A struggling offense. An impressive defense that isn't able to completely compensate for it. A team forced to utilize its more mobile backup at quarterback because of an injury to its starter.

Yes, it's rough to be an Ohio State fan these days.

Not the team you were expecting? Neither were the scarlet-and-gray boosters in Columbus.

While Penn State is having its own problems, they'll be staring across the field at an Ohio State side that has been facing the same dilemmas when they meet tomorrow at Ohio Stadium.

"They have struggled a little bit, as we have, with getting some consistency," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said of the Buckeyes. "They have a couple of things going for them that we don't have going for us right now. Obviously, they have struggled. In the sense that they are trying to find a personality, they are probably pretty much like we are."

It's a game that figures to be remarkably similar to last week's game against Iowa -- low scoring and ugly.

Penn State safety Andrew Guman groaned slightly at the prospect of having to prepare for another contest like the 6-4 loss to the Hawkeyes.

"I hope not," Guman said. "We would like to score big. I hope we can play the same kind of defense [tomorrow], knowing that we have to do our job as a defense. This week, we can do a little better, maybe, get some turnovers and score some points for our team."

The Nittany Lions (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) are still looking for their first conference win of the season and a halt to a four-game losing streak that is on the brink of eliminating them from bowl contention.

The offense, particularly the running game, has limped through the Big Ten season and may be forced to start Michael Robinson -- whose athleticism has placed him mainly at wide receiver this season -- if Zack Mills isn't ready to go after sustaining a concussion last week.

On the other side, the Buckeyes (4-3, 1-3) have also had a floundering run game, and don't expect starter Lydell Ross to be back in the lineup yet following an incident at a strip club.

No charges have been filed, but Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has suspended Ross for the time being, and freshman Antonio Pittman has filled in at tailback.

Add in the fact that athletic quarterback Troy Smith has taken the reins from Justin Zwick, who has a slightly separated shoulder, and you have the makings of what would seem to be an inexperienced offense.

But therein lies the difference between Ohio State and Penn State.

Smith and Pittman helped revitalize the Buckeyes offense in last week's 30-7 win over Indiana, while the Lions could not get anything going when they were forced to shuffle personnel.

Tressel offered his diagnosis.

"Offensively is where they've struggled some," he said of the Lions. "The numbers show it. It starts with the turnovers. They've had some turnover problems. They've had a little bit of a consistency problem. I'm sure we'll see [tomorrow] the best Penn State offense that has been seen this year."

Regardless, the Horseshoe has been anything but lucky for the Lions. Penn State is 0-5 in Columbus since joining the Big Ten and hasn't won there since 1978.

With both teams' recent histories against each other and their offensive struggles, however, it's a safe bet that things will be tight. The last three games in the series have been decided by a combined 10 points.

"Ohio State is a close game every year," defensive end Lavon Chisley said. "It's always going to come down to the last play or the last stop."