Ohio State Vs Penn State: A Closely Contested College Football Suspense
Table of Contents
Introduction Ohio State vs Penn State
The matchup between Ohio State vs Penn state teams is not only one of the must see’s in college football, it is also fought with pride as the fans, players, and even the coaches get equal prominence. Since both teams belong within the Big Ten, they have invariably been recognized as some of the greatest teams NCAA has to offer and have frequently changed the trajectory of the chase for the College Football Playoffs. The bitter rivalry is basically a mixture of competition, pride, history, and sportsmanship with both teams looking at seizing the upper hand within the already fierce Big Ten. Now let’s analyze what is so serious about this rivalry and provide some examples of its key moments.
History of the Rivalry Ohio State vs Penn State
Ohio State vs Penn State have faced each other on the field for several decades with the first one happening in 1912. However, 1993 was the year when the rivalry could be considered to have started when every meeting after that was nothing short of intense, due to the fact that it was during this time that Penn State joined the Big Ten Conference. Since then, their meetings have almost always been edge-of-the-seat thrillers, with last-minute plays, comebacks, and great athletes playing unforgettable roles.
Head-to-head, Ohio State vs Penn state dominates the series; however, it has gone the other way for Penn State in the playoffs stage. The ones that secure victories are the ones that are usually pivotal to the summation of efforts of these teams in their respective conferences and the race to the College Football Playoff.It is this combination of heightened competitiveness and considerable stakes that leads to the ohio state vs penn state duel always finishing among the most watched matches in the college gridiron throughout the season.
Key Players to Watch
Year-in year-out, ohio state vs penn state face-off and they do not simply take the stage but rather stars of the states, Here are some such players:
- Ohio State’s Quarterbacks: ohio state vs penn state has produced great quarterbacks who seem to perform in crunch times from Troy Smth to Juatin Fields, this enables them to have dependable passers that are a threat to run the football which constantly keeps defenses on high alert. With a history of playing dominant quarterbacks, the Buckeyes always manage to match for their high expectations with regard to their burly passers.
- Penn State’s Defensive Stars: Some of the best defenses within the Big 10 have hailed from Penn state. Players such as Micah Parsons and Saquon Barlow had different expectations, and even today Nittany Lions are synonymous for speed, strong tackling, secondary play and defense as whole.
- Rising Stars: A new campaign is guarantee to yield new stars into the spotlight as it is most often the case in American Football. Be it a long distance receiver or a secondary player known for interceptions, not forgetting a cold kicker in a high pressure match both teams are at their best in an ever increasing rivalry.
Recent Game Highlights
College football history is full of memorable moments and it is with one such monumental match that we now continue our discussion. ohio state vs penn state is surely an eternal rivalry, a battle that always goes down to the wire. Indeed, in recent seasons the pattern that has emerged is that both teams have the insatiable zeal to win, culminating in either a thrilling last minute score or a game deciding fourth quarter touchdown pass. Few games however have been as iconic as these fights:
- 2017 comeback: Ohio state vs penn state infamous win in 2017 against the blue and white team is forever etched in the heads of the fans. With Barrett leading the charge, ohio State vs Penn State managed to pull off an amazing comeback, scoring 3 touchdowns through the sky in the last frame. The polish was for none as the final score stood at 39 – 38 in favor of the Buckeyes. College football is no short of legends, and this game made testimonies of many.
- 2018 classic: The pair met again in 2018 and this time it was the Buckeyes who edged out the defeat – 27 – 26. Once again illustrating the very fine detailer nature of this rivalry, but as they say, ‘in football there are winners and losers.’ In the 2018 edition of the great rivalry, Haskins threw the winning touchdown pass to K.J. Hill.
Fan Expectations and Atmosphere
A strong but not very relevant aspect of the rivalry between ohio state vs penn state is the energy. Supporters of both teams show up with storm intensity, making the opposing base don a “white-out” or a “scarlet-out” effect in the stands. Whether the match is in Ohio Stadium which is also referred to as “The Horseshoe” or Beaver Stadium, the crowd is a whirling frenzy.
Fans from both camps cannot wait for the kicks to be penalised as they expect a tight contest with every yard that is gained or every point that is scored evoking wild roars or gasps. Such intense devotion from fans makes it easier for players to go all out and often becomes a deciding factor in the match. The Sons of the Buckeye and Sons of the Nittany Lion make sure that any game in this rivalry is treated as the finals.
Impact on Big Ten and National Rankings
The Ohio state vs penn state rivalry is quite well known and for the most part affects the Big Ten standings and comes with a label that says ‘implications in the College Football Playoff’. Any team winning the game qualifies for playoff, with the losing team being left wondering what could have been. Because of their achievements as well as their depth in recruiting, both Ohio State vs Penn state as well as Penn State have regularly been contenders for the Big Ten crown and also are ever within the sight of national tangible assets as well. So, the rivalry becomes a battle test for the last two teams standing as they can bring everything on the table.
Conclusion Ohio State vs Penn State
Ohio State vs Penn state. It’s a fascinating college football rivalry that stirs emotions but has a social touch in its own way. It means that every game is not just about winning; it is about stretching the limits of strategy, planning, and effort. With every game that is played, this rivalry gets etched in history, along with its breathtaking moments which leaves fans on the edges of their seats all around the globe. Whenever they meet each year, one thing is for sure – “The Ohio State vs Penn State” will always be up there when it comes to the most important college football fixtures.
FAQs
- Where and how this lauded rivalry between Ohio state vs penn state diehards started to burn?
1912 witnessed the beginning of the rivalry created, but it reached its height peak after the Penn State Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten in 1993.
- Which of the two arranged championship games makes this an engaging storyline?
Ohio State vs Penn state has an edge in the all-time series even though it has not been all smooth sailing for them as most people would have expected.
- Of what significance is this rivalry?
This rivalry is significant in such a way that even in the Big Ten where they both sit top of the charts on numerous occasions vying for the playoff places, the games are critical considerations.
- Stated locations, where do the games about the Michigan State University stand usually?
Games are held at Ohio Stadium (a.K.A. The Horseshoe) Columbus, Ohio, and Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania.
- What is the relevance of this game in the context of birthing of the College Football Playoff?
Based on their ranking, the outcome of either team’s win or loss is crucial for making it to the playoffs which makes this game competitive every year because only the strongest team can stand a chance of qualifying for the college playoffs.
