Saturday’s Ohio State-Penn State matchup is shaping up to be a must-watch game, and for several reasons. Historically, this matchup has favored the Buckeyes, and that appears to be the case once again. However, HC Ryan Day will keep his men focused and take Penn State seriously, no matter the odds. That’s because he faces an all too familiar face who knows his way around the Buckeyes.

The face is, of course, ex-Ohio State DC Jim Knowles. He was an integral part of their successful campaign last season, where they won the College Football Playoff National Championship. He built the Ohio defense into a powerhouse, ranking No. 1 in yards allowed and points allowed. But soon after, he left the Buckeyes to join rivals Penn State. Finding a better replacement would’ve been difficult for Ryan Day, but new DC Matt Patricia has kept the Ohio defense strong this season.

Matt has experience coaching in the NFL (Detroit Lions), but none in college football, which initially raised some concerns. But he seamlessly transitioned into the role. The Buckeyes’ defense is among the best in the country under Patricia, allowing only around 5.9 points per game. And if that wasn’t enough, he has become a favorite in the Ohio dressing room due to his interactive nature, contrary to Knowles. “It was a lot different from the previous defensive coordinator. I talked to Patricia more, probably his first two days here, than I did with our old defensive coordinator my whole time being here,” admitted linebacker Payton Pierce.

Matt’s influence can be seen in Ohio State’s defense being at the very top of almost all defensive statistics. They lead FBS in stop rate at 84.2%. The Buckeyes have only given up 216.9 yards per game, which is an indicator that the defense is one of the best nationally. Matt’s charming nature is a major reason for Ohio State’s success this season, believes Payton Pierce.

“He’s poured into all of us, and he does every single day. I mean, he’s still sitting out here talking to players. Any questions we have, he’s always here to help. Not just in football, but in life. He’s given us different advice and stuff like that, and he’s been through so much, so it’s great hearing from him every single day, and I appreciate him a lot.” Payton expressed. This showcases how Matt Patricia has used his NFL experience, understanding player psychology, and building trust and communication within the team.

So, Payton Peirce’s words could mean that the Buckeyes have moved to an even better place concerning their defense. This builds a revenge element for the game for both the Ohio defense and Jim Knowles on Saturday.

Will Saturday be a one-sided affair, or will PSU surprise Ryan Day?

It is going to be a spicy affair at the Ohio Stadium on Saturday. OSU vs PSU, Julian Sayin vs Drew Allar, Matt Patricia vs Jim Knowles, the list goes on. It’s always exciting when these two rivals meet, but it could be a one-sided win for Ohio State this time. That’s because PSU has not looked like a top team this season, and is winless in its last four games.

The Nittany Lions sit 15th in the B1G with a 3-4 record. Four of those defeats were against B1G opponents, indicating that they are genuinely struggling this season. After James Franklin was fired, Terry Smith stepped up as the interim head coach. He got a good taste of the job at hand, losing his first match against the Iowa Hawkeyes last week.

Odds heavily favor the unbeaten Ohio State, of course. A win for PSU would become one of the biggest upsets of the season, which Ryan Day would look to avoid at any cost.