COLUMBUS – Back on track and steamrolling through the Big Ten, the No. 5 Buckeyes face their first big test of their conference schedule Saturday when No. 20 Penn State comes to Ohio Stadium.
(5) OHIO STATE (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten) vs. (20) Penn State (5-2, 2-2)
Ohio Stadium, Columbus OH; Oct. 30 (7:30 p.m./ABC)
The Buckeyes have blown out their last four opponents behind freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud, who is operating the nation’s top offense. But they will face the best defense they’ve seen this season in the Nittany Lions.
“They are as explosive as any offense in the country right now,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said.
Ohio State are averaging 57.8 points in their last four games and has outscored its last three opponents, 231-44, while not giving up a rushing touchdown since a Week 2 loss to No. 7 Oregon, which head coach Ryan Day has helped his team to remember nothing can be taken for granted.
“I think our guys understand that, they’re a little scarred and calloused from that, which is a good thing,” Day told reporters this week.
Ohio State leads the nation in total offense, racking up 559.7 yards per game and is second in scoring offense while Penn State is reeling from a baffling nine-overtime loss to lowly Illinois.
The Nittany Lions have lost their last two games and an injury to quarterback Sean Clifford was a big reason for their struggles. The good news for Penn State is that Franklin says Clifford will be healthy for the game.
Big Ten at center stage
The spotlight shines on the Big Ten this week with three games sure to affect the division races and possibly the College Football Playoff.
In addition to the Ohio State-Penn State matchup, No. 8 Michigan State hosts No. 6 Michigan in a battle of unbeatens that will start separating the East Division.
It’s the first time since 1964 these teams have met when both are in the top 10. Both are 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten.
No. 9 Iowa visits Wisconsin in what figures to be a defensive battle in the West.