Penn State is in some different territory this weekend with a matchup in Columbus, Ohio, against the No. 1-ranked Ohio State. The Nittany Lions covered for the first time this season against Iowa, in a 25-24 loss, but will face an uphill climb as 20.5-point underdogs against the Buckeyes.

Ohio State doesn’t look to have lost a step from its 2025 National Championship season, despite losing four players in the first round of the NFL Draft and both coordinators. The Buckeyes are -1350 on the money line.

The Nittany Lions will have the backs against the wall and need to play confidently with the entire country counting them out.

The Team

Ohio State is 7-0 this season with big wins against then No. 20 Texas, Washington, and Illinois. From the jump, both sides of the ball have been dominant with two shutouts on the season and at least 30 points in five games.

The team is led by seven-year coach Ryan Day. After helping lead his team to a national championship in 2025, Day has a 77-10 record with the Buckeyes. Day was subject to a lot of questions from the Ohio State faithful prior to winning the big one.

The offensive coordinator is Brian Hartline. He has become synonymous with elite receiving talent in Columbus, as he served as a wide receiver coach until this year. Hartline was tasked with play-calling in the past, but was stripped of those duties before the season. This time, though, he has the offense playing well, with two potential Heisman Award winners in Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith.

Matt Patricia is serving as the defensive coordinator after Jim Knowles left Columbus for Penn State in the offseason. Despite a struggling head coaching record in the NFL, 13-29-1, he has stepped into his collegiate role flawlessly.

The Offense

The most talented player in all of college football is a sophomore receiver for Ohio State, Smith. His production this season has continued as he leads the team with 602 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith’s partner in crime, Carnell Tate, is equally gifted with 587 yards and six touchdowns.

A big addition for the Buckeyes has been receiving tight end Max Klare. He joined from Purdue this offseason and has 204 yards and a touchdown in six games.

Leading the Buckeyes from under center is sophomore Julian Sayin. He transferred from Alabama after Nick Saban announced his retirement, but sat under Will Howard last season. Despite never starting a college game, Sayin has been very calm under pressure. He has thrown for 1872 yards and 19 touchdowns this season.

The running back room looks completely different from last season, with Treveyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins going to the NFL. Bo Jackson, no, not that one, leads Ohio State with 442 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. He was the No. 1 running back in Ohio coming out of high school.

The Defense

Ohio State is led defensively by arguably the best linebacker duo in the country in Avril Reese and Sonny Styles. The two have combined for 81 tackles, two turnovers, and three quarterback hits through seven games. Their pure athleticism allows them to cover the entire field.

Caleb Downs is the Buckeyes’ freak on the defensive side, thought of as the best player on that side of the ball in the country. The safety has 34 tackles, one interception, and one quarterback hit. He also transferred to Ohio State from the Crimson Tide.

Ohio State lost four of its starters on the defensive line, which rightfully had Buckeye supporters doubting that area this season. Patricia has coached excellently in that aspect, though, finding the right rotation to be as effective as possible.

Senior Caden Curry has stepped up hugely, leading the team with seven sacks. Junior defensive tackle Kayden McDonald also has six.

Special Teams

Jayden Fielding, Ohio State’s kicker again for 2025, is eight for 10 on the season with a long of 38 yards. He misses his only attempt from over 50, and is yet to attempt one between 40 and 50 yards. The Buckeyes punter is Joe McGuire; his longest is 55.