The No. 1 college football team in the land will face the "White Out" in State College, PA, on Saturday night.
The undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes will be under a lot of pressure after losing five of their last six games at Beaver Stadium.
Home field advantage plays a big role in the series between the two teams; in 12 of last 14 meetings, the home team won the game.
The last time OSU played at Penn State, in 2005, the Buckeyes lost a crucial game by the score of 17-10.
Ohio State has been this season's most consistent team with an 8-0 (4-0) record.
This game will tell the college football world if the Buckeyes are indeed national title contenders.
This is also a "put up or shut up" game for 6-2 (3-2) Penn State.
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The Lions are on a three game winning streak ever since they lost at Illinois in September, and this Saturday is a chance to prove to everybody that they're still a contender for the Big Ten title.
With a win over the No. 1 team in the country, I see Penn State jumping up at least 10 spots in the rankings—with even better things to come in the future.
But I won't get ahead of myself, because the Nittany Lions still need to take care of business on Saturday in a big game.
The way I see it...
I see this game coming down to wire.
OSU and PSU have two of the best defenses not only in the Big Ten, but in the country.
Watch for a low scoring game, where points will be hard to come by.
In order to win this game for either team, their offense will have to step up and score points against the other team's great defense.
I truly believe Penn State will win this game.
They have home field advantage that has been huge in the Ohio State/Penn State series for the last 14 years, they have the smash mouth defense that will put pressure on Buckeyes QB, Boeckman all night, and shut down their star RB, Chris Wells.
In order to win the game, Anthony Morelli will have to play the way he did in the Outback Bowl last season.
He can't turn the ball over the way he has this season.
The team is looking to him to make a difference because he is overdue.
Saturday night is a perfect night for him to finally play up to his full potential.
He has a great WR core, so if he can hit them consistently night, this game is Penn State's.
My Prediction
PENN STATE: 20
OHIO STATE: 13
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about 1 year ago
Ball control, better defense will likely win it for Ohio State. I like your score, but OSU takes this close one. Morelli struggles mightily against strong defense and Buckeyes likely best in nation. Additionally, their offensive line can take control of this game, especially with bruising back C. Wells. Home field matters much more in offensive minded games. This OSU team easily beat MSU last Saturday but score indicated much closer game.
about 1 year ago
Didn't you watch Penn State give up 31 points to Indiana. While Ohio State was holding Mich State offense to 180 yards total offense and 3 offensive points. Ohio State 24 Penn State 9.
from about 1 year ago
I watched that Indiana game. Wow, IU isn't the same as they used to be. Talk about an athlete at reciever - anyone who hasn't seen James Hardy needs to go to youtube quickly or something. QB Kellen Lewis was pretty good too, except for that whole 3 fumbles thing.
Point is - Indiana isn't the same cupcake that they once were. Penn State shouldn't be judged *that* harshly when evaluating this game. I think the OSU-PSU game will be a good one, can't wait to watch it.
-R.
from about 1 year ago
I sort of agree with you Robert, but answer me this question:
If someone were to say to you that Indiana would put 31 offensive points on OSU, you would laugh at them, right?
IF I bet you $500 that Indiana would, you would take my bet right?
Your answers are Yes, undoubtedly. So as far as I'm concerned, this statement, in his obviously bias article:
"They have the smash mouth defense that will put pressure on Buckeyes QB, Boeckman all night, and shut down their star RB, Chris Wells..."
Is basically ridiculous.. If they can't do it to Indiana, no less, they absolutely won't do it to the Buckeyes. Plain and Simple.
from about 1 year ago
Oh yes, I would laugh at them - most certainly. My only point with my comment was that Indiana is much improved. Equal or better than Ohio State's offense? Not even close. Improved? Yes.
And Bryan, I wish I had $500 in my wallet to even consider betting. That would be a nice dilema to have to ponder whether or not to take that bet.
-R.
from about 1 year ago
If we've learned one thing this season, it's that things change drastically from week to week. Just because team A didn't perform well against team B doesn't mean the same will happen against team C (if you get my drift). Just look at the SEC. Kentucky lost to South Carolina, which lost to Vanderbilt, which lost to Georgia, which lost to Tennessee, which lost to Florida, which lost to Auburn, which lost to Mississippi State, which lost to LSU, which lost to Kentucky. My point is, on any given week, we've seen that anything is bound to happen, especially when teams with relatively the same amount of talent play against each other.
Bryan you are obviously an Ohio State fan and so am I. While I'll acknowledge that this article may be a little biased, the difference between you and me is that I will also acknowledge that a talented group of LBs like Dan Connor and Sean Lee will certainly give the Buckeyes pressure. Chris Wells is extremely talented, but we don't really know if he can carry the load against a strong D like PSU. Should the Buckeyes win? Probably. But 1. OSU has played horribly the past few times in Happy Valley and 2. With the unpredictability of this season, it wouldn't be surprising that this Ohio State team could go down especially since we've literally played no one yet (Purdue won't finish in the top half of the Big Ten and obviously a 2-5 Washington team isn't all that hot).
That being said, let me ask Ryan this. Being a Penn State fan, would you have it in you to ever predict Penn State to lose a game at home? If you have been predicting Penn State's games for this season, what would the team's record be if all of your predictions came true?
Thats what I have to ask all fans who write predictions of their rooting school. The write up may have great thoughts and insights, but when it comes down to it, do you really have it in you to pick against your heart? For my preseason predictions I actually undervalued Ohio State, mostly because I didn't think they were very good but also because I didn't want to come off as a homer like some people are naturally inclined to be. Just my thoughts...
about 1 year ago
I agree that this will be a low-scoring game. As much as I would like the Nittany Lions to win, I predict Ohio State taking the victory 17-14.
about 1 year ago
This game is a good chance for two unproven quarterbacks to prove their nay-sayers. As much as I would like a big ten team in the national championship, its a given that they will get shit on. As a Penn State fan, I've obviously been disappointed with this season. This would be a great victory to turn our sub-par season around. For OSU, its a chance for them to prove themselves against a worthy big-ten opponent. I can't wait for this game.
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