Last time the Buckeyes visited Beaver Stadium, Penn State coach Joe Paterno was carried off the field on the shoulders of his players.
If current form holds Saturday, Paterno will leave the premises on his own shield.
There's no happy face to paint on what has transpired in Happy Valley. JoePa's Nittany Lions are spiraling toward their third losing season in four years. The 77-year-old coach runs a creaky outfit of misfits ranked 105th in total offense, 102nd in scoring and passing offense and 107th in run defense.
Good thing he wears his pants about two inches too short because he's wading in some deep doo-doo.
It's gotten so bad Penn State is off to its worst start since 1931 and could finish with the worst record in school history. The Lions need to win three of their last four games just to match the worst record in Paterno's 38 years as head coach.
Their motivation Saturday: Avoid the first five-game losing streak EVER under the coaching icon.
Ohio State-Penn State is supposed to carry more clout. The two programs are among the top 10 in all-time victories and winning percentage and are two of only 10 Division I-A programs with at least 700 all-time wins.
In nine of their past 10 meetings, at least one of the teams entered the game unbeaten. From 1996-98, both teams were unbeaten.
Where have those days gone?
Sadly, the two teams have more in common off the field these days. Eleven Penn State players have been disciplined by the team or law enforcement officials in the past year. A coach with national championships under his belt has seen his pristine reputation take a hit.
Gee, sound a tad familiar?
As much as Penn State would like to salvage some respect by upsetting the Buckeyes, homefield advantage will merely keep it close. And the Lions almost never win the close ones anymore, dropping 10 games by eight points or less in the last three years.
Prediction: Ohio State 20, Penn State 10
Originally published Friday, October 31, 2003
