Kirk Herbstreit: Penn State can be dangerous matchup for Ohio State

Kirk Herbstreit believes Penn State can be a dangerous matchup for Ohio State. Prior to the huge Big Ten showdown, Herbstreit joined The Tim May Podcast to relay his thoughts on the challenge the Nittany Lions represent.

First, Herbstreit mentioned the Penn State offense led by offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich as something to be excited about.

“I’ve been around Penn State a bunch this year — I was really excited to see Mike Yurcich get in there .. he brings in a very different offensive attack than what they had a year ago,” said Herbstreit. “I know talking to Sean [Clifford] quite a bit, he has been fired up because it’s turning him loose. Attacking downfield more.”

Penn State raced out to a tremendous start, large in part to the play of Clifford. However, Herbstreit has watched Penn State skid since Clifford was injured early against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Continuing, Herbstreit stated that last weekend’s infamous nine overtime loss to Illinois was an outlier.

“Last week, it’s an outlier based on the way they’ve played all year,” said Herbstreit. “Even the Iowa game — they played pretty well until he got hurt. Then, it was a debacle.

“Penn State is still a dangerous team. I can assure you of that. It’ll be the best defense Ohio State has played up to this point.”

Evidently, Herbstreit believes Penn State won’t be a walk in the park for Ohio State. If the Buckeyes take the Nittany Lions lightly, it could be a disaster for Ohio State.

Herbstreit: ‘They have a chance to salvage their season by beating Ohio State in Columbus.’

Moreover, Herbstreit claimed that this weekend is “Statement Saturday in the Big Ten. With  Ohio State and Penn State facing off and the undefeated matchup between Michigan and Michigan State, this could be a memorable weekend for the conference.

Many have already, but Herbstreit isn’t writing off Penn State just yet.

“They have been backed into a corner,” Herbstreit said. “They have a chance to salvage their season by beating Ohio State in Columbus. I don’t know if they will, but I expect them to be the kind of team you would expect them to be, and not the team that played against Illinois last week.”

Herbstreit’s biggest concern involves the health of quarterback Sean Clifford, who played against Illinois after suffering an injury in the Iowa game but did not look as sharp as he did pre-injury. Penn State head coach James Franklin has said he expects his quarterback to be ready to go, and they will need to create big plays to keep up with the Buckeyes. 

“Two areas: create turnovers and create explosive plays on offense in the pass game,” Herbstreit added. “Those would be the two things that have to happen, I think, for Penn State to be in this game and try to pull off the upset.”

Herbstreit will be on the call in Columbus, as the game is ESPN’s Saturday Night Football contest. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the Buckeyes are an 18.5-point favorite.