Penn State Nittany Lions vs Ohio State Buckeyes: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH

When: Saturday, November 23rd at 12pm EST

How (TV): FOX

Head Coach: James Franklin {All-Time: 78-37 | VAN, PSU}

Regular Season Record: 9-1

Despite getting upset at Minnesota two weeks ago, the Penn State Nittany Lions are still in contention for the Big Ten title game, with an outside shot at a playoff berth. James Franklin’s team will have their work cut out for them however, as they will hit the road to take on their toughest opponent of the season, Ohio State.

The Lions are coming off a tough, 34-27 win in last week’s home game against Indiana. Quarterback Sean Clifford had accuracy issues throwing the football, completing just 11 of 23 attempts for 179 yards and a touchdown, while also losing a fumble.

However, he made up for those woes by running for two scores, with the second being a one yard plunge late in the fourth quarter. Lead running back Journey Brown added 100 yards on the ground with a touchdown

Despite giving up their second highest point total of the season, behind the 31 coughed up to Minnesota, Penn State’s defense did their part to prevent another upset. Top pass rushers Shaka Toney and Yetur Gross-Matos each registered a sack on Hoosiers quarterback Peyton Ramsey.

Redshirt senior linebacker Jan Johnson and freshman corner Marquis Wilson recovered fumbles to help Penn State win the turnover battle.

Ohio State Buckeyes (Home)

Head Coach: Ryan Day{All-Time: 13-0 | OSU}

Regular Season Record: 10-0

The Ohio State Buckeyes have demolished every team put in front of them thus far, sporting an average winning margin of 41.7 points. Detractors will point to Ohio State’s relatively soft schedule, which has featured only two ranked opponents so far in Michigan State and Wisconsin, although Indiana and Cincinnati have later featured in the AP Poll.

The Buckeyes will get two chances to strengthen their resume to close out the season, however, as they host Penn State before visiting hated rival Michigan on Thanksgiving weekend.

Last Saturday’s game was more of the same for the Buckeyes, as they took down Rutgers 56-21 in New Jersey. Heisman candidate Justin Fields put together a flawless performance, completing 15 of 19 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns.

Star running back J.K. Dobbins ran for 89 yards and two touchdowns, while senior receiver Binjimen Victor caught two of Fields’ touchdown passes. Sophomore receiver Chris Olave failed to notch his tenth touchdown catch of the season, but did manage to lead his team with 139 receiving yards.

Although they gave up 21 points, tied for the most in a game this season, Ohio State’s defense managed to hold down the Scarlet Knights with ease, limiting them to 231 total yards. The Buckeyes did not allow Rutgers to get into rhythm, especially on third down where the Knights could only convert six on 18 attempts.

Redshirt sophomore corner Shaun Wade made an impact on Rutgers’ opening drive, intercepting Johnny Langan on the second play of the game. Sophomore linebacker K’Vaughan Pope would pick off another pass in the third quarter.

In 33 total matchups between these divisional rivals, Ohio State holds a 20-13 lead over Penn State. Last year’s game saw the fourth ranked Buckeyes hold off number nine Penn State 27-26 in Happy Valley, with the game ending on a questionable running play call from Penn State.

The Nittany Lions have not beaten Ohio State since 2016, while their last win in the Horseshoe came back in 2011, when the Buckeyes were transitioning from Jim Tressel to Urban Meyer under Luke Fickell.

Penn State Roster Notes

Redshirt sophomore receiver K.J. Hamler is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury that knocked him out of the Indiana game.

Freshman receiver Cam Sullivan-Brown is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury that has kept him out of action for four games.

Freshman running back Noah Cain is listed as questionable with a leg injury that has kept him out the last two games.

Ohio State Roster Notes

Junior defensive end Chase Young will return to the lineup after serving a suspension stemming from a NCAA rules violation.

Junior linebacker Baron Browning is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury.

Senior receiver Austin Mack is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury that has kept him out of action for three games.

Freshman running back Marcus Crowley is listed as questionable with a leg injury that caused him to miss the Rutgers game.

Head-to-Head: Rasheed Walker (PSU) vs Chase Young (OSU)

The matchup to focus on in this game will be between two players who happen to hail from Maryland, as Penn State’s young left tackle Rasheed Walker will be given the tough task of stopping Ohio State’s Chase Young from dismantling the Lions’ passing attack.

Rasheed Walker

Left Tackle | 6-6, 324lb | North Point HS | Waldorf, MD | Redshirt Freshman

Stats: 10 Career Starts

A four star prospect who ranked in the top five amongst recruits from Maryland, Rasheed Walker did not have to wait long to be thrust into Penn State’s starting lineup. Walker made good use of his redshirt season in 2018, bulking up from 295 to 325 pounds thanks to PSU’s strength and conditioning program.

He also gained some valuable experience in four games last season while preserving his redshirt. Practicing against the likes of Shaka Toney and Yetur Gross-Matos has prepared him well for Big Ten play, as evidenced by the Nittany Lions giving up just 19 sacks thus far, which ranks fifth in the Big Ten.

Chase Young

Defensive End | 6-5, 265lb | DeMatha Catholic HS | Hyattsville, MD | Junior

Excited to be back on the field next week! Thank you Buckeye Nation for all the love and support. I’m blessed to be a part of this team, this university, and this community. Lots of love to my family. God Bless and Go Bucks!

— CY2 (@youngchase907) November 13, 2019

Since arriving in Columbus in 2017, Chase Young has been a menace for opposing quarterbacks. The latest in a long line of Buckeye pass rushers that includes the Bosa brothers, Sam Hubbard, and Tyquan Lewis, Young has more than lived up to his billing as a top-ten recruit. The potential number one pick in this year’s draft has all the tools that NFL scouts look for in a pass rusher, as he can win with speed and power.

Penn State at Ohio State Predictions and Odds

Find the latest odds for Penn State vs Ohio State below. The odds are provided by New Jersey sportsbooks bet365 NJ, DraftKings, and Caesars NJ.

Good luck! 

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