Ohio State Football: Roundtable and Predictions vs Penn State

Predictions for Ohio State vs Penn State.

Ohio State will be on the road for the second consecutive week. Will the Buckeye offense get back on track after the thriller in Wisconsin?

The contributors at Scarlet And Game will share our takes on how the game will play out and our predictions for the final score.

Dillon Davis: Another week, another classic environment for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes to travel to. Penn State used the bye week to get some guys healthy on the defensive side of the ball, but the Buckeyes should have success running the ball.

Look for Mike Weber to be a major factor on Saturday night. The Nittany Lions carry no secrets on offense. While they may have some new wrinkles coming off of the bye, their only hope of staying in the game rests on Saquon Barkley.

Quarterback Trace McSorley presents a different challenge for the Silver Bullets as he can make plays out of the pocket. Still, the Buckeyes should be able to get consistent pressure on him, making for a long night.

Barkley will get his; he’s the real deal, and he torched Ohio State last year despite being the only weapon they possessed. Can the Buckeyes start fast to neutralize the crowd? I believe so. Ohio State wins, going away, 38-17.

Thomas Scurlock: Ohio State’s game plan against Penn State is not complicated. The Nittany Lions’ defense is currently ranked No. 103 in the FBS against the run allowing 208.8 yards-per-game. The Buckeyes’ offense ranks No. 4 in the FBS in rushing averaging 300.5 yards-per-game.

Their linebacking corp has been decimated by injury. All three starters have been out, but Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell are expected to play Saturday. It may not matter.

This game is about exploiting Penn State’s primary weakness. If the Slobs do their job and get to the second level, Curtis Samuel, Mike Weber and J.T. Barrett will all gain 100 yards and score a lot of points.

Defensively, the front seven needs to contain Saquon Barkley and harass Trace McSorley into making errant throws. Penn State will throw a few wrinkles to try to get some momentum early, but the Silver Bullets should keep them in check most of the game.

As usual, it will be another “Whiteout” game. Beaver Stadium is always loud making it difficult to execute.

This is where Barrett’s leadership and experience are needed. The team needs to come out the locker room ready to play. Scoring on the first offensive drive will go a long way in getting Penn State’s only advantage out of the game.

Between injuries and an inconsistent offense, the Buckeyes should win this game decisively. They just need to take control early and don’t let up. Ohio State wins 45-13.

Dano Opacich: The Buckeyes will have to be ready for Penn State sophomore running back Saquon Barkley, who has amassed 582 yards on 117 carries and 8 touchdowns. With Ohio State coming off a game where they gave up 236 yards on the ground to Wisconsin, they need to re-evaluate how they can slow down Barkley.

Will the “White-out” give Penn State the edge Saturday night? Ohio State quarterbackJ.T. Barrett has played there before and won, even after spraining his MCL. After last week’s 30-23 overtime win in Madison, WS, Barrett will be ready to play at his best ability and never, ever take his foot off the gas.

Prediction: Ohio State 42 Penn State 20

Alex Yoder: I think the Buckeyes will have a strong showing in Happy Valley this weekend. I think Saquan Barkley will have a decent game and find the end zone at least once, however that will likely be all the Nittany Lions can muster on offense.

The Buckeye offense should have a little better of a week than last against a weaker defense this week. I’m taking the Buckeyes 38-14

Hayden Wetmore: The last two weeks I’ve called for a blowout. And I was wrong. Well – the third time is the charm. I truly think the Buckeyes are going to blow out Penn State. And so does Vegas (21 Point Spread).

Ohio State has never beaten Penn State by more than 20 in Happy Valley. Until this year. JT Barrett will have a career game that puts him right in the thick of the Heisman race. I predict 5 touchdowns for #16.

But don’t be alarmed by a slow start… The atmosphere at Beaver Stadium is something special, but they’ll be a non-factor as the game goes on. If Ohio State doesn’t blow out PSU, I’m never predicting a blowout again.

FINAL: Ohio State 52, Penn State 13

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Charlie Lockhart: Keys to an Ohio State win in Happy Valley are simple. Take the crowd out of the game and keep them quiet, and slow down Saquon Barkley. If the Buckeyes allow a few big plays and don’t get Barkley in the ground, it could be a repeat of the thriller in 2014.

Penn State shouldn’t be able to stop Ohio State’s ground game. The Nittany lions have had seven linebackers injured so far this season. If they do, the Buckeyes have serious issues to address going forward.

I think Ohio State will take control at some point and Penn state won’t have the firepower to catch up. I have it 48-13 Buckeyes.

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There you have it, our picks for the Penn State game.

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