ohio State being an elite program, one of the biggest reasons for that is the major difference at the quarterback position year after year.
Clifford, a three-year starter, has been better this season than he was a year ago. But he got injured at Iowa and was a shell of himself in the stunning loss to Illinois.
Yes, Ohio State lost to Oregon earlier this year. But Stroud threw for 484 yards in that game, which is more than any Penn State quarterback has ever passed for in a game.
Without question, all eyes will be on the two quarterbacks in Saturday's game. Clifford must be fully healthy and must play sensational for Penn State, which has had a lousy running game, to have any chance. Stroud has been phenomenal this season, but this is the best defense he's faced yet, so the Lions' hope is that they'll be able to rattle him and slow him down.
Clifford said Wednesday that he feels good and gave this prediction:
"This week I really, truly believe that I will be at 100 percent by the end of the week. Working really hard doing everything possible to get my body right, and obviously that will help the team in the end."
Even if Clifford is healthy and plays well, there's a good chance the Buckeyes (18.5-point favorites) still could blow out the Lions. Mostly because of Stroud. He has throw for 1,965 yards with 22 TDs and three interceptions while completing 67.6 percent so far.
" He can make all the throws, he looks very poised in the pocket," Penn State safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter said. " He's started to get comfortable with the system and what Coach (Ryan) Day is asking of him. And the thing about it, he doesn't press. He don't try to force balls in there. He tries to make smart decisions, and when it's not there, he either throws it away or he uses his feet to get out of trouble.
"I've been very impressed with him. To be a young young quarterback, a young player in this league, to be doing the things he's doing, it's very impressive."
The big difference between Penn State and Ohio State is that the quarterback doesn't have to do everything for the Buckeyes. The Lions' running game has been a disaster for much of the season, but Ohio State can run the ball well, as it's always been able to do.
TreVeyon Henderson leads the Buckeyes with 693 yards rushing and 11 TDs, and he's averaging a whopping 8.8 yards per carry.
Penn State's leading rusher is Noah Cain, with only 245 yards and average of 3.1 per carry.
Here's my game breakdown:
OFFENSE
Penn State: Clifford may have to throw the ball 50 times for the Lions to have a chance. They will try to establish a running game, but does anyone expect that to work? At the end of the day, Penn State has to keep its offense on the field somehow to rest the defense, and the only way to do that may be throwing on just about every play. Now, the danger in doing that is it opens Clifford up to more hits. He's going to have to get rid of the ball quickly. And when he does take off to run, he'll have to get down and avoid hits. Lions must get Jahan Dotson involved as much as possible and let him make plays.
Ohio State: Sorry, while talking so much about Stroud and Henderson, we didn't even mention yet that the Buckeyes have tremendous receivers in Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Chris Olave. There are weapons everywhere, and the offensive line is outstanding. It's going to be really difficult for Penn State to slow down this offense.
Advantage: Ohio State
DEFENSE
Penn State: This is the Lions' best chance to stay close. They must get stellar play from the D-line in stopping the run, which did not happen against Illinois (357 yards rushing). Yes, Penn State has an outstanding secondary, but those guys are really going to be tested here. If the line doesn't pressure Stroud, he's going to have a lot of time to throw, which will make things even more difficult for the DBs.
Ohio State: This unit had a rough start to the season, giving up 31 points to Minnesota and 35 in a loss to Oregon. But they switched up the playcalling duties, and things have clicked of late. A balanced offense could cause the Buckeyes trouble. But they know Penn State has been awful running the ball, so they should be able to stuff the run and force Clifford to have to do it all.
Advantage: Ohio State
COACHING/INTANGIBLES
Penn State: You cannot convince me that James Franklin is not distracted. It was obvious this week with his slip of the tongue comments in his Tuesday press conference. But Franklin is now more dangerous in that he's backed into a corner and may come out doing some different things. Whether he wants the USC or LSU job, or if he just wants to have leverage over his bosses at Penn State, he's got to overcome that horrendous loss to Illinois and prove that he is indeed worth more money.
Ohio State: Ryan Day is an exceptional coach, and again, the Buckeyes just reload year after year, especially at the QB spot. The defense has some problems, but it looks like the Buckeyes have figured some things out there. It's too bad Penn State didn't get to play the Buckeyes earlier in the season, when Ohio State was still finding itself. Because now that the Buckeyes have regrouped, they look like they can destroy just about anybody.
Advantage: Ohio State
PREDICTION
Ohio State 36, Penn State 20. I think the Lions will be able to move the ball and score some with their passing game, but the Buckeyes' offense is just too good to slow down.