Here’s a roundup of game predictions for the Penn State – Ohio State matchup on Saturday. As you’ll see, most people predict OSU will win, but the question is how much. If these two teams are actually ten points apart in talent level, then Penn State could easily catch a couple of breaks and come away with a victory. If it’s more like 20 points, as the oddsmakers suggest, then maybe not. Anyway, enjoy.
Ohio State 27, Penn State 17: It’s tough to know how much of Penn State’s recent offensive surge is genuine and how much is due to facing weak defenses. I’m going to say it’s a bit of both, as the Nittany Lions make some plays early with backs Evan Royster and Silas Redd before the Buckeyes take control in the second half. A rested Terrelle Pryor runs the ball more than we’ve seen and rushes for two scores in the win.
Boosted by all that storybook drama in Happy Valley last week, Penn State (6-3, 3-2 in Big Ten) has won its last three and seems to be coming together on both sides of the football. However, we need to also point out that those results have come at the expense of Minnesota and Michigan, in addition to Northwestern.
After facing that trio, the Nittany Lions will be stepping way up in class as they visit Ohio State (8-1, 4-1), which is nearly impossible to beat in November (14-1 in the season’s final month since 2005) …
Opening point spread: Ohio State by 17
Pick: Ohio State 38-17
Penn State, on the other hand, really has nothing to lose. Many fans considered this season all but lost after their homecoming dismantling at the hands of the Fighting Illini. We were ready to chalk 2010 up as a learning experience and maybe sneak in a mid-December bowl game before wondering how good this team might be in 2011.
Penn State 27, Ohio State 24
Depsite Tressel’s record after bye weeks and Penn State playing their best ball of the season, we just don’t see Penn State having the horses to stay with Ohio State, at home, over 60 minutes. Tresselball might keep it close early but the Buckeyes pull away and win handily, setting the stage for a showdown in Iowa City.
Ohio State 30, Penn State 13
In addition all of CBS’s people pick Ohio State.