Ohio State minus 14 1/2 hosting Penn State
Trailing Alabama, Oregon and Florida State in the Top 25 poll, unbeaten Ohio State needs a signature victory.
The Buckeyes came out flat against Iowa last week trailing in the third quarter before winning, 34-24, at home.
Elite teams that were sloppy the week before rarely play subpar two weeks in a row. Look for Urban Meyer to have the Buckeyes fired up to run up a big score. They have the quarterback, Braxton Miller, and running back, Carlos Hyde, to accomplish that.
I like Penn State coach Bill O’Brien and his freshman quarterback, Christian Hackenberg. If they stay together they could become a college version of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
But this isn’t their spot and Hackenberg isn’t ready yet. This is just the Nittany Lions’ second true road contest. They were hammered 44-24 at Indiana two games ago. The Hooisers gained close to 500 yards, throwing for 336 yards. This road venue and foe is far more difficult for Penn State.
The Nittany Lions have played a very easy schedule having beaten Syracuse, Eastern Michigan and Kent State. They are not battled tested enough to hang on the road with this caliber of opponent. Expect the Buckeyes to cover for the eighth time in the last 10 home meetings against the Nittany Lions.
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