Penn State Football has the chance to pick up a signature victory by knocking off Ohio State in one of the most anticipated college football games of the 2024 season.
Here’s how our staff sees Sturday’s clash of Big Ten behemoths playing out.
Joe Staszak – Senior Penn State Football Reporter
From a sheer eye test standpoint I think one-loss Ohio State grades out a little higher than the unbeaten Nittany Lions, and since Penn State holds a higher AP ranking but is curiously a three-point underdog at home, it looks like Vegas agrees with me.
If you watched my video breakdown this past week, you’ll know that this is more of a must-win game for the Buckeyes whereas Penn State still controls their own destiny even if they lose on Saturday.
The other factor is a very scorned quarterback in Ohio State’s Will Howard.
Howard is a local product of Downingtown West High School and he hails from West Chester, PA. His hurt and or anger was on full display at the podium last Saturday when he spewed this gem of a self-motivational manifesto.
“I grew up a Penn State fan,” Howard told reporters earlier this week. “I wanted to go there my whole life. They didn’t think I was good enough. But, I guess, we’ll see next week if I was.”
I get goosebumps just thinking about that kind of hype chatter. Is it noon yet?
The Pick: Ohio State 24, Penn State 20
Robert Casturo – Senior Content Editor
Penn State Football has one of its best chances to knock off the Buckeyes in the past decade this weekend.
Getting this game at home with an Ohio State team that seems less than totally confident coming into Happy Valley is huge for the Nittany Lions.
However, Penn State is dealing with horrendous timing for three key injuries to be hurting the Nittany Lions chances at a top-five win. Because of the health of starting quarterback Drew Allar and right tackle Anthony Donkoh, I have a hard time picking Penn State to knock off the Buckeyes.
Hopefully, the Nittany Lions will have a chance in the College Football Playoff to face Ohio State at full strength and get a second shot at a win, but for now, I think Penn State isn’t healthy enough to pull out the upset.
The Pick: Ohio State 30, Penn State 24
Brad Kulp – Penn State Football Reporter
Game Prediction
Let me start by saying, I’m not concerned with Penn State. Like, at all.
They needed to clean things up, and they have.
They needed to fix the kicking game, they have.
The entire team has improved and is playing consistent, elite football. And the key for me is the mental toughness. The confidence. The Nittany Lions have been down on the road twice, in hostile environments. And walked it off for wins both times.
Drew Allar, in an uncharacteristic half, threw three picks. That would affect many quarterbacks. Not Allar. He turned around and had one of his best performances, leading PSU to victory at USC.
Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and his unpredictability are the difference makers this year, and with a confident team that believes they control the game I don’t see the train slowing down.
Penn State sets the tone, and Penn State has no problem fighting back. The Nittany Lions have been tested repeatedly, the Buckeyes have not. Penn State will win, and win convincingly in Happy Valley, finally vanquishing the OSU Beast.
The Pick: Penn State 31, Ohio State 23
David Pollak – Penn State Football Reporter
I finally think Penn State finds a way to take down Ohio State. If not this year, then when? I think it’s the best chance the Nittany Lions have realistically had since 2017 or 2018.
The Buckeyes are hurt up front and the Penn State defense will do just enough to disrupt Will Howard and the offense. It might not be pretty at times, but it’s for games like this that Andy Kotelnicki was brought in and Nittany Lions fans are ready to see what else he has in his bag of tricks.
Penn State kicks a late fourth-quarter field goal to seal the win.
The Pick: Penn State 23, Ohio State 20
Chris Snyder – Senior Penn State Wrestling Reporter
Here is my prediction for what is going to happen when the Ohio State Buckeyes take the field Saturday in Beaver Stadium against the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Ohio State is going to win.
And I say this without even breaking down any of the matchups, or schemes, or individual players, or injuries which may impact either team. Plain and simple, Penn State is going to lose.
By now I’m sure you’re saying to yourself, “This guy has no idea what he’s talking about and that’s just a loser’s mentality,” which is completely fair to say.
But my prediction for this game is not rooted in anything resembling fanhood, or hope, or what I “think” should happen.
Nope.
This prediction is rooted entirely in reality. And, Penn State’s reality against Ohio State has not been pretty in the last seven matchups.
The Nittany Lions had the superior team in both 2017 and 2018, however, they managed to blow large fourth-quarter leads in both.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes then cruised to wins from 2019-2022 while outscoring Penn State 143-97.
Last year’s Ohio State squad was perhaps their weakest team since Tom Bradley won a 20-14 game against Luke Fickell back in 2011. But what happened??
Penn State lost.
And, if the Nittany Lions couldn’t beat Ohio State in 2017, 2018, and 2023 … then they’re not going to win this year either.
The Pick: Ohio State 27, Penn State 19
MORE: Penn State’s Must Win Key Matchups vs. Ohio State
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He has been recognized for his work as a photographer and has also contributed to various publications including PennLive and The Weather Channel.
Brad is an Air Force veteran, coach and competitive runner that grew up a Nittany Lions fan as his family is originally from the State College area.
His diverse skillset and experiences provide for interesting perspectives on the college football, and sports topics of the day.
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