Welcome to halftime of the most important game of the year. We are very lucky that the Ohio State Buckeyes are beating the Penn State Nittany Lions to the tune of 10-6, because things could be much much worse.
Penn State is an elite team and I know fans are probably wanting this game to be a blowout, but that’s just not going to happen. Coming away with a win should be the one and only goal, no matter how ugly it may be.
We have noticed five specific things from the first half that are interesting to monitor. The game is so close, some of the items on this list are just due to pure luck or more deal with the Nittany Lions’ situation.
Penn State is not going away
Nice answer from Penn State after Ohio State had seized most of the momentum. They get three on a 41-yard field goal to cut the Ohio State lead to 10-6.
— Dillon Davis (@DillonDavis56) October 21, 2023
What we observed
As the post states above, Penn State is going to continue to answer and are not the type of team to roll over or be swayed by momentum. Ohio State needs to come out of halftime ready to fight.
Both teams can complain about the refs
The #OhioSt Referees take a 10-3 lead. Better give those same tick tack calls to #PennSt on the other end for these last 2+ quarters!
🤡 Crew out there right now!
— Ryan McIntyre (@Moneyline_Mac) October 21, 2023
What we observed
Although I disagree with the post above, there is some truth. We have seen J.T. Tuimoloau get tackled multiple times and Julian Fleming was getting mugged downfield and that is one of the many calls that were missed, but I suppose Penn State fans have a case as well.
Kneeling Down?
Ohio State, up 10-6 with 3 timeouts at its own 17-yard line with 42 seconds left, kneels down to end the first half. The crowd boos.
Sloppy first half from both offenses.
— Andrew Gillis (@Andrew_Gillis70) October 21, 2023
What we observed
Ryan Day has been adamant about how tough this Ohio State team is to the point he wants to punch an old man to prove it, but tough teams shouldn’t kneel the ball with all three of their timeouts left.
Chop Robinson is out
Chop Robinson is being taken to the locker room on a cart with a towel over his head
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) October 21, 2023
What we observed
All-Big Ten-level defender. Chop Robinson is out and it looks like it may be for a while according to some social media doctors. The Buckeyes and their fanbase shouldn’t root for injuries, but this is a huge loss that will have an effect on the game.
The Swing Play
Well that's a swing we'll remember after the game.
Should be 10-3 Penn State. It's 10-3 Ohio State after the Nittany Lions implode defensively.
— Andrew Gillis (@Andrew_Gillis70) October 21, 2023
What we observed
We have to cover just how lucky Ohio State is that a holding penalty was called, because Kyle McCord was awful on that play and that Nittany Lion touchdown could have been a big hole to climb out of.
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