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Penn State Football Prediction Roundtable: Nittany Lions at Buckeyes

By Barry Leonard Jr.

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 21: Saquon Barkley
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 21: Saquon Barkley /
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Barry Leonard, Co-Site Expert

This year’s schedule didn’t do Penn State any favors, as the Nittany Lions are in the middle of a brutal three-game stretch that includes road games against Ohio State and Michigan State. Part one — a home game with Michigan — went exactly how the Nittany Lions wanted last week.

Columbus won’t be an easy place to play, especially considering the fans and players will want to get revenge for last season’s upset.

Penn State is rolling right now and looked very strong last week. Quarterback Trace McSorley had four total touchdowns against the Wolverines and can be a very dangerous weapon for the Nittany Lions. When he throws the ball, McSorley has multiple talented targets to throw to.

Ohio State’s secondary is a clear weakness on defense and could be exploited by the Nittany Lions.

Of course, the main focus of the Penn State offense is running back Saquon Barkley. Even if the Buckeyes are able to stack the box and stop him from running, offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead is creative enough to figure out different ways to get the ball into the hands of his biggest play-maker.

On defense, the Nittany Lions have been very strong and lead the nation in scoring defense. They will have their hands full with Ohio State, but should be up to the challenge.

When looking at the game, there are a lot of factors playing against the Nittany Lions. They haven’t fared well in recent years at Ohio Stadium and the Buckeyes seem to be firing on all cylinders.

However, even with the Ohio State offense playing better, I’m still confident in the Nittany Lions. Penn State’s offense is absolutely loaded and just put up 42 points and nearly 600 yards on the top-ranked Michigan defense.

Also, I’m thinking that a big play on special teams, likely by DeAndre Thompkins or Barkley will change the complexion of the game in favor of the Nittany Lions.

This one certainly won’t be easy at the start, but Penn State is too good in all facets of the game. Look for the Nittany Lions to come up big and walk out of Columbus with an undefeated record and a clear path to the College Football Playoff.

Penn State 31

Ohio State 20 

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