The AP's hot takes on the PSU-Ohio State game:
1. FRESHMAN TEST: A year ago, Christian Hackenberg was a senior playing QB at Fork Union Military Academy. Now he'll be stepping into one of the toughest environments in college football: Ohio Stadium.
2. TIGHT FIT: The Buckeyes have struggled to cover tight ends, particularly against Iowa's three-TE set last week.
3. CRUNCH TIME: The temperatures are expected to just above freezing on Saturday night at the Horseshoe. Cold hands for quarterbacks and receivers may help the Buckeyes, who have a dependable running back in Carlos Hyde.
4. PASSIVE DEFENSE: Even though Ohio State has been methodically going through its schedule, it's not as if the defense has been particularly awe-inspiring.
5. TOUGH SLATE: Things don't get a whole lot easier for the Nittany Lions after coming to Columbus. They play only one team with a losing record the rest of the way.
We are not particularly looking forward to the matchup with the sleuth slew of talented tightends in Penn State's ranks, but the idea of Carlos Hyde toting the rock in near-freezing conditions has us quite excited.
Also: when do you suppose that picture of Jim Tressel and Joe Paterno was taken? It feels like that was about 1983.
