The Nittany Lions finally admitted it.
Saturday's game against No. 12 Ohio State is a really big one, and despite Penn State's one-game-at-a-time approach, the No. 10 Lions have been eyeing it up for some time now.
"It's a very big game," Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark said. "We've been waiting on this one for a while. Obviously it's a really big game with O State and Penn State. Everyone is very excited about it."
There is sure to be an electric atmosphere at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Beaver Stadium when the Big Ten powers kick off. Every Penn State-Ohio State matchup of late has been highly anticipated and equally as entertaining.
It's a game Penn State players and fans mark on their calendars every year. The Lions were eager to broach the subject following their 34-13 victory at Northwestern this past Saturday.
"It's just an amazing atmosphere; I can't really explain it," tight end Andrew Quarless said. "I get goosebumps just being on the field hearing the crowd."
The setting of this Penn State-Ohio State matchup will be different than the past 2 years when the games were played in the evening. With two top 15 teams and two squads jockeying for position in the Big Ten, this matchup had all the makings for a prime-time showdown. But because of a Big Ten rule, which prohibits playing night games in November, this game will kick off in daylight for just the second time in 5 years.
The start time won't matter once Penn State and Ohio State - who are tied for second place in the Big Ten - take the field.
"It should be an awesome game, one of the best of the year," offensive lineman Dennis Landolt said.
The series has certainly revved up over the years. Here's a few reasons why:
* The teams have played every year since 1993, when Penn State joined the Big Ten. Over that span, Ohio State has an 11-5 edge.
* Penn State and Ohio State split the past four games. The Lions' big wins include a 17-10 victory at Beaver Stadium in 2005 and a 9-3 victory in Columbus last season.
* Three of the past four games have kicked off at 7 p.m. or later. There's just something about the night air when these teams get together.
* Both teams were ranked in the Associated Press poll in each of the past four meetings. The Buckeyes were No. 1 in 2006 and 2007 and were victorious both times.
* Much like in 2005 and last season - when Ohio State and Penn State shared the conference championship - this game has Big Ten title implications.
Another added element to Saturday's game is the Terrelle Pryor factor. Pryor - a sophomore quarterback - was heavily recruited by Penn State 2 years ago, but instead chose the Buckeyes.
It's inevitable that the Pryor-Clark comparisons will be made, adding even more intensity to this rivalry.
"You answer the questions and talk about how you feel about it, but at the end of the day it's Ohio State vs. Penn State. Period," Clark said. "It's not Daryll Clark vs. Terrelle Pryor. We're not going to play that type of chess match. That's not what it's about. He's going against our defense and I'm going against theirs. We'll see what happens that way."
That said, this matchup has all the makings of a big game, and the Lions know it.
