These are supposedly two of the four best teams in college football, but is everyone buying it? Ohio State was solid in a loss to Oregon, but it was less-than-scintillating in a home win over Nebraska after a two week break. But for all the concern, and all the injuries – more on that in a moment – and the mini-freakout happening, it was still a 21-17 win. Ohio State has allowed more than 17 points just twice since 2022. Once was against Michigan last year, and the other was against Oregon. The team is still pretty good.
Penn State might be unbeaten, but it also hasn’t been anything inspiring. It took too much work – and a few breaks – to get by USC, it pushed past Wisconsin and got the job done against UCLA, but between James Franklin’s press conference issues last week and quarterback Drew Allar’s injury against the Badgers, there’s a lot going on. But with Washington, at Purdue, at Minnesota, and Maryland to close – and with no Oregon, Michigan, or, yeah, Indiana to play – win this, and the Nittany Lions are all but certain to be in the Big Ten Championship.
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Ohio State vs Penn State Preview
Ohio State vs Penn State How to Watch Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024 Game Time: 12:00 pm ET Venue: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA How to Watch: FOX Penn State (7-0), Ohio State (6-1) – Week 10 Schedule, Predictions College Football Playoff Predictions 10 Teams That Might Not Go Bowling Bowl Bubble: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
Why Ohio State Will Win
The Ohio State defense is still humming. Everyone seems to think the Buckeyes are bad at football now after the last few weeks, but the defense allowed just 273 yards of Nebraska offense and clamped down hard late. The D is No. 2 in the nation behind Texas, allows fewer than 12 points per game, and Penn State doesn’t score a whole lot.
Again, star QB Drew Allar is hurt and, at the moment, questionable. Sophomore Beau Pribula stepped in against the Badgers and was brilliant, hitting 85% of his throws for 98 yards and a touchdown. He also runs well enough to be a concern. And now Ohio State will get a whole week to prepare for him as well as Allar. Penn State’s offense is more than fine. The line has been outstanding in pass protection, there’s speed in all spots, and it doesn’t lead to a ton of points. It will take something special to get past 20 points on this Ohio State defense, but …
Why Penn State Will Win
How to describe the Ohio State offense … It’s amazing. It has all the NFL parts you could ask for at most of the skill spots, QB Will Howard is a veteran who has been around the block a few times, and it just seems like this bunch is really, really stressed. It’s like it’s pressing too hard, but it has a way of getting by in key spots on talent, to be basic about it…