Evan Royster has seen enough of the USC-Ohio State game to know how Penn State will prepare against the Buckeyes.

"I think our speed can really be a factor against their defense," Royster said. "We're gonna try to come out and try to beat their safeties deep and their corners deep. We'll try to play our game and see what happens."

If what happened against USC is any indication of what could happen Saturday, when Penn State travels to Ohio State for an 8 p.m. kickoff, Penn State might be able to put points on the board early.

On the Trojans' first touchdown drive, quarterback Mark Sanchez was 4-of-6 passing for 54 yards.

Sanchez was 3-of-4 for 21 yards on the second touchdown drive and finished 17-of-28 for 172 yards and four touchdowns.

USC crushed Ohio State, 35-3, Sept. 13, after building a 21-3 halftime lead.

"That game took a lot out of us as a team," Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "A lot of guys were anxious for that one."

Ohio State has won five games since but only beat Troy, 28-10, the next week and had similar struggles the next three weeks before crushing Michigan State, 45-7, last weekend.

Joe Paterno said Tuesday the team he saw play Michigan State wasn't the same one he'd seen in prior weeks, and linebacker Tyrell Sales said the Ohio State team thrashed by USC isn't the one he'll play this weekend.

Sales, nonetheless, saw some aspects of USC's win over Penn State it might be able to replicate Saturday.

"They were able to get out there against Ohio State, and I don't think there's much separation between a USC and an Ohio State or even Penn State," Sales said. "USC went out there with a mindset they were going to get after Ohio State, and they were gonna play all out and do everything they could to win the game."

USC used a relentless pass rush to hound quarterback Todd Boeckman, who was then Ohio State's starter, and Terrelle Pryor.

Five different Trojans finished with a sack, and there were 10 tackles for loss.

USC's defense, ranked second in the country, is the best statistically Ohio State has played this season. Penn State is ranked ninth, and no other Buckeyes opponent is higher than 44th in total defense.

"USC is one of those teams, they have so much athleticism," Sales said. "They're able to do a lot of things. They might make a few mistakes here and there, but they can make up for it athletically."