Penn State's defense could have chosen a better week to try regaining its swagger.

The week of a game against one of the best offenses in the country is typically not the ideal time for a defense to build confidence.

But such is the task facing Penn State's young defense tomorrow, as the Nittany Lions look to come up with a game plan to contain Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., and No. 1 Ohio State's explosive offense.

The Buckeyes average 32 points and 426 yards through their first three games, and have scored 24 points or more in each of their last 10 contests. That stretch began, notably, after Ohio State was held to just 10 points by Penn State's defense last year.

Penn State's defense, on the other hand, has played fairly well, but still has not come up with a clutch turnover in a crucial situation, a la Calvin Lowry against Ohio State a year ago.

After a few missed opportunities at Notre Dame, Penn State's players and coaches have spoken about the need to create more turnovers and muster enough confidence on the field to step up and make the big plays.

"It's confidence to set up a throw and come across and try to intercept the ball," linebacker Dan Connor said of what the unit needs in order to regain its swagger from the past few years.

"It's confidence in yourself to take a risk and make a big play."

Penn State has four interceptions this year, but the Lions failed to create any turnovers against the Fighting Irish two weeks ago.

This year's secondary is still trying to come to terms with replacing four veteran players, including two NFL fourth-round draft picks in Alan Zemaitis (Tampa Bay) and Lowry (Tennessee).

Some have complained that this year's secondary has not yet made a big play when the game is really on the line.

"You've got to be able to recognize the big play when it's happening," hybrid defensive end Tim Shaw said. "Those guys are going to make plays and I have confidence in them. [The team] is going to start getting some picks, batting balls down, tipping some balls."

The Lions will have their work cut out for them this week.

Smith has looked as good at quarterback as anyone in the country through his first three games this year. In fact, Smith really has not had a bad game since last year's loss at Beaver Stadium -- Ohio State's last defeat before its current 10-game win streak.

With a 69-percent completion rate, Smith's efficiency, combined with his lack of turnovers (no interceptions in his last 151 pass attempts) will make it difficult for Penn State to regain that same defensive swagger it has carried over the past few seasons.

One difference in Smith so far this year is that he has become more of a drop-back quarterback, staying in the pocket more often and choosing to run only sparingly when the play breaks down.

"We've noticed in the meeting rooms that he's been throwing the ball a lot more as opposed to last year, when he ran quite a few times," Anthony Scirotto said.

"But last week he showed he still has that run ability. Everyone looks to him to get the job done."

Though it must still be mindful of Smith's athleticism and scrambling ability, Penn State has a lot more respect for the senior signal caller's arm in the pocket this season.

"Last year we didn't see Troy Smith as much of a passer, but he's a lot better this year," Shaw said.

While Smith and his teammates might possess a healthy swagger now, the Penn State defense will look to humble the Buckeyes offense just as it did in last season's 17-10 victory in a raucous Beaver Stadium.

Until tomorrow, though, the Lions will continue trying to regain that defensive moxie.

"We're close," Connor said. "This game will be a key to getting that kind of Penn State defensive swagger back."