Come Saturday, the two will meet in Columbus with different jerseys. But for Derrick Williams and Ted Ginn Jr., school colors might be one of the only differences.

No, the two are not twins. And, no, they are not even the same age. But both are cast in the same playmaker-type mold: Williams the sophomore sensation, and Ginn the established junior.

"When we were in high school, me and Ted, we played a lot of similar positions," Williams said. "I'm pretty sure they gave the ball to Ted whenever he can make a play. Penn State does the same thing here."

Williams was adamant that "Ted is Ted, and I'm myself," but it's difficult not to compare the two. Ginn is the speedy returner/wideout for Ohio State, and Williams plays the same two positions, in addition to seeing time in the backfield.

"We were both kinda like the same-type player: fast, big-play type guys," Ginn said.

Both may be their own men, but the two did cross paths a few times during their early careers. The pair in Happy Valley three years ago during Penn State's Nike camp. And Williams even recalled running a few track meets together in high school -- his team placed fourth, Ginn's came in third. And, according to Ginn, the two were "just cool friends."

The two ended up going their separate ways, but this weekend, both have the same destination with the same goal in mind: Win in Columbus.

A victory for Ginn, and Ohio State would be one step closer towards a national title; a win for Williams, and Penn State is right back into the thick of the Big Ten Championship hunt.

"We just want to go in there and hope that everything falls in our favor and we come out with a win," Williams said.

Of course, that won't be easy. Ginn is the Buckeyes' leading receiver and is a Heisman hopeful along with quarterback Troy Smith. Williams, on the other hand, enters Saturday's contest with only seven receptions and one touchdown.

Still, that didn't prevent Ginn from offering Williams some advice.

"He's just gotta stay poised, and big plays are going to come to him," he said. "You just gotta be patient. Sooner or later, they'll give him the ball, and they'll figure he's a playmaker. They'll give him the rock."

Williams has been close to breaking the big play on special teams, but he hasn't run the ball too well. He has 54 yards on 15 carries.

And fans might be worried about seeing a repeat from the Notre Dame game. Williams said not to worry -- that was a one-time thing where he forced some plays.

"Me, personally, I think that I was just real anxious. I was too hyped up," he said.

It might be difficult for Williams and Ginn not to get excited for this game -- but, for fans at least, it should be easy to get a thrill or two from watching the two playmakers stretch the field.