The Ohio State Buckeyes are riding a six-game winning streak against the Penn State Nittany Lions and Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is being tasked with ending the streak later this month.
Ahead of the October 21 showdown between the two teams, Diaz was asked to give his initial thoughts on playing Ohio State. But in an interesting response, Diaz said that he has “absolutely very strong” opinions and intends to keep them to himself.
“My opinions are absolutely very strong and they’re absolutely going to stay to myself,” Diaz said, via Audrey Snyder of The Athletic.
Diaz clearly doesn’t want to tip his hand at all. He must want to play this situation out like a game of chess.
Manny Diaz said working ahead during the idle week is customary. PSU is doing that this wk, too. What are his preliminary thoughts on Ohio State?
“My opinions are absolutely very strong and they’re absolutely going to stay to myself.”
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) October 3, 2023
Last year Manny Diaz’s defense got embarrassed by C.J. Stroud and the Buckeyes. They gave up 44 points – the most in a Penn State-Ohio State game since 2013 – and the most points they would allow that entire season.
Diaz’s defense is once again proving stout, holding each of their first five opponents to 15 points or fewer – the third-lowest points per game average in the FBS.
Will Diaz’s defense be able to stop Ohio State at Ohio Stadium later this month?