Urban Meyer calls Penn State game the ‘Super Bowl’ for Ohio State

November may only be beginning, but the stakes don’t get any higher than Saturday afternoon in Happy Valley when Penn State football takes on Ohio State inside Beaver Stadium. At least, that’s the opinion of former Buckeyes head coach and FOX Big Noon Kickoff commentator Urban Meyer.

Appearing on Lettermen Row’s The Tim May Show this week, Meyer discussed how he would be approaching this top-five matchup if he was still the top man in Columbus.

“I would make this thing simple stupid for that offensive line and get the ball to your best players,” Meyer said. “The skill level at Ohio State is still arguably the best they’ve ever had.”

The Buckeyes are facing a precarious situation along the offensive front. Losing star left tackle Josh Simmons for the year against Oregon in October, Ohio State will also likely be without backup tackle Zen Michalski.

Up against a Penn State defense that is fourth in the nation in yards allowed per game, Meyer explained why the Buckeyes must be willing to put quarterback Will Howard in harm’s way in order to escape State College with a victory.

“And I’d run the quarterback, said Meyer. “I’d run him a lot. I made a comment, I’d run him 15-20 times in this game. He’s the great equalizer. The running quarterback equates numbers for you instantaneously, and it actually forces the team to stop doing a lot of that nonsense [multiple looks]. When you start seeing all the chaotic defense, run your quarterback because you’re going to gain a blocker.

“I understand the concern about not wanting to get guys hurt, but this is it now. This is the Super Bowl. This is the, obviously [there’s] the one at the end of the season [in reference to Michigan], but this is the game.”

Ohio State is 6-1 (3-1 Big Ten) on the year, losing to Oregon in Eugene. The Buckeyes won’t fall out of College Football Playoff contention with a second loss, but with Indiana, Oregon, and Penn State all undefeated in conference play, an unfavorable result could end Ohio State’s Big Ten title hopes.

Kickoff between Penn State football and Ohio State is set for noon inside Beaver Stadium. Saturday’s game will air on FOX.

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