Penn State Football aims to build off a thrilling Week 1 win over Purdue, when the Nittany Lions (1-0) host the Ohio Bobcats (1-0) on Saturday afternoon, in the home opener, inside Beaver Stadium in a noon kickoff.

Facing a MAC opponent comes at the right time for the Lions, after the intensity of a game that featured a comeback game-winning drive in the final moments, and ahead of a Week 3 clash at Auburn.

Here’s a look at how we see Penn State Football vs. Ohio playing out: 

L.J. Santa Maria – Nittany Central Lead Football Writer

This feels eerily similar to last season with Penn State Football coming off a huge road victory in Week 1, and coming home to play a MAC opponent, before another big one in Week 3 with Auburn.

Last season, the Nittany Lions handled business against Ball State in this spot, and I expect them to do the same here.

Coming off a 3-9 campaign in 2021, Ohio looked good last week putting up 41 points against FAU but also gave up well over 400 yards of offense. It feels like a matter of when, not if, we see freshman quarterback Drew Allar, who we may even see in the first quarter, as Franklin looks to get him valuable reps while the outcome is still in the balance.

Penn State Football should be able to get whatever they want on offense all day, but it is easy to see them really trying to get the ground game going, which may eat some clock and lead to a little bit less scoring than some may anticipate in this one.

I expect the run game to take at least a step here, especially as the Bobcats are outmatched along the line of scrimmage and defensively could see the Nittany Lions putting points on the board and being mostly dominant here.

We should learn a lot about the middle linebacker spot as well, with Abdul Carter seeing a ton of reps.

Penn State Football coasts here in what should be a fantastic home opener environment inside Beaver Stadium.

Prediction: Penn State 38-10

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Patrick Sweda – Nittany Central Football Writer

This is a rematch of the upset loss to the Bobcats that Penn State Football took at the beginning of the first sanction season in 2012.

In that game Penn State Football jumped out to a 14-3 halftime lead, but ultimately fell 24-14.

Penn State Football leads the all-time series 5-1, although most of those wins came in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Ohio finished 3-9 (3-5) last season, but did beat Florida Atlantic last week as a home underdog.

This will be a great opportunity to get young players some more experience, with a focus on establishing depth and a solid rotation. Revenge is a sweet and wonderful thing.

Prediction: Penn State 41, Ohio 10

Derek Brynildsen – Nittany Central Football Writer

Ohio should be a good warm up for Auburn next week.

The main goal is to come out of this game fully healthy. Penn State Football will look to establish the run early, and I believe they’ll have success.

The Nittany Lions have a massive talent advantage and it’s going to show on Saturday afternoon.

Prediction: Penn State – 45 Ohio – 10

David Malandra – Nittany Central Football Writer

The Nittany Lions will play in front of the home fans for the first time this season, and the defense will come into this on elooking to make a big statement with a couple Sacks, and a Pick-six.

Prediction: Penn State 38, Ohio 0

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