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Penn State at Ohio State: 4 things to watch for on Saturday

By Joe Russo

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 14: Quarterback J.T. Barrett
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 14: Quarterback J.T. Barrett /
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COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 09: Ohio State Buckeyes cheerleaders run onto the field before the game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 09: Ohio State Buckeyes cheerleaders run onto the field before the game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Can Ohio State force a “road disadvantage” for Penn State?

In the last 15 match ups against Penn State, the Buckeyes are 11-4. In Columbus, that record is 6-2 over the same stretch. T

he last win for Penn State in Columbus could not have been a more scandal plagued affair. Luke Fickell was the interim head coach for the Buckeyes in the first year after Jim Tressel was fired as part of “Tattogate”.

For Penn State, this was the first win after Joe Paterno was let go as part of the Jerry Sandusky scandal and replaced by Tom Bradley.

Under James Franklin, Penn State has not stepped up in big moments on the road. In 2015, Penn State fell flat in their biggest away games. The first was in Columbus and ended in a 38-10 loss to then top ranked Ohio State.

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    • Later in their last regular season game, the Nittany Lions were spanked in East Lansing by #5 Michigan State for a 55-16. In 2016, #4 Michigan handed James Franklin’s group a 49-10 beat down.

    Ohio State needs to take advantage of the home environment and the raucous Ohio Stadium crowd. This game is the first major hurdle in the Big Ten schedule to clear for the Buckeyes, so playing at home is preferable. The routine of being in your home stadium and the time not spent traveling are beneficial ahead of such an important game. Ohio Stadium is a tough place to play and the Buckeyes will need to use every advantage the ‘Shoe and Buckeye Nation have to offer.

    Game Prediction:

    Even the most optimistic Buckeye fan cannot anticipate a high scoring game. Penn State will lean on Barkley and both defenses have played so well in 2017 that it’s tough to see either team breaking 35 points.

    Next: 5 reasons Ohio State will crush Penn State

    Barkley will get his yards, but the Buckeye will limit the damage as much as they can. While Barkley will find the end zone, J.T. Barrett will have a Heisman game and show the improvement the last few weeks is legit.

    Final Score: Ohio State 28, Penn State 24

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