Ohio State vs Penn State Final Score Predictions: Will the Buckeyes run the score up against Jim Knowles?
The experts weigh in on what this Big Ten matchup will look like.
Week 9 of the college football season is here and the Nov. 1 slate was supposed to be a lot better than it’s currently slated to look like. The Ohio State Buckeyes hosting the Penn State Nittany Lions was supposed to be a potential No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup, but that’s not the case.
James Franklin has been fired and Penn State is a four-loss team. The Buckeyes are favored by three scores over the Nittany Lions, who also lost their starting quarterback, Drew Allar, a couple of weeks ago. With that being said, let’s weigh in on what this one is going to look like with some final predictions.
Ohio State 34, Penn State 10
After a week off the Buckeyes are back and they’ll get their first shot at former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Knowles and Penn State don’t quite have the defense that he did in Columbus and they’re especially bad against the run. Ohio State needs to improve on the ground a bit and this may be the game to do it with true freshman Bo Jackson.
Penn State is going to struggle mightily to score points and I’d be surprised if they could put together more than two scoring drives with QB Ethan Grunkemeyer. Grunkemeyer is a central Ohio native but the Buckeyes didn’t recruit him much and he never received an offer from Ohio State. Coming out of the bye week I expect the Buckeyes to be fresh on both sides of the ball and roll smoothly. — Brandon Little, A to Z Sports Ohio State
Ohio State 38, Penn State 13
What was once billed as a heavyweight Big Ten clash now looks like a one-sided affair. Ohio State has operated on autopilot since its season-opening win over Texas, dominating behind a defense that swallows opponents whole and an offensive line that’s only surrendered three sacks all season. Tougher opponents have been unable to rattle freshman quarterback Julian Sayin’s chemistry with star receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, making the Buckeyes’ offense one of the most efficient (and explosive) in all of college football.
Penn State, meanwhile, has unraveled. Four straight losses, the firing of Franklin, and the season-ending injury to Drew Allar have left the program in disarray. Interim coach Terry Smith steadied the ship briefly at Iowa, but the defense’s late-game breakdowns continue. Now, freshman quarterback Grunkemeyer faces the nation’s most complete team. Unless Penn State suddenly discovers a pass rush or a pulse on offense, this will be another long Saturday. — Nick Wright, A to Z Sports Penn State
Ohio State 27, Penn State 6
It’s astonishing to see the Buckeyes favored by almost three touchdowns heading into their matchup with Penn State, but that’s how much has gone wrong with the Nittany Lions. It seemed unfathomable that they’d be in this position only two months ago. Without Franklin and Allar, the Nittany Lions have zero chance to win this week.
Ohio State could take this moment as an opportunity to make a statement blowout win, but there will be enough professional pride from Penn State to at least compete and grind out drives. Ryan Day will be fine playing another slow offensive tempo as long as his team wins with a little bit of a cushion. I’m looking for the Buckeyes’ defense to clamp down on Penn State and for the Ohio State run game to get back on track. — Ian Valentino, A to Z Sports Ohio State
Ohio State 31, Penn State 10
When Penn State heads to Columbus this weekend to take on Ohio State, it’ll be facing arguably the most complete team in the nation. The Buckeyes’ balanced offense, led by quarterback Julian Sayin, has found its rhythm behind an efficient passing attack and a steady run game. On the other side of the ball, Ohio State’s defense, the best in the country, continues to dominate opponents, anchored by elite playmakers like safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Arvell Reese. For Penn State, the formula is clear: keep the game low scoring and control the clock with the run. But that’s been easier said than done for a Nittany Lions team that has struggled to establish consistent success on the ground this season. Ultimately, Ohio State’s superior depth, speed, and discipline on both sides of the ball should prove too much. — Brentley Weissman, A to Z Sports Oregon
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Ohio State Buckeyes have a position battle that’ll play out this week in practice ahead of playing Penn State
This one will be key for the Buckeyes.
