College Football
Game Preview Penn State Welcomes Ohio State
After traveling to Illinois for the Big Ten opener last Friday, Penn State now returns home for the biggest match-up on their schedule: the White Out game against division foe the Ohio State Buckeyes. This game is so big that ESPN College GameDay will be holding its live show on Saturday from Old Main lawn. This week, Penn State welcomes Ohio State.
Last weekend
Penn State took on a Illinois team that brought their game with them but wasn’t able to keep up with the Nittany Lions once the second half got under way. Junior running back Miles Sanders had himself his best collegiate game of his career thus far, rushing for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Penn State’s Trace McSorley didn’t have his best outing but he was still a force to be reckoned with on the field as always.
Penn State
The Nittany Lions come into this pound-for-pound as the No. 9 ranked team in the nation. Furthermore, when it comes to facing the Buckeyes, it’s always a dog fight. Big Ten contests have proven to be just that.
In last year’s contest, Penn State lost 39-38 on the road in Columbus in a blackout. The previous year in 2016, Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21 in a White Out game that got Penn State and coach James Franklin their signature win.
Ohio State
Last weekend, the No. 4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes faced a Tulane team at home. Ohio State won 49-6. Thus far, Dwayne Haskins has shown that he can be a suitable replacement for J.T Barrett. Ohio State had a earlier start to their Big Ten schedule when they faced Rutgers in week two. Two weeks ago, Ohio State took on TCU and won 40-28. That was a tough test for the Buckeyes.
However, this Saturday’s game against Penn State will be a true test. The biggest story is that the Buckeyes will be without their top defensive player Nick Bosa who is out indefinitely with a lower body injury that he later went to have surgery on.
Series History
Ohio State and Penn State have played 32 times in the all-time series. Ohio State currently leads the series 18-14. However, the past two games have a total point differential of four. When Penn State and Ohio State clash, it’s always a tough battle. But more often than not, the atmosphere is one of, if not the best in college football.
Conclusion
Saturday, Penn State welcomes Ohio State. Penn State and Ohio State are set to clash in one of the biggest match-ups this season and the winner likely will take control of the Big Ten East. Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins hasn’t played in an atmosphere quite like the White Out game. It will be interesting to see how Ohio State’s defense responds to a true test without their top star Nick Bosa. This game will be nationally televised on ABC Saturday night at 7:30 and it isPenn State’s annual White Out game.
Follow us on Twitter and YouTube
Photo credit to Eleven Warriors via Flickr
