Predictions for Penn State vs Ohio State

Tagged under: News, Penn State, Pennsylvania Colleges, pfn

Mason Eddinger | October 31, 2024

  ALL PHOTO CREDIT TO PAUL BURDICK SPORTS IMAGES

Penn State-Ohio State is potentially the biggest game of the College Football Season so far. Penn State boasts a perfect record and many believe this is the Nittany Lion’s best chance to beat the Buckeyes in a long time. Ohio State is still Ohio State, nuff said. What will happen in the game? Who plays well? Who doesn’t? Who wins? Let’s break it down.

  For Penn State

  How healthy will Allar be? Drew Allar left the Wisconsin game after a left knee injury, and he did not return to the game. In the wake of the injury, Beau Pribula got the 2nd-half start, many fans are wondering if that will be the case for this week. James Franklin said that the decision regarding Allar would be made shortly before the game. I do believe Drew Allar plays and plays well. Penn State’s receiving core has improved over the last few weeks, and they will make Allar’s life easier. On the other hand, I believe Beau Pribula scores on a rushing TD.

Slow Start? Although undefeated, Penn State has been a victim of slow starts all season long. Over the last 4 weeks, they have a net of -6 in point differential after the first half. The lackadaisical performance will be a necessity to avoid against the Buckeyes. I do, however, believe Penn State starts slow offensively once again, but so will Ohio State. Both of these teams’ defenses have been A-tier all season long, and that will continue Saturday. In the first half, there will not be more than 20 points scored.

Defensive Line Success:  The Penn State defensive line is stellar, simply put. Led by Abdul Carter, the unit has racked up 14 sacks on the season. After Ohio State’s offensive line struggled, Penn State looks to feast. One of Penn State’s top Edge Rushers, Dani Dennis-Sutton is listed as Game Time Descison after suffering an injury at Wisconsin. In this game, Penn State will sack Will Howard 3 times and have him rattled all afternoon.

For Ohio State

What’s happened the last few weeks?  After a 1-point loss in Eugene to now #1 Oregon, Ohio State came back to the Shoe against Nebraska as a 25-point favorite and only won by 4. Matter of fact, Ohio State trailed into the 4th quarter in that game. The Buckeyes stand at a crossroads: Are the last few weeks something to worry about, or will they bounce back? I believe they will bounce back. The Nebraska game felt like a classic “lookahead game” for Ohio State as Penn State was lurking on the schedule. The Buckeyes will be able to turn the page on Saturday and will be leading after 1 Quarter.

Can they cover #44? Tyler Warren doesn’t have an argument to be the nation’s best Tight End, he is the argument. There is simply nobody better in the College Football world at the position than Warren. Ohio State’s defense is one, if not, the best defense in College Football. The Buckeyes are top-5 in scoring defense and have impressed plenty of times this year. Tyler Warren will have a good, but not great game: 6 catches for 53 yards.

Will OSU playmakers make a difference?  The Simple answer is yes, but how much of a difference? One of the best runningbacks in the country, Quinshon Judkins has been nothing short of spectacular this year. Judkins has averaged 6.4YPC on the season. But against then #3 Oregon, he struggled, with 11 carries for 23 yards. In the only game Judkins played against an opponent on PSU’s level, he did not perform. Luckily for Ohio State, they have TreVeyon Henderson as one-half of the best RB duo in the nation. Look for Henderson to have a bulk of the success as he scores twice in the contest on Saturday.

PREDICTION ON THE GAME

PENN STATE 24 OHIO STATE 21

For more on Penn State, Follow HERE

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews