It’s that time of year again, folks.

Penn State takes on Ohio State in Columbus on Saturday in what was once considered a blockbuster matchup. Now that the Nittany Lions have plummeted to obscurity in the national rankings, the Buckeyes are heavy favorites to dismantle the blue and white.

Our staff is split on whether Penn State could pull off a miraculous upset in the ‘Shoe’ on Saturday; However, Vegas says the Buckeyes are nearly three-touchdown favorites.

Cadyn Gill (5-2): Ohio State 43, Penn State 13

Ohio State will score a lot, and Penn State will not.

Fernando Martinez Ruiz De Esparza (4-3): Ohio State 38, Penn State 6

This could be an ugly game, folks.

Before the season, this matchup was a highly anticipated showdown between two national championship contenders, and boy, that has changed a lot. Penn State now looks like a program that is in transition, while Ohio State remains a championship contender. The Nittany Lions are heading into this game with four straight losses, and while they looked like a much better and inspired team against Iowa, I just don’t see that being enough to make this game competitive against the best team in the country, especially with Ethan Grunkemeyer, who struggled in his first career start.

As for Ohio State, it is the best team in the country and has one of the most hostile environments in college football. It is undefeated right now and has the best defense in college football. The Buckeyes’ defense is ranked No. 1 this season and has only let an average of 5.86 points per game, including 0.43 points in the first quarter. The most points they have given up to an opponent is 16 against Illinois. Along with that, their offense is clicking right now with Julian Sayin at quarterback.

The Buckeyes are just too good, and I don’t see this being a close game. Penn State probably won’t score a touchdown, and we are bound to get an Ohio State blowout. (Prove me wrong, Terry Smith.)

Michael Zeno (4-3): Ohio State 34, Penn State 17

Penn State has not been an underdog by a margin this big in 12 years. They’re on a four-game losing streak and are limping into a once-gigantic game against the reigning national champions, seemingly left for dead.

Yet, I remember games in 2019 and 2021, where Penn State was three-score ‘dogs in Columbus and wound up covering. While those teams weren’t quite encountering the nightmarish circumstances of the 2025 team, they hold similarities. The 2019 team had a first-year starter in the biggest game of his life, and the 2021 team was battered with injuries and in the midst of a collapse.

In 2019, backup Will Levis entered midway through the game for an injured Clifford and rallied the Nittany Lions back from a 21-0 deficit to make it 21-17 after three, before Ohio State settled back in. In 2021, Penn State took an early lead and was also within a score after three quarters, ultimately losing 33-24.
Penn State will compete, fight, and cover. But ultimately, they’re just too good on the other side.

CJ Gill (4-3): Ohio State 30, Penn State 17

The Nittany Lions will show a lot of fight on Saturday, but it won’t be enough to overcome the talent advantage the Buckeyes have on the field. Ohio State is too good offensively, and Jim Knowles’ defense doesn’t have enough depth to keep Julian Sayin and company out of the end zone. Ethan Grunkemeyer showed plenty of poise on the road at Iowa, but not enough on the stat sheet to get the win, and I expect more of the same in Columbus. Ohio State is just too good, folks!

Jamie Lynch (3-4): Penn State 25, Ohio State 21

First, we’ll steal a win. Then we’ll steal your offensive coordinator.

Michael Siroty (2-2): Ohio State 34, Penn State 10

Ohio State is very good, especially defensively, and Penn State is unfortunately not. I’m not reading that much into this game. Ohio State is simply the better team. As we’ve seen over the last few games, the absence of Tony Rojas makes it hard for Penn State’s defense to contain quarterbacks, and I think Julian Sayin will prove that once again. Luckily, we won’t be disappointed with a loss this year.

Jacob Zacharia (1-0): Ohio State 24, Penn State 20

Ethan Grunkemeyer will have a good game, and Penn State will keep it competitive, but won’t get it going late in the fourth and fall yet again to Ohio State.

Noah Flenard (1-1): Ohio State 38, Penn State 10

To put it simply, Ohio State will rout us. While we have a similar talent level to Ohio State, this year seems to be a scratch. No Drew Allar or Tony Rojas spells disaster for Penn State. While guys like Zakee Wheatley and Kaytron Allen have been bright spots on a dark season, they won’t be enough to stop Ohio State. The defense has a tough time stopping the run and hasn’t been tested by a great wide receiver like Jeremiah Smith. While Julian Sayin, the Ohio State quarterback, is young, he is quite efficient and safe with the ball.

Jason Perry (1-3): Ohio State 31, Penn State 17

I would have predicted a loss in this game even without the events of the last month. Going on the road to play the number one team in the country is hard enough with a seasoned head coach and a star quarterback, so why would it be any easier with a rookie coach and a backup passer?

That being said, the team managed to compete against Iowa last week and could have won the game if a few things had gone differently. Jim Knowles spent time at Ohio State and knows how they operate, so that could give Penn State a leg up (as long as Knowles is not a sleeper agent for OSU like some people claim). Terry Smith has also had a bye week to work with his team and help them adjust to the new normal. It would be pretty funny if this were the Penn State team that pulled off the upset, but it would take a miracle.

Brandon Collica (1-0): Ohio State 38, Penn State 13

Ohio State is the better team, and with Penn State continuing with its struggles, Ohio State will get the easy win.

Karlee Feger (0-1): Ohio State 41, Penn State 10

Ohio State has been a dominant force on both sides of the ball this season. Their defense is ranked first in the nation in points allowed, with just under six points per game, and quarterback Julian Sayin is coming off a strong performance against Wisconsin. It will be interesting to see how Ethan Grunkemeyer adjusts to the No. 2 team in the Big Ten in his second start following Drew Allar’s injury. I think Ohio State will make this game very personal for Jim Knowles following his switch to Penn State.

Ericka Apolskis (0-0): Penn State 20, Ohio State 19

It will happen, trust.

Oscar Orellana (3-4): Penn State 20, Ohio State 17

Does anything matter anymore?

Cooper Cazares (3-4): Penn State 20, Ohio State 16

Do you believe in miracles? #TakeOverYourTrap #NothingToLose #ChopWood