- Ohio State held off Nebraska at home on Saturday, winning 21-17, and rising to 6-1.
- Penn State took down Wisconsin on the road, beating them 28-13 to stay unbeaten.
- These two teams last met on October 21, 2023, in a game that Ohio State won 20-12.
The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions enter this NCAAF game with massive stakes. The winner will almost certainly make the CFP, barring a major collapse. Our Ohio State vs Penn State prediction narrowly favors the Buckeyes.
Ohio State Remains a Top Competitor
Ohio State currently sits at 6-1, with their lone loss coming on the road against #1 Oregon by 1 point. A second defeat to #4 Penn State would have eliminated the Buckeyes from the old CFP, but the expanded one may offer a bit more margin for error. Regardless, the easiest way for Ohio State to improve their CFP odds is to win this game. It’ll be tough on the road, but Penn State’s offense is vulnerable. Their run game needs to bounce back.
Penn State Aims for Statement Win
It’s been a long while since Penn State was a National Championship contender, but they are finally back in the mix. The combination of an expanded CFP and a down-year for Michigan massively increased their chances of making the playoff. That being said, the addition of Oregon to the Big-10 also made things more difficult. The Nittany Lions can’t afford to lose this matchup. QB Drew Allar will be tested by Ohio State’s stringent defense.
Ohio State vs Penn State Prediction: Buckeyes Narrowly Win on Road
The result of this matchup will send ripples through the CFP rankings that are set to release for the first time this year on November 5. Penn State is likely to have a sold-out crowd packed into their oversized stadium, which will undoubtedly make things more difficult for Ohio State, especially on offense. While the Buckeyes may struggle to score, their defense should similarly overwhelm Penn State. I see Ohio State winning 23-19.
Leave a Comment