Colin: The Penn State game was the first time Coach Ryan Day and QB Justin Fields faced adversity during the 2019 season. How do you think they handled it? 

Baver: I think the team as a whole handled it very well. For Penn St, replacing an injured Sean Clifford with Will Levis had its advantages. Levis’ running style had OSU out of sorts for a bit. But like they have done all year, this Buckeye D adjusted within a few drives. Chase Young was out there for more plays than he usually is, and looked tired in the 3rd qtr. But after the two short-field PSU TD drives, Chase and the rest of the Buckeye D played with a sense of urgency, blanking PSU the rest of the way. 

I thought some of the decisions from Coach Day were puzzling, but we aren’t privy to the info Day has when making those decisions. He coached another “W”, and that’s what counts. As for Justin, I thought he hung in there well. He had several big runs, some key throws, and drove the O for a much-needed TD early in the 4thqtr. 

Colin: After such an incredibly easy stretch of games, it felt like both the team and the fans were surprised when Penn State actually kept trying to win the game despite being down 21-0. Was this a needed reality check before heading into the Big House? 

Baver: Without a doubt, they needed this. The TO’s caused a 17-point swing in the game, otherwise you are maybe looking at a 35-7 OSU win. But I’ll pass on a 28-pt margin, and take the 28-17 win that included this team’s response to Penn St’s 3rd quarter surge.

Colin: I haven't looked at the snap count, but is it time to say Chris Olave should be on the filed every play no matter how deep our WR rotation is? 

Baver: I don’t know about every play, but I was pretty vocal in the stadium after a first quarter that saw Olave on the field only for a few plays. I have no real issues with the senior Mack getting the start each week in front of him, but Olave is by far the best receiving target they have. No doubt about it, Olave HAS TO play more in Ann Arbor, and HAS TO be targeted more often. 

Colin: Boy, we rode JK Dobbins hard. Any concerns about him or Fields being a little worn out this week?

Baver: I’m not so worried about Dobbins, with him having little wear and tear prior to Penn St. I think JK will be fine. It is Fields that I am much more concerned about. With the lack of pass attempts against a struggling PSU secondary, you have wonder how bad Fields was hurting. And while Chase Young is the best player in the country, Fields is unquestionably the player Ohio St can LEAST AFFORD TO LOSE. 

Colin: Michigan is playing much better and they have to win a game in the rivalry sooner or later. Tell me why this could be their year?

Baver: UM is a far better team at home than on the road, and Shea Patterson has not lost as a starter in Michigan Stadium. As always, their D is very solid. Their offense has probably improved as much as any team’s O over the season, and is certainly not the offense we saw at Wisconsin in Gm 3. And unlike last year, this UM team will not be overconfident. OSU is back at #1 in the playoff ranking, and Michigan has taken plenty of “62 to 19” abuse. 

Colin: Tell me how the Buckeyes get another huge win in Ann Arbor? 

Baver: After this past Saturday, I guess “not turning the ball over” has to get the first mention. I would think Day has spent extra time on ball security this week in practice. OSU’s offense ran the ball 73% of the time against Penn St. If Ohio St is going to throw the ball more Saturday, they need a better effort out of LT Thayer Munford, and Justin has to get rid of the ball quicker. And if Dobbins is having success, giving him the rock 30 times makes sense. 

On defense, OSU simply needs to respect this UM offense. As long as they are healthy, I think this Buckeye D will be fine. It hasn’t gotten much mention, but OSU’s D has not given up 300 yards in any game this year. That’s unheard of. 

Colin: Could the Buckeyes lose and still make the playoffs?

Baver: Yes, as long as they win in Indy....let’s revisit this and some other OSU-UM history Friday. 

Colin: Final thoughts and prediction? 

Baver: Too much panic in Columbus after the Penn St game. Ohio St still dominated the top-10 ranked Nittany Lions, and the final was misleading. I like the matchup of the OSU corners against UM wideouts...this despite the fact that the Michigan WRs have made huge strides. And I expect Chase Young and Dobbins to be game changers.

I think Day will again take a more conservative approach this week, and simply want to secure a win over Michigan. I have this one: Ohio St 31 Michigan 20.

—Brent Baver and Colin Gawel