Ohio State Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Penn State in Week 9
By Shawn Ekwall
Buckeyes’ freshman J.K. Dobbins has been outstanding all season. Let’s not get carried away. I’m not suggesting that Dobbins is better than Barkley. What I’m saying is that Dobbins will have the better game on Saturday. Part of it leads back to my first bold prediction where I said the Buckeyes’ defense will get the upper hand on the Penn State defense. I think the Ohio State front four (and linebackers) will make it tough on Barkley to find seams in the running game.
Granted, the Penn State defense leads the nation in points allowed (9.6 per game). Will the Ohio State offensive line be up to the task? I feel they will. I also believe that Barrett’s improved play forces Penn State to not entirely load the box to stop the Ohio State rushing attack. First order of business will be for Penn State to stop the run, make no mistake. As the game wears on, I see Dobbins busting a few long runs in the third and fourth quarter.
The Ohio State offense has score 54 or more points in its last four games. Barrett has found another gear and Dobbins went over 100 yards two weeks ago against Nebraska on only 12 carries. Dobbins actually has more rushing yards on the season than Barkley (775-757), on 17 fewer carries. The freshman has had a week off, where Barkley played last Saturday night against a physical Michigan defense. Dobbins could (should) be the fresher back.
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Ohio State will have revenge on its mind following last season’s upset in Happy Valley. Barrett, Dobbins, and a relentless Ohio State defense will lead the Buckeyes to victory, handing Penn State its first loss of the year.