DaytonDailyNews.com

Ohio State middle linebacker James Laurinaitis knows he should devote more of his time to dissecting film of Penn State's offense, but he can't keep his eyes from wandering to the other side of the ball.

Although Laurinaitis won the Nagurski Award last year as the nation's top defensive player, he's been eager to study two players who are solidifying the Nittany Lions' reputation as Linebacker U.

Senior All-American candidate Dan Connor is a consummate middle linebacker and has infiltrated opposing backfields for 10 tackles for loss this season. And junior Sean Lee is a mobile run-stuffer who leads the squad with nearly 10 tackles per game.

Laurinatis said he and outside linebacker Marcus Freeman "get caught up more in watching Lee and Connor than we do the offense. ... We've seen them play, and we think they're athletic linebackers. They're tough guys, they're physical. They're great linebackers, and they deserve all the hype they're getting.

"It's going to be an exciting game when you get a bunch of us on the field. When our offense is on the field, I'll be watching Mr. Connor and Mr. Lee and seeing what they're doing out there."

Given OSU's success this season, the PSU pair might sneak a peak at Laurinaitis and his cohorts, too.

The Buckeyes have given up the fewest points (7.9 per game), rushing yards (62.4) and total yards (208.5) in the nation. The first-string defense has allowed just 23 points in eight games, which is exactly what the team's offense (16 points on a safety and two TDs off turnovers) and special teams (seven on a kickoff return) have surrendered.

Laurinaitis and Freeman are first and second on the team in tackles with 64 and 48, respectively, while outside linebacker Larry Grant is first in tackles-for-loss with 7.5.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno said of tonight's clash: "You'll probably see four or five of the best linebackers in the country on the field at the same time."

Laurinaitis believes the OSU defense has been motivated this season to make up for its dismal showing at the end of last year.

Not only did the Buckeyes give up 80 points in their final two games, Laurinaitis said the unit was becoming unraveled even during a 54-10 win over Northwestern a week before the regular-season finale against Michigan.

"If you actually break down that game, we didn't play well at all against Northwestern with our schemes," he said. "We'd come down in wrong coverages and get an interception for a touchdown. And everybody would say, 'Good job.' After that game, we started getting complacent.

"Our focus this year has been, 'Don't be satisfied.' That's really our goal. We can't be happy with what we accomplished yet. We haven't done anything."

The last time the teams met in Happy Valley, Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny spearheaded a 17-10 win with a game-high 14 tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss. And while OSU linebacker A.J. Hawk also had a dominant showing (nine tackles, including three for losses), he was later nosed out for the Butkus Award by Posluszny largely on the basis of that game.

The front-runner for this year's Butkus could emerge tonight, although Laurinaitis believes voters might have a hard time distinguishing between him and Connor.

"In the Big Ten, you've got to be physical," he said. "That's one thing we do the same — we're physical and attacking.

"People sometimes still think of Big Ten linebackers as big meatballs who want to stuff the run all the time. But if you look at it, we can go sideline to sideline, too, if we have to. He's shown that. He's a very good blitzer. He's good at using his hands and getting around blocks. And that's what I'm trying to do, too."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125

or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com

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Penn State linebackers

Dan Connor, sr. (above)

Middle linebacker is poised to become Penn State's all-time tackle leader

Sean Lee, jr.

Big, strong and athletic; makes plays all over the field

Tyrell Sales, jr.

Capable in run support, but replaced on passing downs

Ohio State linebackers

James Laurinaitis, jr. (above)

Middle linebacker has exhibited an A.J. Hawk-like nose for the ball

Marcus Freeman, jr.

Two-year starter has speed to run down opponents

Larry Grant, sr.

Big-play specialist has blocked field goal

and punt this season