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Ohio State Football: 5 predictions for Penn State game

By Frank Teriaca

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 18: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes and his players prepare to take the field before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 18, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 18: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes and his players prepare to take the field before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 18, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 16: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 16: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The No. 2 Ohio State football team takes on the No. 8 Penn State on Saturday in the Horseshoe. Here are five predictions for the showdown.

Well, we are finally here Buckeye fans. Meaningful Ohio State football at the end of November. We had to endure back-to-back over-matched opponents to get to this point, but this Saturday the wait will be well worth it.

Coach Urban Meyer brings the Big Noon Kickoff on Fox back to Columbus for the second time this season and ESPN’s College GameDay makes an appearance outside of St. John’s Arena as well. This is what makes college football so great, big game on campus. Nothing gets better than this.

Not only is this the biggest game of the year on the field for head coach Ryan Day, but it is also one of the biggest weekends off the field as well. Hosting a slew of recruits, coach Day and recruiting aficionado Mark Pantoni have a lot on their collective plates.

According to Letterman’s Row, upwards of 100 recruits will be in attendance for this game. Among them will be 2021 five-star commit Jack Sawyer, fresh off his knee surgery for a torn MCL.

Let’s get to the game with five predictions:

Justin Fields has his biggest game as a Buckeye

If Ohio State is going to win this game, Justin Fields is going to have to play his best game as a member of the Scarlet and Gray.

Penn State is very stout against the run. They rank fourth in the nation, only allowing 75.9 yards rushing yards per game. Running backs J.K. Dobbins and Master Teague may find this to be the most difficult rush defense they’ve seen all season.

Justin Fields is going to have to be able to throw the ball on this weak secondary. The Nittany Lions give up over 240 yards passing per game and they got scorched last week by Indiana’s Peyton Ramsey for 371 yards.

Fresh off his best game throwing wise against Rutgers, I look for Fields’ to take that confidence into this game: 23-30 passing, 325 yards and two touchdowns is my prediction for Fields. Look for him to also be able to rush the ball effectively once he loosens up Penn State’s defense through the air.

Next: Chase Young returns in a big way.

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