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Luzerne County picks up more than 10,000 voters since primary election

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Red Leaf Salad to open second restaurant in Arena Hub Plaza

<p>Shortly after being smashed 49-10 by Michigan last month, James Franklin soberly noted how tough it was to compete with the very best in the country.</p><p>&#8220;What I did learn a long time ago is when you play ranked teams, there&#8217;s a difference between playing ranked teams and top-five teams,&#8221; Franklin said. &#8220;There&#8217;s a dramatic difference. The difference between the 16th or 20th ranked team and the 25th-ranked team is not significant. But these top five teams are top five teams for a reason and they played like it today.&#8221;</p><p>It&#8217;s a reminder of how big the mountain is to climb for the Nittany Lions on Saturday against No. 2 Ohio State.</p><p>Odds are this one won&#8217;t be as one-sided as that trip to Ann Arbor. Penn State actually led the Buckeyes in their last two trips to Happy Valley under Urban Meyer, and the crowd will again be a factor.</p><p>In a matchup of two very young rosters, the Bucks have done an expert job of reloading because the gap in recruiting between them and all but a few other programs in the country is massive. Ohio State doesn&#8217;t have many seniors, but the first-time starters are all top talents who proved they can win a tough road game last week, beating Wisconsin in overtime.</p><p>Here&#8217;s a look at how it all breaks down.<hr/><table style="width: 100%;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/shureshot66/ohio-state-76-.gif" height="113" width="150"/></td><td style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"></p><p><strong>No. 2 OHIO STATE (6-0, 3-0)</strong></p><p><strong>at PENN STATE (4-2, 2-1)</strong></p><p>8 p.m., Saturday, ABC</td><td><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>QUARTERBACK</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/shureshot66/ohio-state-76-.gif" height="113" width="150"/>J.T. Barrett is only a junior and he just broke the Ohio State all-time record for total touchdowns when he tossed the game-winning score in overtime last week. He rebounded from a lousy first half to rally his team and pull out an emotional win. Penn State got a slight warm-up by facing Maryland&#8217;s mobile QBs last time out, but neither of them were a threat to throw. Trace McSorley has been given more freedom to run himself, but he&#8217;ll find it very tough to gain yards against such a fast defense. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>RUNNING BACK</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/shureshot66/ohio-state-76-.gif" height="113" width="150"/>This would be the spot where the two teams are closest, especially as Saquon Barkley begins to hit his stride after a career-best day vs. Maryland. But while you could possibly make the case that Barkley will be the best running back on the field Saturday, the fact that the Bucks have both Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel tips the scale in their favor. Samuel in particular is going to present a problem, as he also doubles as Ohio State&#8217;s top receiver with 13 more catches than his closest teammate. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>RECEIVER</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/>Urban Meyer delivered some high praise to Josh Gattis&#8217; unit this week, saying it was &#8220;by far one of the best groups we&#8217;ve faced in the last few years.&#8221; Last time out, the receivers weren&#8217;t asked to do too much as the Lions dominated Maryland on the ground, but they will be throwing far more frequently on Saturday. Chris Godwin and company will need to get better separation than they did against Michigan. Ohio State&#8217;s top man is Noah Brown, who is the Buckeyes&#8217; favorite target in the red zone with six TDs. <strong>EDGE: PSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>OFFENSIVE LINE</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/shureshot66/ohio-state-76-.gif" height="113" width="150"/>One of Penn State&#8217;s biggest concerns is the loss of tackle Andrew Nelson, which has forced Brendan Mahon to flip over to right tackle with Paris Palmer coming in to play the left. In all, the Lions had a tougher time moving the ball after Nelson went down and Ohio State&#8217;s front seven will be much tougher to deal with. The Buckeyes are outstanding up front with Pat Elflein arguably the best center in the country. Both teams are starting a true freshman at guard in Connor McGovern and Michael Jordan. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>DEFENSIVE LINE</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/shureshot66/ohio-state-76-.gif" height="113" width="150"/>Joey Bosa may be gone, but little brother Nick is now part of the rotation up front and is second on the team in sacks. And he isn&#8217;t even a starter at end &#8212; Tyquan Lewis and Sam Hubbard are the first-teamers, though all of them could give Penn State some problems. As the Lions well know, the Larry Johnson-coached unit is going to be tough to beat. The Lions are going to give more playing time to Curtis Cothran, who should start next to Parker Cothren &#8212; that won&#8217;t get confusing &#8212; at defensive tackle. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>LINEBACKER</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/shureshot66/ohio-state-76-.gif" height="113" width="150"/>All eyes will be on warm-ups for Penn State as Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell both figure to be in uniform after returning to practice this week for the first time since early September. That doesn&#8217;t guarantee that both will be starting or even playing the bulk of the snaps, though Cabinda seems to be the more likely one to make an impact. Even if the Lions were 100 percent, it would be tough to match up against the excellent Raekwon McMillan, who will be a factor against the run and the pass. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>SECONDARY</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/shureshot66/ohio-state-76-.gif" height="113" width="150"/>There are few safeties in the country who can make an impact like Malik Hooker, who already has a Big Ten-best four interceptions to go with six pass break-ups and 29 tackles. His presence can sometimes overshadow two very good cornerbacks in Marshon Lattimore (three picks) and Gareon Conley, who teams try to avoid altogether. Penn State&#8217;s secondary has been solid and safeties Marcus Allen and Malik Golden are going to have to be on their toes against the Bucks&#8217; diverse weapons. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>SPECIAL TEAMS</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/shureshot66/ohio-state-76-.gif" height="113" width="150"/>One of the biggest gaps between these teams last year was at punter as Cameron Johnston was eight yards better per net kick, giving the Buckeyes a dramatic edge in starting field position. The gap should shrink thanks to Blake Gillikin, who looks to be recovered from a minor injury, but Johnston is still one of the best in the business. Ohio State has so many playmakers that Dontre Wilson hasn&#8217;t even been mentioned yet, and he could give the Lions some problems in the return game as well. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>PREDICTION</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm225/shureshot66/ohio-state-76-.gif" height="113" width="150"/>The Buckeyes hit their first rough patch of the season last week and very nearly lost out in Madison. It will be interesting to see how that affects them early on in this one when the crowd will be at its loudest. Penn State badly needs to find a way to start strong and hope things can snowball from there to have any chance in this one. The Buckeyes just have too many athletes at too many positions on both sides of the ball for the Lions to keep up, and that gap will show in the second half. <strong>OHIO STATE 41, PENN STATE 20</strong></td></tr></tbody></table></p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Derek Levarse</p><p>dlevarse@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Prediction time: Penn State vs. Ohio State breakdown