Don't have a strong opinion about this at all but certainly will watch it, so want a small betting rooting interest -- I hate Ohio State with all my being (unless they are playing Michigan) and thus had an interest straight up. PSU QB Drew Allar will play, so this is the last 3.5 on our board. I've heard the "if not now, when?" question about Penn State finally beating the Buckeyes after seven straight losses. And I agree: If not now, when? Certainly possible, and with a victory the Lions are probably in the Big Ten title game and College Football Playoff as I wrote about in Friday's premium newsletter -- sign up. But I just hope for a close, down-to-the wire classic.

The Buckeyes struggled last week against Nebraska, perhaps in a look-ahead spot to this crucial showdown. They have won seven straight in this series and we expect they will make it eight. Penn State QB Drew Allar is questionable with an injury and naturally the Lions would be hindered without him. Moreover, Penn State is coming off two tight road games in which it defeated USC in overtime and pulled away late for a 28-13 win at Wisconsin. Ohio State has the No. 4-ranked defense in the country and that should be the difference, along with a greater sense of urgency consider it already has a loss on its record.

Tough road environment, but not one unfamiliar to Ohio State. My main concern is clearly with the quarterback situation for Penn State. I don't think Drew Allar is close to 100% if he plays, and if he doesn’t, the offense will shift significantly with Beau Pribula. This change likely wouldn’t be well-suited for playing from behind. Ohio State has a legitimate top-10 defense that should find success limiting big plays in this matchup. The game simply means more to Ohio State than to Penn State, who could lose this game and still make the playoff with wins against Washington, Purdue, Minnesota, and Maryland.

Since 2021, Penn State is 0-6 vs. Ohio State and Michigan, and 35-5 vs. everyone else. The Buckeyes have won 7 straight and 11 of last 12 in series, including each of the last five games between 8 and 13 points. After their loss to Oregon, Ohio State needs this one badly to remain a top-tier contender in the College Football Playoff. Ryan Day's team is more talented and will once again continue their dominance over the Nittany Lions. Ohio State 24, Penn State 16.

Ohio State is 6-1 and 1-1 on the road and hasn't covered their last two spreads. Penn State is 7-0 but they haven't covered in three of their last four games and now have the prospect of playing without quarterback Drew Allar. Ohio State has the No. 2 ranked defense in the nation allowing only 254 yards per game while Penn State has the No. 4 ranked defense that allows 267 yards per game. Ohio State has won the last seven meetings but Penn State has covered five of those. Five of the last six meetings have stayed under but not with a total this low. Last year's score was Ohio State 20-12 and I see something similar this year. Just the under.