Ok. Here we go.
A game everyone pointed to at the beginning of the year is finally here and the entire college football world will be tuned in. Ohio State hosts Penn State in a top-10 matchup Saturday inside Ohio Stadium, and there’s a great deal on the line.
Both teams are unbeaten. Both have a wealth of talent. Both have designs on a Big Ten title and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
But first things first, the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions will have to win what looks like a war of attrition on Saturday, come out the other end and move on toward other matchups — notably against Michigan — in an effort to keep those goals on the table.
Each week we ask our writers to weigh in on what they think will happen with that week’s Ohio State game, and it’s time for that again. We have five writers with differing opinions, and here’s what each predicts and a reason things will play out they way they see them.
Phil Harrison, Publisher/Editor and Featured Writer
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 20, 2023
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The Prediction
I feel like I’m the Debbie Downer on this site when it comes to what I’ve seen from Ohio State, and I’ll bring things down a level again. I very much want to see the Buckeyes pull this one out, but a study of the game film and breakdown of what we’ve seen from each team has me believing Penn State is the more complete team this year.
The Buckeyes’ offense has been clunky and inconsistent, and I don’t know how the lights suddenly go on against a very, very good defense. Add unknowns regarding which stars will be available for Ohio State and there’s too much working against the scarlet and gray here. I expect the game to be close (it almost always is against the Nittany Lions), but I have Penn State winning a close one.
Score
Penn State 27, Ohio State 24
Mark Russell, Featured Writer
Work Week Done ☑️ pic.twitter.com/71aJf0nbad
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 20, 2023
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The Prediction
These are the kind of games college football fans live for. Two heavyweights going toe to toe. And this game should be an absolute slugfest.
Both teams have the talent to win this game in what I expect to be a back-and-forth, albeit low-scoring affair. At least low scoring by each team’s standards. I do believe that this game will come down to who can win in the trenches.
While the Buckeye line hasn’t been up to par much of the season, it has shown improvement. Penn State’s interior line is susceptible to allowing pressure in the backfield. I think that gives Ohio State the edge. There will be tense moments, but the Buckeyes come out on top in the end.
Score
Ohio State 24, Penn State 20
Josh Keatley, Featured Writer
📌 WEAR SCARLET
📌 BE LOUD
📌 ARRIVE EARLY https://t.co/7pnm3zDUDN
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 19, 2023
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The Prediction
I hate to do this, but you cannot bet on Ohio State in this situation. Penn State is a great team — on the same tier as Notre Dame. The Buckeyes squeaked out a last-second victory against that Fighting Irish squad and the spread for this game is even bigger.
This could be a case where the two teams feel each out and little scoring occurs. As I said before this game could be similar to the contest in South Bend, and that was also a low-scoring situation.
SCORE
Penn State 24, Ohio State 21
Michael Chen, Featured Writer
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐥. 𝟕 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 🍿🔥🎥 pic.twitter.com/dHA6T07NGb
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 19, 2023
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The Prediction
Another tough test for Ohio State, this time at home. That’s where I believe the biggest advantage for the Buckeyes is, home cooking. Penn State’s schedule hasn’t been nearly as challenging, and that experience will show on Saturday morning. It’s still going to be a slugfest, but I have the Buckeyes winning a close one.
SCORE
Ohio State 31, Penn State 27
Evan Bachman, Featured Writer
Lights, camera, @PatMcAfeeShow 🎥 pic.twitter.com/L28rqjtbjW
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 20, 2023
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The Prediction
This will be one of the toughest tests Ohio State will face all season: Penn State is a talented team on both sides of the ball. With both defenses being among the best in the country, this projects to be a defensive battle that comes down to who can execute in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, I predict the Buckeyes defense and playmakers on offense will be too much for the Nittany Lions, and Ohio State comes away with a victory.
Score
Ohio State 24, Penn State 17
