The Ohio State quarterback from Pennsylvania taking on the Penn State quarterback from Ohio is just one of the many subplots of this year's clash between the conference rivals.

But Daryll Clark insisted after his Nittany Lions' 34-13 win at Northwestern Saturday that this weekend's game against the Buckeyes is not about individual matchups.

"You answer the questions and talk about how you feel about it," said Clark, a Youngstown, Ohio, native. "But at the end of the day, it's Ohio State and Penn State. Period. Not Daryll Clark vs. Terrelle Pryor. We're not gonna play that type of chess match; it's not what it's about. He's going against our defense and I'm going against theirs. We'll see what happens that way."

When No. 11 Penn State hosts No. 15 Ohio State at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Beaver Stadium will play host to two schools that have combined to win the last four Big Ten titles. The teams have split their last four meetings, and the winner of each of those games gained the conference's top BCS bowl berth that season.

That may not be the case this weekend, as undefeated Iowa sits atop the Big Ten standings. Still, much is at stake for the interstate rivals.

The loser would likely not make a BCS bowl game this season while the winner would still be in the hunt for at least a share of the conference crown.

"It's a very big game," Clark said. "We've been waiting on this one for a while."

Clark didn't get the chance to finish last year's 13-6 win at Ohio State. He was knocked out with a concussion in the second half.

Pryor -- a Jeanette, Pa., native who chose Ohio State over Penn State, Michigan and Oregon when he was the nation's No. 1 recruit in 2008 -- fumbled on a crucial third-and-1 in the fourth quarter with the Buckeyes ahead 6-3.

Lion reserve quarterback Pat Devlin then led Penn State on a pair of fourth-quarter scoring drives.

Ohio State senior safety Kurt Coleman said Monday the loss still stings and that, like last year, the game should again come down to turnovers.

"We gotta be efficient on offense, and we can't turn the ball over, and on defense we have to limit the big plays and we have to get turnovers," Coleman said. "I think the smallest minor details determine the outcome in big-time games."

With three games remaining, the Buckeyes are entering arguably the toughest stretch of their schedule.

Following its game at Penn State, Ohio State will host Iowa and then travel to Michigan for their annual showdown.

"It's gonna be a tough three weeks, but we're excited," Coleman said.