Ohio State defensive line’s collision course with Penn State finally arrives: Nathan Baird’s observations

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Three observations from Ohio State football’s 41-7 victory at Purdue on Saturday.

1. I said prior to the season this Buckeyes team might go as far as its defensive line takes it.

That statement referred to the group’s potential ceiling, not its need to raise the floor. Halfway through the season, I’m more convinced than ever. Saturday’s performance reinforced how the four players up front can make this a defense that strangles opponents.

Ohio State fans have waited a long time for J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer meeting “Lady and the Tramp” style at the quarterback. Hudson Card did not appear to enjoy the experience. The five-star duo totaled three sacks.

Tyleik Williams has become a genuine menace to running backs and quarterbacks alike. Mike Hall Jr. continues to loom as a game-wrecker on any given week. Purdue averaged only 3.4 yards per carry through the third quarter, before the outcome was inevitable.

That starting group, you may remember, all contributed to the foundational defensive effort of the 17-14 win at Notre Dame on Sept. 23.

Now they need to do it again.

Like the Iirsh, Penn State features NFL offensive line talent in tackle Olu Fashanu, with center Hunter Nourzad guard Olaivavega Ioane and tackle Caedan Wallace also coming along. Ohio State wants to rattle first-year starting quarterback Drew Allar, but through six games this protection unit has allowed only four sacks.

The running back duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton stumbled through five games, combining to average 4.12 yards per carry. Both put up better numbers Saturday against FCS program UMass, and more importantly, both looked like they belonged among the Big Ten’s best backs last season.

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Ohio State has tipped the Penn State series in its favor in part by winning the battle up front. Go back year by year and you can usually find a new defensive lineman stepping up for a big game. Tuimoloau’s performance for the ages last season may forever endure as the best example.

On top of all of that, those Buckeyes should feel challenged to prove they are the best defensive line in this game. Defensive end Chop Robinson leads a Nittany Lions front that stuffs the run as well as any team in the country.

Tuimoloau, Williams and company continued their upward trajectory at Purdue. If they do it again Saturday they will take the Buckeyes’ playoff hopes into another tier as well.

2. Marvin Harrison Jr. did not need more motivation for the Penn State game. He’s a Pennsylvania native playing (presumably) his final season of college football playing a de facto mid-season Big Ten championship elimination game.

Don’t be surprised if he summons a little extra after Saturday’s performance. The man many consider the best receiver in college football committed three fairly blatant drops. (He wasn’t alone, with Julian Fleming dropping the first pass of the game and Xavier Johnson also failing to sure a catchable one.)

Pro Football Focus docked Harrison with two drops in 45 targets coming into the game. He had only three in 118 targets last season.

Harrison still put up 106 yards and a touchdown on the six balls he did catch. A weird day in wet conditions, but something he might try to make up for quickly.

3. Does the Dallan Hayden redshirt consideration really make sense? Under what scenario does he both have a breakthrough as OSU’s lead back in coming seasons and still stick around for a fifth year?

Ryan Day insinuated after the game that pass protection issues and perhaps ball security remain considerations with the second-year back. Something doesn’t equate, because in games, his next fumble will be his first. (I will concede some apparent shortcomings in pass pro.)

Many of his gains Saturday took advantage of the gaps his blockers created. Johnson and Chip Trayanum capitalized on the same to a similar degree. Hayden sure looks like he has the best vision in the room, though.

The next time the running game stagnates, it would be hard to argue against giving him a shot. Can OSU afford to bypass a potential spark plug for the sake of an extra year of eligibility he likely only uses if his development stalls?

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