The biggest football game of the year in the BIG 10 is happening this weekend. #8 ranked Penn State takes on #2 ranked Ohio State at noon on Saturday at the Horseshoe in Columbus. The two rivals have played 34 times against each other, with Ohio State leading the series 20-14. They have played nine games where both teams have been in the top 10, and Ohio State leads that series 6-3. These are two very good football programs with Penn State sitting at eighth in all-time in wins (896) and Ohio State at second in all-time wins. (921) This year Ohio State is favored by 18.5 points according to Sportsbook Review, and many sports analysts think that Penn State doesn’t stand a chance. Every single person on USA Today’s college football staff picked Ohio State to win. With College Gameday coming to Columbus for the game, I will be interested to see Lee Corso’s headgear this Saturday.
Ohio State should be helped greatly by the return of star defensive end Chase Young from a two-game suspension. Penn State fans and others will argue that he should have been suspended longer, but Ohio State fans are very happy that he is back. Though him being back is great for the Buckeyes, the suspension probably bumped him back a few spots in the Heisman Trophy race, but shouldn’t affect his NFL draft position. Penn State may be missing some key parts of their team as well.
Star wide receiver K.J. Hamler left Penn State’s game last weekend with an upper body injury, but is expected to dress for the game. Running back Noah Cain has missed the last two games with a leg injury, but is also expected to play this weekend. Linebacker Cam Brown is also injured and it is unclear to whether or not he plays this weekend. K.J. Hamler ran a 4.28 second 40 meter dash time and is Penn State’s leading receiver. On Penn State’s four-running back team, Noah Cain has made himself a competitor for the top spot. He is nicknamed “Noah Gain” for his ability to come into the game and get tough yards. Cam Brown has come up big with tackles this season and is one of Penn State’s best veteran linebackers. The Penn State team and their fans are hoping that all of these players will play this weekend.
This will hopefully be a great game, but with a possible Ohio State blowout looming, one can never be sure. The past three games between these two teams have been decided by a total of five points. Penn State currently has a 12% chance to make the college football playoff but if they are Big 10 champions, they are almost guaranteed a spot. This is clearly the game to watch at noon this Saturday and I’m hoping that you are rooting for the Nittany Lions.
Image Source: https://www.nbcsports.com