Episode Details

On Saturday, Penn State football faces its most formidable challenge of the 2022 football season when they host the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. The Buckeyes come into the game undefeated and ranked second in the nation. They’re also one of the country’s most explosive offenses, scoring 40 or more points in every game except week one. To better understand how they’ve done that and what Penn State is facing, Spencer Holbrook joins host Thomas Frank Carr on the BWI Daily Edition. Subscribe to the Blue White Illustrated on YouTube, so you don’t miss the show at 7 pm! 

T-Frank and Holbrook begin the discussion with the Ohio State offense and quarterback CJ Stroud. Yes, the numbers are impressive, but how has he played if you extract Stroud from the playmakers around him? That’s the first thing that T-Frank asks Holbrook to understand the Buckeyes’ trigger man better. Next, Holbrook gives his thoughts on how the redshirt sophomore quarterback has played this season and how Penn State will test him. 

Before discussing the rest of the offense, T-Frank and Holbrook examine the Ohio State running game, which has come on strong in 2022. Next, T-Frank wants to know the difference for the Buckeyes this season and what Penn State’s defense is facing on Saturday. Miyan Williams and Tre’Veon Henderson provide a potent combination, but according to both analysts, the offensive line is the difference. Hear how Ohio State has re-tooled the front four to make a more cohesive unit up front. 

Finally, they discuss what T-Frank thinks makes the Buckeyes click; the receivers. Holbrook details what he knows about the status of Jaxon Smith-Njiba, who is playing through a hamstring injury. They also discuss the play of former Penn State prospect Julian Flemming in his third season with the Buckeyes. The discussion leads T-Frank to ask Holbrook if this group is more talented than the trio last year that featured two top-15 NFL Draft picks. 

Finally, they transition to the defense to discuss the impact of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. What effect has he had on the Ohio State defense? Holbrook and T-Frank describe the differences between the Ohio State team that Penn State faced last season and the team they will see on Saturday. They also dip into the significant changes the team has seen over the previous year relating to scheme and freedom of play from the Buckeyes. 

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