Although I will admit that I continue to have some issues with both Penn State's OC and DC, I really don't think they were the primary reason why we lost in the Shoe. As some have already suggested, it was an issue of personnel.
Offensively, because of a good lawyer, the Buckeyes have a prototypical elite player at QB in Justin Fields. Neither Clifford nor Levis (whose inexperience limits him) can reasonably be called elite right now--although I make no assumptions about how good they might become. Dobbins is probably an elite RB. Journey Brown is a good back, and Noah Cain is already a good back--and Devin Ford might have the potential to be an elite back--but isn't one now. Ohio State has some borderline elite receivers. Hamler is borderline elite, I think--fast, but drops passes with some regularity. Pat Freiermuth is an elite TE, but I would submit he's the only clearly elite player on offense Franklin's got. I'd suggest that the offensive lines are at least comparable. Bottom line--OSU has more difference-makers on offense, and both are at the most "impactful" positions.
Defensively, OSU has Chase Young, an elite pass-rusher--a huge advantage for that team. Penn State doesn't have anybody comparable. Gross-Matos is a very good player, but he's not a dominant player like Young. I'd suggest that the front seven of the two teams are comparable, but unlike the Buckeyes' DBs, who are excellent, Penn State's aren't.
The Buckeyes will still have Fields for one more season--unless he gets injured. Dobbins will be gone. Young will be gone. Our QBs will have more experience, Justin Shorter might realize that he can be an elite WR, our young DBs are likely to improve our pass defense, and we'll have the Whiteout prepared for OSU. So there's always hope.
Unfortunately, we don't seem to have the luck or cache to attract a truly elite QB recruit, so the surrounding cast will have to make up for that if Penn State going to be able to get to the playoffs in the near future. For now, I'll gladly accept a 10-2 season and hope for a nice bowl assignment.
Offensively, because of a good lawyer, the Buckeyes have a prototypical elite player at QB in Justin Fields. Neither Clifford nor Levis (whose inexperience limits him) can reasonably be called elite right now--although I make no assumptions about how good they might become. Dobbins is probably an elite RB. Journey Brown is a good back, and Noah Cain is already a good back--and Devin Ford might have the potential to be an elite back--but isn't one now. Ohio State has some borderline elite receivers. Hamler is borderline elite, I think--fast, but drops passes with some regularity. Pat Freiermuth is an elite TE, but I would submit he's the only clearly elite player on offense Franklin's got. I'd suggest that the offensive lines are at least comparable. Bottom line--OSU has more difference-makers on offense, and both are at the most "impactful" positions.
Defensively, OSU has Chase Young, an elite pass-rusher--a huge advantage for that team. Penn State doesn't have anybody comparable. Gross-Matos is a very good player, but he's not a dominant player like Young. I'd suggest that the front seven of the two teams are comparable, but unlike the Buckeyes' DBs, who are excellent, Penn State's aren't.
The Buckeyes will still have Fields for one more season--unless he gets injured. Dobbins will be gone. Young will be gone. Our QBs will have more experience, Justin Shorter might realize that he can be an elite WR, our young DBs are likely to improve our pass defense, and we'll have the Whiteout prepared for OSU. So there's always hope.
Unfortunately, we don't seem to have the luck or cache to attract a truly elite QB recruit, so the surrounding cast will have to make up for that if Penn State going to be able to get to the playoffs in the near future. For now, I'll gladly accept a 10-2 season and hope for a nice bowl assignment.
