Penn State Nittany Lions (4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0 SU, 4-2-1 ATS)
College Football Week 9
Date/Time: Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 8PM EST
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
TV: ABC
By Loot, NCAA Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: PSU +14/OSU -14
Over/Under Total: 55.5
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On Saturday in a Big Ten matchup, the Penn State Nittany Lions travel to Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. Penn State is coming off a thrilling overtime win over Michigan. Ohio State stayed unbeaten after a tough win over Iowa, a game they needed 10 unanswered 4th quarter points to win.
Normally, you wouldn’t think this Penn State squad could stand a chance against an Ohio State team going for its 20th straight win. But if you were going to pick Penn State, why not after a win against Michigan and a two-week break? That was a major triumph for a team that has really overachieved, in light of the shambles left behind following the scandal. Coach Bill O’Brien has galvanized this squad and say what you will, but as far as teams getting the most out of their talent, Penn State ranks up there highly.
Coming off a pair of consecutive 300-yard games, true freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg is coming into his own, as you’d figure he might under the stewardship of QB-friendly coach O’Brien. They are again bowl-ineligible, but that says something about their character, too. They’ve been expending full-effort, knowing there are no postseason considerations.
This entire Nittany Lions squad has relegated themselves to their fate. Reality is what it is and they’re making the best of it. Beyond any stats you can quote, that means something. You can never count out a team like that. The aerial attack, with Hackenberg and top receiver Allen Robinson (43-705-5), is taking flight and has a lot of upside. And running backs Zach Zwinak (8 touchdowns), Bill Belton, and Akeel Lynch (7.7 average) haven’t been too bad. But this is more of a pass-happy unit.
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Ohio State didn’t impress on Saturday, but they got the job done. It’s a little strange to say about a team with a traditionally great program, a marquee coach, and 19 straight wins under their belt--but it’s like they’re losing steam. They are a distant 4th in the BCS rankings and might need something bad to happen to the teams ranked above them, even if they do run the table. It might be difficult to make a case for Ohio State being ranked ahead of Alabama, Florida State, or Oregon, but it’s still a strange position to be in. They’re a team that has been doing nothing but winning for almost two full years and what do they have to show for it? They were ineligible for a bowl last season and look to be a victim of playing in a weak Big Ten this season.
They are still a powerful team--make no mistake. RB Carlos Hyde is really hitting his stride with 317 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns in the last two games. QB Braxton Miller has been excellent since returning from a knee injury. Their defense is solid, especially against the run. But in recent weeks, they have been giving up points. It’s not difficult to imagine Hackenberg having some success against the pass “D” that’s been seen in recent weeks from Ohio State.
You almost have to wonder if Ohio State has peaked already. They peel off this long winning streak that is still active and all they have is a number-four ranking to show for it. This is a team that has a lot of heart. A lot of these guys are the same ones who forged an unbeaten season last year despite not having a bowl game or any honors to play for. But they just got through the toughest part of their season. They emerged unscathed and still aren’t getting much BCS love. It doesn’t help when one of their better opponents, the then-unbeaten Northwestern, goes on to lose 2 more straight games after Ohio State beat them.
The early spread is 14 and it seems doable. Ohio State is the king of the Big Ten this season and Penn State, while able to beat Michigan, is probably closer to the middle-of-the-pack. Look for the Buckeyes to play a good game on Saturday to cover the number.
Loot's Pick to Cover the Point Spread: I’m betting on the Ohio State Buckeyes minus 14 points.
