Penn State Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Ohio State in Week 9

1. Penn State keeps it closer than the odds predict

Before Penn State’s loss to Indiana, this game was going to be a battle between two teams ranked in the top ten. Now it is not with the Lions ranked No. 18. The Penn State loss undoubtedly also changed the betting odds, with the current line at 12 points in favor of the visiting Buckeyes.

The last four matchups between these two schools have been great games, with the game’s winner each time going on to win the Big Ten championship. In 2016 it was Penn State winning by three on a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown late in the game. In both 2017 and 2018, the Buckeyes squeaked out one point victories. Last year it was an eleven point Ohio State victory but the game was closely contested into the fourth quarter.

Penn State’s season is on the line. With another loss they are effectively out of the running for the Big Ten championship. An upset win over the Buckeyes will be the boost they need and would keep them in the running.

Many Penn State fans likely think Ohio State will trounce the Nittany Lions. We don’t see it. The game will be close for the first three quarters. The Lions will go blow for blow with the Buckeyes and after three it will be tied at 28 apiece.

In the final frame, though, the Buckeyes pull away with 10 points to seal the deal. The Lions cover the spread but are still searching for their first win of the season.