Lazy media takes are, of course, everywhere, but I find it amusing how many times I have seen reference to "Penn State played OSU close for a half" as evidence of some life in their program.

In reality that 1st half was:

• PSU gets a big play on 1st down, then gets stoned (including being too afraid to try 4-3 at the OSU 42).
• OSU goes 89 yards on 11 plays for a TD
• PSU 3 and out
• OSU goes 71 yards on 11 plays and settles for a FG at the PSU 4 yard line 10-0 Buckeyes
• Penn State puts together a nice drive for a TD -- now 10-7 Buckeyes
• OSU goes 75 yards on 6 plays for a TD -- now 17-7
• PSU gains 12 yards on 6 plays
• OSU gift wraps a fumble on 1st play, on a "safe" play that probably should have been called down for forward progress being stopped
• PSU, to their credit, manages to travel 14 yards for a TD -- which truly is no small feat on Ohio State's defense
• Kneel down for end of half 17-14 OSU

PSU did not "play" the Buckeyes close.  The 1st 7 drives were: OSU = 3 drives, 235 yards, stopped once (at the 4), 17 points & PSU = 4 drives for 127 yards, stopped 3 out of 4, for 7 points.  Then a blip (and getting to the endzone, not a FG, kudos) "kept" the game close.

But anyone with eyes saw a vastly superior team on one side of the ball from the 2nd play on.  PSU showed that Ohio State has to bring their A game to dominate them, but at no point in that game did PSU ever show anything that looked like "they are keeping this game close" and that is a vastly different situation than the past 9 or so times they played.

I was a tad nervous coming into the game.  It seemed like a classic trap game opportunity -- PSU viewing it as their Super Bowl to have one nice thing and would OSU be sharp or might they fall into a brawl where a couple swing plays could create an upset.  PSU could defend the pass and our run game has dominated anyone.  Seemed like there could be risk... But nope.  How much is we are that good and how much is they are just a shadow of the team they were supposed to be, I don't know (I think a mix of both), but I haven't seen a separation like this between these two teams in a long, long time (2015?).

I still think there is a chance the game with Indiana is interesting.  The question to me for Indiana is, can they hold up in the trenches with the big boys, as they failed to last year against OSU and ND.  PSU might be able to outplay them in the trenches (maybe) -- but I think everywhere else the gap will be so large for the Hoosiers it won't matter.  And if PSU doesn't win the point of attack, they might lose by 60.