By Dave Biddle, NN Staff Writer

dbiddle@nittanynetwork.com

April 17, 2009

Years ago, Penn State-Pitt was the big rivalry from the Nittany Lions perspective.

However, with that game long gone, it is Ohio State that has evolved into PSU’s chief rival.

Since joining the Big Ten in 1993, The Lions are 6-10 against the Buckeyes, including 5-3 at Beaver Stadium. Penn State is also fresh off its first victory in Columbus since becoming a member of the Big Ten (the Lions defeated OSU, 13-6, last season).

Ohio State’s players and coaches respect Penn State and think the rivalry grows each year. Nittany Network had the chance to check in with a few Buckeyes earlier this week to get the OSU perspective on Penn State. Obviously, Michigan will always be Ohio State’s No. 1 rival due to the tradition, but the folks in Columbus believe they now have two rivals.

“It’s a huge rivalry between us and Penn State and that’s really the team I look forward to playing the most,” OSU senior safety Anderson Russell said. “I say that just because we’ve had some battles with them and every game we’ve played against them has been a tough battle since I’ve been here. Even two years ago when we beat them kind of bad up at their place (37-17 in 2007), that was still a really good game even though the final score didn’t indicate it.”

This year’s contest between Penn State and Ohio State will be played Nov. 7 in State College (and will likely have a kickoff time of 3:30 p.m. EST).

“I’m looking forward to a great game when we go up there this year,” Russell said. “It’s a great atmosphere and I think they’ll have four new receivers because all those guys graduated. So, it will be interesting to see what they come up with.”

Russell knows Michigan remains at the forefront of the minds of Ohio State fans. But he says inside the locker room, the players believe they have two rivals including Penn State.

“Yeah, definitely, it really is like that because those are the only two teams that we play every year,” Russell said. “Them and Michigan never rotate off our schedule. So, yeah, it’s definitely a big rivalry when Ohio State and Penn State play and it’s just getting better, I think.”

Ohio State safeties coach Paul Haynes thinks the rivalry continues to grow because Ohio and Pennsylvania border each other and because they have proven to be two of the Big Ten’s premier programs. In fact, right now, they are the premier programs in the conference.

Haynes also thinks Beaver Stadium is the Big Ten’s toughest place to play and that adds to the excitement.

“I think it’s a huge rivalry because to me their stadium is a tremendously tough place to play and they never rotate off our schedule,” Haynes said. “I go back to when we went there in ’05 (a 17-10 PSU victory) and it was nuts. It was crazy. And now really when I rate stadiums, that’s my Richter scale. I compare everything else to that Penn State environment that they have.

“The thing about them is you always know they are going to be well-coached and they’re going to be well-prepared and things like that. So, you know you’re going to get a tough football game. Not that you won’t from the other teams in the Big Ten, but just talking about them, I think it’s one of the greatest venues to play in.”

While Ohio State has countdown clocks for the Michigan game in their locker room and weight room, OSU’s coaches feel Penn State looks at the Buckeyes as their biggest rival.

The Big Ten has tried to force a Penn State-Michigan State “rivalry” (they always play the final week of the regular season). However, the truth of the matter is the Nittany Lions want to beat Ohio State more than any other team on their schedule. Michigan is also a team they love to beat, but with the Wolverines struggling of late, OSU is on PSU’s mind.

“Yeah, I know it’s a game that they circle,” Haynes said. “But it’s a game that’s circled for us, too, especially when it’s at their place.

“Because like I said, the environment is tough and it’s always a tough game. I know it’s going to be a big game because they are always one of the teams that’s going to be up there in the mix and you will have to beat them if you want to compete for the Big Ten championship.”

Ohio State cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson says the game is always one of the most physical contests of the year. He also enjoys the tremendous amount of hype that surrounds it.

“I think that is definitely one of those games where it’s always going to be a knockdown, drag-out fight,” Johnson said. “Our guys – well, at least some of our guys – know what that place is all about. We know when we go and play in their stadium that it’s going to be a crazy atmosphere. And when they come here – like last season – it was wild.

“So, they are definitely one of our rivals and tough games in rivalries go with the territory. When you are playing a Big Ten team like Penn State who is established – and they might look at us as their top rival – it’s going to be a battle and it always is between Ohio State and Penn State.”

Yes, that’s right. The first week of November in Happy Valley can’t get here soon enough.