Ohio State at Penn State Preview and Pick

Three of the nation’s top-four teams reside in the Big Ten, with two colliding at Happy Valley Saturday afternoon. The Ohio St. Buckeyes (6-1, 5-0 conference) and Penn St. Nittany Lions (7-0, 4-0) are Nos. 4 and 3, respectively, with the Buckeyes beating the Lions in last seven.

Kickoff at Beaver Stadium (first top-five game there in a quarter-century) is Nigh Noon (ET). 

Quarterback Will Howard (1,795 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, four interceptions) had wanted to go to Penn St. He was a fan of the Lions, only to be told he wasn’t good, at least PSU good.

Instead, Howard played four seasons at Kansas St., then off to Columbus in his final season.

He’s been eying this game against Penn St. ever since he committed to the Buckeyes.

This is also a big hurdle toward a shot at a conference championship, especially since coach Ryan Day’s Buckeyes already have a Big Ten blemish (Oregon) in their record. OSU was a very lethargic 21-17 home winner over the Nebraska Cornhuskers last week,

Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions are 7-0 (third time with coach James Franklin), but problematic at quarterback. Drew Allar is currently a game-time decision after injuring his left leg in the middle of a 28-13 last week over the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison.

It’s the Buckeyes as 3½-point favorites (total at 46), according to college football odds.

Ohio St. is leading the all-time series, either 24-14 or 25-14, depending on the source.  

Winning Their Appeal

In last week’s win over Nebraska, Ohio St. linebacker Arvell Reese was wrongfully assessed a targeting penalty, ejected in the second half.

Per the rules, when a player is ejected due to targeting in the second half, he misses the first half of the next game.

OSU appealed the infraction, winning the ‘challenge.’ Reese is thus available to play the entire game against Penn St. This will leave the visitors with more depth on defense. Though never a starter, he’s a solid contributor this season.

Allar Late Mail

As was mentioned, Penn St. quarterback Drew Allar (1,640 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, four interceptions) missed the second half of last week’s game against Wisconsin’s Badgers (injured leg). His understudy, Beau Pribula, completed 11-of-13 (98 passing yards, one touchdown) as the Nittany Lions finished Wisconsin. 

Ahead of this (Tuesday) writing, it’s still too early to determine Allar’s status, thus both quarterbacks are getting first-team reps in practice.

Pribula hasn’t started a game in his career. It would be incredibly daunting having to make your first start against the Buckeyes, but the sophomore shone against Wisconsin last week.

Back the Bucks

Immediately behind Oregon, Ohio St. is the 8-5 (+160) second choice to win the Big Ten, Penn St. next at 17-4 (+425), as per college football conference odds.

If it ain’t broke…

Ohio St. has owned Penn St. over the past decade. Ryan Day, in his fifth season running the program at Columbus, hasn’t lost to Penn State. Meanwhile, PSU’s James Franklin is just 1-9 against the Buckeyes.

With the questionable status of Nittany Lions’ quarterback Drew Allar, it’s difficult to imagine Penn St., even at home, winning this game.

Ohio St, is more potent (40.3 points/game, sixth in nation) on offense, while stingier (11.9 points/game, second in NCAA) on defense. Granted, some of their efforts this season have barely leapfrogged over the smell test.

PSU is at 33.3 and 14.3, respectively, as in points scored/surrendered per game.

Ohio St. is also a proven commodity at Beaver Stadium, so we are hopping aboard the Buckeye bandwagon. OSU -3½ is our endorsement.