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Ohio State Football: Big Ten predictions for week 9

By Charlie Lockhart

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during warmups before the college football game against the Florida Gators at AT
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during warmups before the college football game against the Florida Gators at AT /
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NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes motions to his team against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes motions to his team against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

Who will win the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Penn State Nittany Lions? Here are our predictions for every Big Ten game this week.

Thomas Scurlock and I routinely make our Scarlet And Game predictions for the Ohio State game. Since the Buckeyes were off last week, we decided to predict Big Ten games.

While the bye week was good for the Ohio State players as they got a much-needed rest heading into the Penn State game, it didn’t bode well for me. I had a three game winning streak over Tom and a 4-2-1 record for the season, but lost last week picking the other Big Ten games.

I shouldn’t have accepted the challenge from Tom as he really stays on top of things in the conference, so I knew I was at a disadvantage. But since I got whipped last week, I’m all in and will attempt to beat my buddy on both the Ohio State and Big Ten picks.

First let’s get to the Ohio State-Penn State game, beginning with Tom’s pick.

TS  A week without Ohio State football and boredom kicked in.  Charlie and I decided we should make predictions on all the Big Ten games instead since the Buckeyes were idle.

That’s a good thing for me.  I need the extra games to catch up against Charlies because he’s been killing me on the Buckeyes’ games.

He has had more confidence in Ohio State’s offense than I have.  I just can’t ignore my skepticism and he has taken advantage.

Nonetheless, we enter week 9 ready to pick the Big Ten games and I intend to dominate and get what is rightfully mine, the weekly title.

Penn State vs. Ohio State

This week brings a whole new challenge as the Nittany Lions come roaring into the Horseshoe ready to make a statement.

After the loss to Oklahoma, I said that the issues that the team had in that game would still be there when the Penn State game arrived.  

I am torn because I also felt that Kevin Wilson’s impact on the offense would be the reason this team wins the College Football Championship this season.

On one hand, my gut says that the offense has not faced a defense that could stop a Division III team let alone one as strong as Penn State’s.

On the other hand, it is difficult to ignore the offensive efficiency over the last five games.

I am inclined to lean toward this offense figuring out Wilson’s system and it is ready to inflict some damage on a real opponent.

The offense is not the only issue.  The Sooners ripped apart the Silver Bullets.

Penn State features the best all-purpose player in college football, Saquon Barkley.  Stopping him is the key to the game.

There is plenty of concern about slowing down Trace McSorley and the Penn State receivers.  That makes sense considering McSorley torched the Wolverines last week, but I believe you take out the best player first, then worry about the other playmakers.

In the end, this game comes down to trench warfare.  While I believe Wilson really wants to execute his will by passing, I think this game will be won on the ground.  J.K Dobbins will be the difference maker.  He will move the chains and keep the Buckeyes offense on the field while keeping Barkley off the field.

Ohio State wins 31-27.

CL  Penn State has one of the top defenses in the country and four big time playmakers. Running back Saquon Barkley is the best running back in the country, and QB Trace McSorley, WR DaeSean Hamilton and TE Mike Gesicki are among the top players at their positions.

With the Nittany Lions coming to Columbus on a roll, and with such a talented roster, it will be quite a challenge for the Buckeyes. They will have to be at the top of their game, and I think they will be. And here are the reasons why.

  • Ohio State is coming off a bye week so the Buckeyes will be rested and had extra time to prepare for the Nittany Lions.
  • Many of the key players remember all too well how much the loss in Happy Valley last year felt. They will be a motivated bunch.
  • And for extra motivation, pundits everywhere are questioning just how good the Buckeyes are since they haven’t played top-tier competition during their five game winning streak.
  • The Ohio State players also know a loss will probably cost them a chance at the Big Ten East title, and any playoff consideration will out the window.

I think Ohio State will come out firing on all cylinders and keep the pedal down.

The Penn State’s talented players on offense won’t be stopped but they will be slowed down.  The high-powered Buckeye offense will also put up more points on the strong Nittany Lions’ defense than most expect.

I have this as a 38-20 win for Ohio State.

Now for our other picks of conference games on tap.

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