Fulton Analysis: Discipline is key

The Ohio State defense faces a large challenge on Saturday night in contending with Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead’s scheme – and perhaps the best player in college football in Nittany Lion running back Saquon Barkley.

Moorhead and Penn State operate a run-pass option heavy spread to run offense. Operating out of 11 personnel, Moorhead’s base play is split zone. The offensive line blocks tight zone, while the Y-off tight end blocks back on the end man on the line of scrimmage, resulting in a natural cutback lane.

But the Nittany Lions also use other inside zone variants, including base tight zone and zone-iso.

And Penn State likewise uses standard spread gap schemes like dart and power read.

In addition, Moorhead builds run-pass options into most run plays, allowing quarterback Trace McSorley to read a play side linebacker to determine whether to throw a hitch or slant.