Tyler Warren addresses how Penn State approach vs. Ohio State differs this season
No. 3 Penn State will take on No. 4 Ohio State this weekend in a game that will set the tone for the Big Ten title race the rest of the way, while also carrying significant College Football Playoff implications.
The Nittany Lions have lost seven in a row to the Buckeyes, though, so they’ll have to shake off some considerable recent history to come out ahead.
“I think kind of the way we’re approaching it is it is a new year and however it’s gone in the past, we’ve got this team now that we’re focused on,” star tight end Tyler Warren said on The Triple Option Podcast this week. “I think taking it one week at a time has been big for us. Now it’s this week is Ohio State, so focusing on them will be big.”
Warren is capable of producing huge games for Penn State, like he did in a 33-30 overtime win over USC earlier this month. In that game, he had 17 catches for 224 yards and a touchdown.
It might take that kind of performance from one of the Penn State stars to top Ohio State, which is loaded with talent virtually across the board.
Currently, Ohio State is a 3.5-point favorite over Penn State. That means there’s work to be done for the Nittany Lions.
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But the team isn’t going into it with any notion of suddenly shaking things up.
“Not changing our process up, trusting our process that’s been working so far,” Warren said. “Not changing anything up and staying true to ourselves will be important. I think we’ve done a great job of that all year up into this week, and continuing to do it this week will be big.”
If all goes according to plan, Penn State and coach James Franklin can finally get a significant weight off their backs. Penn State has lost each of the last three meetings with Big Ten rivals Michigan and Ohio State.
Until that changes, it’s hard to take the Nittany Lions too seriously as a bona fide postseason contender. But that’s why they suit up and play.
Penn State and Ohio State are set for a noon ET kickoff on Saturday, with a broadcast on FOX. ESPN’s College GameDay will also be on campus to preview the weekend’s slate.