Ohio State enters this game after a huge statement win on the road against Wisconsin. Penn State comes into Saturday with two losses to Pitt and Michigan, and head coach James Franklin is still searching for a signature win this season. If Franklin’s Penn State team wants to upset the Buckeyes, there is a lot it has to do on both sides of the ball.
Ohio State vs. Penn State 2016 live stream: How to watch online
Can Penn State upset Ohio State on Saturday night in Happy Valley?
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For starters, the Buckeyes rank fourth in the country on offense when it comes to points per game, averaging a whopping 49 points each week. Penn State’s defense is ranked 73rd in that same category, so the Nittany Lions defense has their work cut out for them. Equally impressive this season has been the Buckeye’s defense, which ranks third in the nation. Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley has been impressive so far this season, throwing for over 1,400 yards and eight touchdowns, along with three rushing scores.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ABC. Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler will be on the call with Samantha Ponder on the sidelines.
Radio: Ohio State, Penn State
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Ohio State is currently favored by 20 points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Land-Grant Holy Land for OSU fans and Black Shoe Diaries for Penn State fans.
Three big things to know
1. Penn State plays well at home: The Nittany Lions have won 10 of the last 11 games in Happy Valley, dating back to last season. However, Ohio State has fared well playing Penn State at home in recent years. In fact, the last time the Buckeyes lost in Happy Valley was in 2005. Penn State played OSU well at home in the past, however. Since 1993, the Buckeyes are 6-5 at State College.
2. Urban Meyer is successful on the road: In the Buckeyes’ victory over Wisconsin on the road last weekend, head coach Urban Meyer earned a 20-0 record in true road games. He joined some elite company in the process, too. The last head coach to reach 20 road wins was Walter Camp back in the late 1880s.
3. OSU’s offense thrives under J.T. Barrett: In last week’s win over Wisconsin, Buckeye quarterback J.T. Barrett scored three touchdowns to became Ohio State’s all-time leader with 89 touchdowns. That broke Braxton Miller’s record of 88 touchdowns. What’s even more impressive is that his 89 touchdowns rank second among active FBS players since the beginning of the 2014 season.
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