Ohio State football: Why Penn State game is not an easy win

The Ohio State football team has not had any games that have challenged them since the opener against Notre Dame, and even that game wasn’t close once the fourth quarter got underway. It’s been smooth sailing for the Buckeyes so far this season.

That comes to an end this week with a trip to Happy Valley to take on Penn State. The Nittany Lions will be the first real test that Ohio State has had in 2022. They’ve only lost one game, although it was a blowout at the hands of Michigan. Still, they are coming off a blowout victory of their own against Minnesota a week ago.

Even though this isn’t a night game, Ohio State will still have some challenges to face against Penn State. This is the best offense they’ve faced so far this season. The Nittany Lions can actually move the ball a little bit even though they are far from elite.

The Ohio State football team will have a hostile environment for the first time this year.

This is only the second game this season in which the Buckeyes have gone on the road. The first game was at Michigan State. That wasn’t much of a hostile environment because the Spartans didn’t actually think they could win that game. Penn State certainly thinks they can win on Saturday.

Even though it is a noon game, the fans will still be rowdy for this game. Penn State doesn’t like Ohio State at all, even if Buckeye fans don’t reciprocate the same level of hatred. C.J. Stroud has shown some kinks in the armor recently, including throwing a pick-six in that road game against MSU.

Don’t be surprised if this game is close at halftime. Unlike last week’s game against Iowa, Penn State’s offense might be able to actually do some damage. This is also the first real test the defense has gotten all year. We’re finally going to find out how good it truly is.

There’s a lot on the line for both teams. Penn State still scores 33.4 points per game, good enough for a top-40 scoring offense. They also have a top-20 scoring defense, allowing just under 19 points per game. They are a well-rounded team and should offer a good test for the Ohio State football team.

Don’t count this as an automatic win. Penn State has a history of spoiling Ohio State’s season when they play the Buckeyes in Happy Valley. It’s going to be a good game.