Ohio State football vs. Penn State: Official Prediction

The Ohio State football team has two big tests before they can make the Big Ten Championship. They are 7-0 right now and face the first of those two big tests. They head to Happy Valley to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions, who are the 13th-ranked team in the country.

While the Buckeyes have not had any issues winning any of the other games they’ve played this season, this one might be different. Penn State has a history of playing Ohio State close. While they haven’t beaten the Buckeyes since 2016, they still cannot be taken lightly.

After a putrid day of running the football against Iowa, I expect Ryan Day will want to correct that on Saturday. Expect a healthy dose of TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams in the first half, although not on the first drive. We all know how much Day loves to pass the ball on the first drive.

I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if this is a close game going into halftime. They played Michigan close for the first half too. The second half is when the Wolverines pulled away and showed that they are much better than the Nittany Lions.

Prediction: Ohio State 42 Penn State 24

I decided to change my prediction from earlier in the week based on two factors. One, the Buckeyes haven’t played in a hostile environment yet this season. Two, this is the best offense they’ve faced. I’m still not 100% all in sold on the defense being great yet. I’m 95% there, but not quite all the way there.

If Ohio State does hold Penn State under 17 points, I will fully be there. I just want to see what they look like against an offense that is actually competent before I declare that they are a great defense. This is the week to show the rest of the country that they are.

Expect C.J. Stroud to have another big game. I don’t think he’ll turn the ball over this week. The offensive line should play better and the run game should get going as well. Expect the Buckeyes to pull away in the second half and get to 8-0 on the season.