Penn State is back on the football field this week after a needed bye week. Penn State will jump into its second game under interim head coach Terry Smith and with starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer in hopes of shocking the college football world. The Nittany Lions are riding a four-game losing streak into this weekend’s road game at No. 1 Ohio State, and the odds are appropriately stacked against the Nittany Lions.
Needless to say, this is a far cry from the Big Ten mega battle most of us expected to see at this point in the season. What could have been a potential No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup as turned into a season of despair for Penn State trying to save some face against all odds. But if you have been paying all of your attention to Penn State’s struggles and the ongoing coaching search updates, you may need a quick refresher on this week’s opponent.
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Here are some questions about Ohio State we served up for Buckeyes Wire lead writer Phil Harrison.
Did Penn State get fooled by Jim Knowles?
Apr 26, 2025; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Jim Knowles walks on the field prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State thought luring Jim Knowles away from Ohio State would help put it over the hump this season. That did not pan out. Was PSU fooled or is there more to the Knowles effect that needs to be known?
Phil: Two things here I’ll mention. I think even Knowles would tell you and has mentioned that his scheme takes some time to implement. It is complex, and it takes high IQ players even some time to get the grasp. Once they do, it’s great, but OSU’s defense got better year over year, so that’s why I think a veteran defense that has learned the scheme is always going to be his best units. We saw the Buckeyes‘ defense get better year over year with Knowles, largely with the same nucleus of players. It’s not something that can be absorbed in short order. I think the timing of this Penn State team, with all of the talent and experience, but without ingesting the Knowles defense, was always going to be a problem. Second, and this is only coming from rumblings inside the program at Ohio State, is that Knowles can be a little abrasive and stubborn. Day had to step in and get the defense to do some different things after the loss to Oregon, and I think that led to some hurt feelings and one of the reasons Knowles moved on. I don’t think he’s as likely to adapt and is more likely to push guys into his system without taking key input from those around him.
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Would Penn State hiring Brian Hartline be a great move?
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, right, talks to quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler during the NCAA football game against the Grambling State Tigers at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.
NLW: Penn State’s coaching search rumor mill has brought Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline into the conversation. What has his impact on the Ohio State program been, and could you see him leaving to be a head coach at Penn State, or anywhere else?
Phil: At some point, Hartline will be a head coach somewhere. When and where is the question. What he has done for the Ohio State program is immeasurable. He is one of the best recruiters out there, and as you know, you can do a lot of things and hide some other areas with talent. More than that, though, he develops that talent and is arguably the best position coach in the country. Ohio State has always had a legacy of great wide receivers, but the guys he’s bringing in now is probably the best we’ve ever seen anywhere at receiver. I know that position has been a trouble spot for Penn State, so you feel good about him being able to improve that position group considerably. Is he ready to be a head coach? Probably not just yet, but there’s a lot to like and build from. I know Ohio State has continually tried to keep him happy with promotions (see offensive coordinator) and will continue to do so because of what he means to the program. But, if you want to be the guy, it isn’t happening until Day is gone, so he might want that chance somewhere.
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The key to Ohio State’s defense in 2025
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia watches warm ups prior to the NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025.
NLW: Ohio State’s defense has been terrific this season, with only one team managing to hit double digits on the scoreboard. What has been the key to success on defense this season for Ohio State?
Phil: Simply put, it’s Matt Patricia. He’s been a home run hire, notwithstanding that there’s still a lot of season to go. Now, I’ll also say that, believe it or not, the new starters (8 of them) is a group that’s more fast-twitch and athletic than last year’s dominant unit, but when you blend that with the NFL scheme Patricia brings, it’s been a wonderful marriage. Patricia is a players’ coach, and the guys love him, and they’ve bought in. Ohio State disguises its coverages very well, and they are principles quarterbacks just don’t see at the college level, so they don’t know where to make reads. The players are also well coached and always seem to be in the right place. Patricia is also very good at observing what an opposing offense is trying to do after just one drive and adjusting.
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The success of Julian Sayin
Oct 18, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
NLW: It feels safe to say Julian Sayin has found his comfort zone leading the Ohio State offense. How would you summarize the first half of the season so far, and how comfortable should Ohio State be with him leading a repeat national title run?
Phil: The coaching staff did it the right way by bringing him along slowly, something you can do with the type of defense the Buckeyes have. Each week, he’s been allowed to do more and more through the air, and he’s shown the ability to handle it all. He is cerebral, has a quick release, and is the most accurate quarterback I’ve ever covered at Ohio State — at least thus far. He leads the nation with an over 80% completion percentage. There’s no doubt that he will continue to be given more and that he’s got what it takes to lead Ohio State to back-to-back national titles.
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How does Penn State stand a chance?
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Ty Hamilton (58) pursues Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
NLW: Is there anything with Penn State that Ohio State should be concerned with at this point, or is Penn State in for a long afternoon that cannot end soon enough?
Phil: I know everyone has Ohio State winning this one easily, but I look at it a little differently. All of Penn State’s losses have come by just one score. This is still a matchup game where the talent on both sides is fairly equal. The Nittany Lions will want to make something of what has been an underwhelming season by beating the No. 1 team and against a team that is a rival at that. I think the game is closer than many believe, and I think the way Penn State pulls that off is by running the ball with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton and controlling the clock and limiting possessions. If the Nittany Lions can make it an ugly, Donnybrook-type of game like Michigan seems to do every year to Ohio State, then yeah, this will be a dogfight. The issue is that Ohio State knows this and will likely put a game plan together against that, so it comes down to execution and which team wins in the trenches.
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Our thanks to Phil for helping us out this week for some insight on Penn State’s next opponent. For more coverage of Ohio State, please be sure to visit Buckeyes Wire.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: What an Ohio State expert told us about Penn State’s next opponent
