No. 7 Penn State Football looks to solidify its status as a College Football Playoff contender, and remain undefeated, when the Nittany Lions head to Columbus to take on No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday at noon.

Penn State is led by quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, and a loaded defense with playmakers at all three levels, representing possibly the deepest and most talented roster of head coach James Franklin‘s tenure.

Is this the year that Penn State finally slays Ohio State, and emerges victorious over the Buckeyes for the first time since 2016, and comes away with a win in Columbus for the first time since 2011?

Penn State Football vs. Ohio State Staff Picks, Predictions

Robert Casturo – Senior Penn State Football Reporter

I want to think things are different this year. On paper, this is the most talented team Penn State comes to Ohio State with since 2017, and the most vulnerable Ohio State is in over a decade. If this was in Happy Valley, I would probably pick differently, but Allar has not fared well on the road and the Buckeyes are still the Buckeyes. Until Penn State Football proves otherwise, I have to give the, albeit slight, edge to Ohio State. Prediction: Ohio State 20 – Penn State 17

Alec Whitaker – Senior Penn State Football Recruiting Insider

Penn State historically struggles in Columbus but this team just seems to have a different feel.

In the past, heading into this game was always about could Penn State score enough points to keep up with OSU. Not the case this year as this looks like a defensive slug fest and the first to 20 may win.

Prediction: Penn State 21 – Ohio State 17

Joe Staszak – Penn State Football Reporter

Sorry about the cliche but as pertains to Penn State’s monumental showdown with the number No. 3 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in the Shoe on Saturday, but you can throw out all of the streaks, records and past disappointments. Penn State is getting 4 points from the folks in Vegas.I don’t think they’ll need them, but if they’re offering, take them and say thank you. Sure, the game is in Columbus but you know what travels well? Defense and ball security. This year’s new and improved version of “Hope in Happy Valley” has given up just a little north of eight points per game through six games this season and they’ve only turned the ball over on offense twice, with 0 interceptions from their star quarterback Drew Allar. That formula works any where on any playing surface. As for the Buckeyes they’ve basically played one real opponent this year and they needed to convert a miracle 3rd and 19 in the waning moments by a mistake-ridden Notre Dame squad that failed to yield the correct number of defenders  for the final two plays of the game. First-year OSU quarterback Kyle McCord did his job in South Bend, but Penn State head coach James Franklin doesn’t seemed to be too concerned about the junior first year quarterback, as he failed to even mention his name in his press conference scouting report on the Bucks Tuesday.

Look for defensive coordinator Manny Diaz to blitz McCord all day long and live with the results.  If he does that the results should speak for themselves.  Penn State remains unbeaten with a victory over the formerly unbeaten Buckeyes.

Prediction: Penn State 20 – Ohio State 17

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Danny Friedman – Penn State Football Reporter

A late field goal wins the game after Penn State forces a turnover. Don’t be surprised if Drew Allar tosses one touchdown pass, and Nick Singleton goes off for two more.

Prediction: Penn State 24 – Ohio State 21

Nolan Foster – Penn State Football Reporter

Penn State gets it done and takes control of their season.

The Nittany Lions have been waiting for this game since their late-game collapse last season against Ohio State. Drew Allar will step up and put PSU back on the map.

Prediction: Penn State 38, Ohio State 31

Chris Snyder – Senior Penn State Wrestling Reporter

This meeting poses one of the best chances for the Nittany Lions to take down Ohio State since their last win back in 2016. And it could be their first win in Columbus since 2011.

The Buckeyes offense isn’t anywhere near as explosive as they’ve been in the past and I feel very confident that Penn State’s defense will hold them in check and get to Kyle McCord. Obviously Marvin Harrison Jr. will get his, because he’s just that good. If the Penn State secondary can keep him under 100 yards and keep him from the end zone, then it will be mission accomplished.

But what I’m not confident in, is what I’ve seen from the Nittany Lion’s offense in terms of running the ball and extending the field vertically.

The Nittany Lions are currently 52nd in the country in yards per carry and 79th in the country in passing yards per game. Ohio State still has studs on the defensive side and I have a feeling Penn State will struggle to move the ball at times.

Which means it’s going to be a low scoring slug-fest. And they haven’t been too kind to James Franklin in the past…

Prediction: Ohio State 17 – Penn State 13

Evan Smith – Senior Penn State Basketball Reporter

Look, this was the game we all circled back in July.

We figured this would be a matchup of undefeateds. OSU probably looks a little worse than expected and we’ve probably exceeded expectations by a little.  The talent gap is as small as its ever been.

But the games in Columbus. And Franklin only has that one magical win over the Buckeyes. Can the Nits make magic happen in front of College GameDay and Fox Big Noon? Sadly, no. Prediction: Ohio State 29 – Penn State 24

MORE: Penn State’s Keys to Beating Ohio State

 

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