The Penn State Nittany Lions play host to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday afternoon in a crucial Big Ten showdown from Beaver Stadium. The Buckeyes are off to one of the best starts in college football and while they are looking like a firm playoff contender, a trip to Penn State is never easy. For Penn State, they find themselves coming off a road win last week to right the ship and will be looking to keep the success coming against one of their biggest rivals. The Buckeyes have won five straight in the series and while favored in this one, it remains a game that fans will want to tune in for.
The Buckeyes have started the 2022 season looking like one of the best teams in college football, though they know that they can't afford to slip up this weekend. With a 7-0 record and primed for a playoff spot, Ohio State has been able to find success against opponents of all types this season but questions remain. Penn State is sure to be their toughest test yet though. Notre Dame appears to be their best win and considering their dropoff since the start of the season, it's clear that the Buckeyes haven't seen a worthy adversary yet. Adding in the fact that this is only their second road game of the season, there could be some early adjustments for this group.
All eyes on the weekend will be on the status of Jaxon Smith-Njigba (lower body). Having only appeared in one game this season, he is probable this weekend, which should serve to only make the Buckeyes even more dangerous at wide receiver. A few ot hers find themselves questionable but with none being impact players, it shouldn't impact the outcome.
we seem to always find @julian_040 in the endzone ?? pic.twitter.com/qS0pd5EPgP
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 25, 2022
Ohio State's offense hasn't wasted any time establishing itself as one of the most explosive groups in the country and if it wasn't for taking their foot off the gas in most games, they could rank even higher nationally. With the nation's second-best scoring offense, they'll look at their chances to find balanced success this weekend. CJ Stroud (28 touchdowns, 4 interceptions) is one of the Heisman favorites, while the depth at running back and wide receiver are unmatched.
For all the national attention that the offense gets, this also is one of the country's best defenses as well. They rank in the top five nationally in total yards, passing defense, and scoring defense. With Penn State's struggles to move the ball prior to last week, the Buckeyes are sure to cause similar issues. Tommy Eichenberg (57 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 touchdown) has been elite in the middle but the presence of Michael Hal l Jr. (4.5 sacks) is sure to wreck havoc in Penn State's backfield all night.