The biggest game of Ohio State’s 2018 season is set for this weekend when the Buckeyes (No 4) travel to Happy Valley to play Penn State (No 9) at 7:30pm on ABC. ESPN College Gameday will be there in the morning and the place will be as loud and packed as it ever has been. A whiteout in Beaver Stadium is something fans are used to. Ohio State is favored by 3.5 points.
Urban Liar
Urban Meyer is back for second game since being suspended by the university for not properly reporting domestic abuse allegations against his now fired wide-receivers coach. Fans at Penn State have come out with ‘Urban Liar’ shirts that caused Shelley Meyer to fire back at the school on social media for its hospitality.
Dwayne Haskins
Dwayne Haskins continues to be the main story with 16 touchdowns threw 4 games, and a great performance against Tulane where he went 21 of 24 for 5 touchdowns and over 300 yards. His Heisman candidacy looks better every week with most commentators sure that he will get drafted into the NFL as soon as he is eligible.
Playoff Hopes
Losing on Saturday will make it harder to reach the NCAA playoff at the end of the season while winning almost ensures you are in the Top 4. Both teams need to finish the rest of their season’s unbeaten and get some help to have both make the playoff.
Offensive Show
Both teams feature a great offense and a defense that can get burnt at times. The one factor yet to be determined is if Tommy Stevens will play after injury, giving Penn State one additional weapon. The Nittany Lions average 55 points a game while Ohio State averages 54.5. Trace McSorley is a dual threat quarterback that the Buckeyes need to contain on Saturday. Running back Miles Sanders showed last week that he is capable to earning big yards behind a very strong offensive line.
Ohio State will have Mike Weber back but Ohio State has been more successful through the air the last two times the teams met. Wide receivers KJ Hill and Parris Campbell are both having big years with Haskins leading the team. The teams lack of a running quarterback threat should be an advantage as Haskins is very accurate (75 %) and involves many options in the Buckeye attack.
Penn State head coach James Franklin is 1-3 against Ohio State. Urban Meyer is now 6-1 against the Nittany Lions.
2018 Ohio State Football: Penn State Trailer