Ohio State Football: 2017 game-by-game predictions
By Shane Lunnen
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Next to the Michigan game, the game against Penn State is probably the most anticipated game on Ohio State’s schedule. The Buckeyes only regular season loss last season was in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions outscored OSU 17-0 in the final quarter to complete the comeback. No Buckeye forgets the image of cornerback Grant Haley racing down the field for the game winning score after scooping up safety Marcus Allen‘s blocked field goal. Revenge will be on the Buckeyes minds for this game.
The Nittany Lions return most of their offense this season. Everyone knows what quarterback Trace McSorley and running back Saquon Barkley can do. The Lions also have one of the best tight ends in the country in Mike Gesicki. Even though receiver Chris Godwin left early for the NFL, the team still is loaded with a lot of talent at that position. Finally the offensive line, a liability for James Franklin‘s first two seasons, improved last year and now looks to be a strength.
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The Nittany Lion defense is replacing some quality players, but they’ll still be formidable. The linebackers will be great if they can stay healthy this year. Jason Cabinda is the best of this unit. The secondary took a blow in the spring with the loss of cornerback John Reid to a knee injury. Haley returns though, along with Allen, so the secondary should be a strength again.
This will be a real tough test for the Buckeyes. Although Columbus is never an easy place to play for any opposing team, Penn State has the talent and skill to go toe to toe with Ohio State. Most likely both teams will be in the top 10. This will be a real close game.
Both Barkley and Mike Weber will have outstanding games, each scoring a pair of touchdowns for their respective teams. J.T. Barrett will have a little more time to throw this year against Penn State’s defensive front and he’ll pick up a lot of yards on the ground and through the air. The game will be tied at 24 late and Barrett will have one last opportunity like he did last year against the Lions. Only this time he will deliver the game winning drive, delivering a touchdown strike to receiver K.J. Hill with less than a minute to go.
Ohio State avenges last year’s loss to Penn State and finds themselves in the driver seat of the division race with four games left.