Penn State vs. Ohio State Total Pick
Will No. 6 Ohio State and No. 2 Penn State have an offensive showdown when the two teams collide on Saturday at 3:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Ohio State is favored in this game, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -6.5 points against Penn State. The over/under total for the game has been set at 54.5 points. Ohio State has won four of the last five meetings with Penn State and the two have hit the under in their last two encounters. The public is currently putting 65 percent of the wagers on Penn State on the road. Saturday’s game takes place from Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio and will air live on FOX.
Penn State is coming off a big 42-13 win over Michigan at home last week to improve to 7-0 on the season and 4-0 in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions are 5-2 with the under this season. Penn State brings in one of the best defenses in the nation, as the Nittany Lions are allowing just 9.6 points and 282.9 yards per game this year. On offense, Penn State is averaging 40.0 points and 463.3 yards per contest. Saquon Barkley has run for 757 yards and eight touchdowns while catching 32 passes for 448 yards and three scores. Trace McSorley has thrown for 1,879 yards and 14 touchdowns and 14 touchdowns while also rushing for 254 yards and seven scores.
Ohio State is coming off a 56-14 win at Nebraska two weeks ago. The Buckeyes are now 6-1 on the season, 4-0 in the Big Ten and 5-2 with the over. Ohio State has one of the top offenses in the country, posting 47.3 points and 577.3 yards per game. J.T. Barrett has thrown for 1,838 yards and 21 touchdowns while also rushing for 359 yards and five scores. J.K. Dobbins is adding 775 rushing yards and five touchdowns while Parris Campbell has 28 catches for 405 yards and two scores. Defensively, Ohio State is holding opponents to just 15.4 points and 305.3 yards per game.
Bet on Penn State vs. Ohio State
This game should be very interesting. Ohio State has looked dominant lately, but the Buckeyes haven’t faced a team like this since losing at home to Oklahoma, 31-16, in Week 2. Penn State has looked great as well, but also had to grind out a 21-19 win at Iowa earlier this year. I think the Penn State offense will definitely challenge Ohio State and force Barrett to be a pocket passer, which should limit the damage the OSU offense does. I also think the Ohio State offense will be able to contain Barkley somewhat and force McSorely to have to beat them with his arm. I think this game is a lot like last year’s, somewhere in the 24-21 range.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: PENN STATE/OHIO STATE UNDER 54.5