Gameday Coverage: Penn State vs. No. 1 Ohio State

Hailey Stutzman | Onward State

Happy gameday, folks!

Penn State comes out of its second and final bye week of the season with a date in Columbus against the top-ranked Buckeyes. Interim head coach Terry Smith and Ethan Grunkemeyer have had a week to work out the kinks of the Nittany Lions’ performance against Iowa, but it’s definitely going to be a challenge to make a statement against the reigning national champions.

Nonetheless, it’s a Penn State-Ohio State gameday. Here’s everything you need to know as the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes’ final face off until 2028.

Television

Well, well, well.

FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show will be on the scene for Penn State-Ohio State for what feels like the millionth time. Nonetheless, Gus Johnson will take on play-by-play duties, Joel Klatt will be on color commentary, and Jenny Dell will report from the sidelines. Kickoff is slated for noon on the network.

Radio

Penn State Sports Network – Steve Jones, Jack Ham, and Brian Tripp
Local: 99.5 & 103.7 FM / 1450 AM, Sirius XM: 385

Weather

It’ll be 54° and mostly cloudy in Columbus on Saturday afternoon with a RealFeel of 49°, according to AccuWeather. Wind gusts will be up to 29 mph, and there is a 25% chance of precipitation.

Injuries

Smith said Monday that there was no update on quarterback Jaxon Smolik after he left the game against Iowa, but Smolik was seen at practice on Wednesday. Smith said Bekkem Kritza, who’s been out for every game this season, will be available if Smolik can’t go. Kritza was also at practice, notably taking reps behind starter Ethan Grunkemeyer. Smith said that starting offensive lineman Vega Ioane and defensive end Zuriah Fisher should be back to take on the Buckeyes.

The list of players out against Iowa also included Kaden Saunders, Peter Gonzalez, Max Granville, Mason Robinson, Kaleb Artis, Jordan Mayer, Jaylen Harvey, Brady O’Hara, Liam Horan, Donte Nastasi, Lamont Payne Jr., Kari Jackson, Tony Rojas, and Drew Allar.

Series History

Penn State’s atrocious run of form against the Buckeyes needs no introduction.

Ohio State has won the last eight consecutive matchups against the Nittany Lions. Penn State’s last win came in a 24-21 nail-biter in Beaver Stadium, which also represents former Penn State boss James Franklin’s sole win over the Buckeyes.

In total, Ohio State holds the series lead 25-14.

Betting Lines

The Nittany Lions face their largest underdog spread since 2013. Ohio State is favored by 18.5 points. The over/under is set at 44.5 points, according to DraftKings.

Media Coverage

Onward State will have you covered throughout today’s game. Find big plays, analysis, photos, and more on our main Twitter account @OnwardState as well as play-by-play commentary from @OnwardStSports.

Football writers Cooper Cazares (@CooperCazares), Collin Ward (@wardcollinz), and Oscar Orellana (@__oscarorellana) will provide you with coverage from inside the press box. Photographers Sophie Yadzinski (@sophieyadz) and Ericka Apolskis (@ericka_apolskis) will provide visual updates from the field.

Onward State

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About the Author

Oscar Orellana

Oscar is a second-year broadcast journalism student from Los Angeles. In his downtime, he can be found crying while watching Todd Gurley highlights or reposting movie edits on TikTok. He mostly writes about Penn State football. Email him at [email protected] or message him on Instagram @_oscarorellana.

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