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Big Ten football: 3 bold predictions for Week 9 action

By Christopher Mangum

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 15: Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball and avoids tackles by Curtis Jacobs #23 and Kobe King #41 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 41-17 over the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 15: Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball and avoids tackles by Curtis Jacobs #23 and Kobe King #41 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 41-17 over the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /
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Both Big Ten football divisions are still up for grabs right now, and there are plenty of exciting matchups coming our way this weekend.

Here are three bold predictions for Week 9.

3. Penn State upsets Ohio State

No. 13 Penn State will host No. 2 Ohio State, and frankly, I think this weekend we could see a massive upset. There are a few reasons I think this, but a lot of it has to do with the setting of the game.

Ohio State has not faced Penn State on the road with a full stadium since 2018 — a year where the Buckeyes’ roster (and coaching staff) was very different than it is right now. Penn State’s last two matchups in a full Beaver Stadium were both nail biters, one ended in a 24-21 win and the other in a one-point loss.

The Nittany Lions have a bad loss to Michigan, but in fairness, we have not seen Ohio State face anyone of Michigan’s caliber yet, so we cannot make an accurate comparison. That is not to say Ohio State hasn’t looked incredible this year, they have, but it is only fair seeing as Penn State has looked good in most of its games as well.

This weekend will be Penn State’s “Stripe Out” game, and coming off of a huge 45-17 White Out win over Minnesota, Nittany Lion fans will be fired up for this one. Ohio State’s toughest (and only) road opponent to this point was Michigan State, and frankly, I was not convinced with the Buckeyes’ performance.

I think Penn State can keep this game close; after all, the Nittany Lions are built for beating teams like Ohio State, and less so ones like Michigan. James Franklin has made it a point to build a roster that can compete with teams that play like Ohio State does, but not necessarily as physical as some other Big Ten teams. I believe the Nittany Lions will keep the OSU run game in check and force CJ Stroud to pass on Penn State’s incredible secondary.

This is one that most don’t see coming, however it is a bold prediction for a reason. Penn State hands the Buckeyes their first loss of 2022.

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