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College Football: Predicting each weekly 2017 College GameDay destination

By Trevor Jossart

BRISTOL, TN - SEPTEMBER 10: Fans of the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Tennessee Volunteers cheer during ESPN's College Gameday prior to the game at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 10, 2016 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, TN - SEPTEMBER 10: Fans of the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Tennessee Volunteers cheer during ESPN's College Gameday prior to the game at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 10, 2016 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 22: Grant Haley #15 of the Penn State Nittany Lions returns a field goal block 60 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 22, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 22: Grant Haley #15 of the Penn State Nittany Lions returns a field goal block 60 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 22, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Week 9: Penn State at Ohio State

Honorable Mention:

  • UCLA at Washington
  • Georgia vs. Florida
  • Oklahoma State at West Virginia

The game that changed everything for the Penn State Nittany Lions in 2016 was their magical comeback and victory over then-undefeated Ohio State, ultimately becoming the deciding factor in who represented the Big Ten East in the conference title game — thus leading to a 38-31 championship over Wisconsin and the opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl.

A lot can ride off of one game, but it is not common to see a season completely change from one play.

Penn State vamped on their offense the rest of the year and made 2017 Heisman candidates out of running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Trace McSorley. A team that was hurt by their early season loss to Pittsburgh, on top of no preseason love, ended up keeping this team short of the College Football Playoff a year ago, but this time around we should see nothing less than the Nittany Lions ranked in the top ten heading into the first week.

And then there are the Buckeyes. Always solid and always relevant come preseason rankings, Ohio State will enjoy one final year of quarterback J.T. Barrett, another Heisman hopeful, with eyes on another national title.

Related Story: Big Ten Football: 3 dark-horse candidates to win 2017 title

Of course, the Big Ten East is no cakewalk, with three teams last season barring just one loss (Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan) and this week nine matchup will be just one of three gamesbetween the three big hitters in that division. Don’t forget then whoever comes out of this gauntlet will have to face a tough Wisconsin or Nebraska team (assuming) in Indianapolis for the conference title game.

Penn State will be fresh off a home game against Michigan and the results from that game could make this matchup between the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes that much bigger.

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