Fourth-ranked Ohio State and No. 3 Penn State are set for another pivotal showdown on Saturday.
Saturday’s meeting between the two programs may carry some extra weight, especially for the Buckeyes.
Considering Ohio State is coming into the game with a loss to Oregon back on Oct. 12, dropping a second conference game at this point in the season would presumably knock the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten Championship game, barring some late-season chaos. A second overall loss would make Ohio State’s chances of reaching the College Football Playoff much slimmer.
Heading into Saturday’s top-five matchup, the first between the two teams since 1996, Ohio State has won each of the last seven meetings and nine of the last ten.
If Ohio State is going to keep this trend going, quarterback Will Howard and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith should have a huge say in it.
According to the Associated Press, Howard is second in the country in quarterback efficiency (183.90), third in completion percentage (74.0) and tied for 14th in touchdown passes (17). Howard has only thrown four interceptions all season. Additionally, he’s passed for over 200 yards in every game, averaged 80 percent or better completions in four of Ohio State’s seven games and thrown multiple touchdown passes in all but one.
Smith only needs six receptions to tie Hall of Famer Cris Carter’s school record as a freshman. Smith has 623 receiving yards and eight TDs.
Moreover, a huge part of Penn State’s success lies in its defense, which has only allowed six fourth-quarter points all season.
Nittany Lions running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton have found tremendous success on the ground. Combined, the two have rushed for 992 yards and seven TDs. Both players have five combined receiving TDs.
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren has also been impressive, with 559 receiving yards and four TDs.
Something to keep an eye on for Penn State is the health of quarterback Drew Allar. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Allar is expected to play against Ohio State. Allar injured his left leg during the team’s Week 9 victory over Wisconsin.
The stakes could not be higher as Ohio State and Penn State prepare for another pivotal showdown, with both teams’ fates on the line.
