Who has the best LBs, PSU or OSU?
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[/SIZE][/FONT]</td></tr></tbody></table>By
Sam Ross Jr.
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, October 6, 2005
The linebackers are the crown jewels of the Penn State and Ohio State defenses, each set eager to outshine the other when their teams share the Beaver Stadium field Saturday night.
"You always try to outplay them, and I'm sure they're thinking the same thing," Buckeyes middle linebacker Anthony Schlegel said Wednesday. "I remember last year watching them a little bit when we were off the field. They are playmakers, and they fly to the ball. That's what stands out. That's what other linebackers look at. They've got a lot of good guys, and that's what Penn State has been known for."
The best of the current Lions linebackers is Paul Posluszny, the junior outside man who was honored for the second consecutive week as the outstanding Big Ten Conference defensive player. Posluszny also won the weekly Walter Camp national award for his play against Minnesota, making nine tackles, two of them for losses. A week earlier, he had 22 total tackles against Northwestern.
Posluszny respects the group of linebackers the Buckeyes have assembled, led by returning All-American senior A.J. Hawk, who also had been Big Ten defensive player of the week earlier this season.
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"They've got great players, (an) All-American. Guys who are all-everything football players," Posluszny said. "You can't take anything away from them. They make a lot of plays defensively, so they've got to be up there as one of the best units."
Ohio State's defense, led by those linebackers, is fifth nationally against the rush, allowing 41 yards a game, and fifth in total defense, surrendering 249 yards. Hawk is fifth in the Big Ten, averaging 10 tackles a game.
Penn State's defense, which had its strongest showing to date last week against Minnesota, is 20th against the rush (90.6 yards) and 27th in overall defense (308.6). Posluszny is third in the Big Ten at 11.4 tackles a game.
Joining Hawk and Schlegel in the Ohio State starting group is Bobby Carpenter. Starters besides Posluszny for Penn State are Tim Shaw at the other outside post and Tyrell Sales inside. Dan Connor has played extensively in recent weeks after returning from a disciplinary suspension.
There's little to chose between the two groups.
"I think they're similar from the standpoint they're both sets of linebackers who are very physical, both sets play extremely hard and make plays," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "Obviously, both sets of them diagnose what you're trying to do offensively very well, and they're fast learners."
"The Ohio State guys deserve everything they get in terms of publicity," Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. "They're certainly a group you want to emulate.
"A.J Hawk, he's in another world. He's excellent and plays football the way it's meant to be played, all-out, all the time. I think Paul's time (for All-America recognition) will come when it's right."
So, which group is better? "Obviously, I have a little bit more bias to the Penn State linebackers," Lions quarterback Michael Robinson said. "I think they're the best thing since sliced bread.