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Yes – Penn State is a rivalry game! Make no mistake, it’s not The Game by any stretch, but when these two get together, sparks fly.
Ohio and Pennsylvania have always had some bad blood. Maybe it has something to do with the Steelers, Browns, and Bengals hatred for each other. No need to look farther than a week ago when a Pittsburgh/Cleveland melee took place which will leave a scare on the entire NFL image.
Maybe it goes back to the Big 33 game that was played annually between Ohio and Pennsylvania’s top high school talent. But Pennsylvania dropped the Buckeye state after the 2012 edition… maybe because Ohio had one four in a row and owned a 13 to 12 advantage in all time wins. Pennsylvania picked up Maryland by the way. Maybe a little more their speed.
Ohio State vs. Penn State Enemy Territory preview. Get to know the Nittany Lions https://t.co/cFyY1bdc2p
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) November 21, 2019
Whatever the reason, I’d argue that behind Michigan, there’s no one team the Buckeyes want to beat more than the Nittany Lions. And since Penn State joined the Big Ten, without a natural rival, there’s no other team Nittany Lions want to beat more than the Buckeyes.
I’d say that has all the makings of a rivalry game.
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