The undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) visit the Penn State Nittany Lions (6-1, 3-1) Saturday in a key conference matchup. Kickoff from Beaver Stadium is set for noon ET (FOX). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Ohio State vs. Penn State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Buckeyes come into this game looking to defeat their 2nd ranked opponent this season. They are led by leading Heisman candidate QB C.J. Stroud, who has completed 70% of his passes (133 of 190) for 2,023 yards and 28 TDs with only 4 INTs.
Ohio State has 1 of the more balanced offenses in all of college football, possessing both a dominate running and passing attack. That potent running attack is led by junior RB Miyan Williams who has gained 516 yards on 74 carries and scored 9 TDs.
The Nittany Lions are looking for an outcome opposite the 1 they had vs. their last ranked opponent, when Michigan handed them a 41-17 loss on Oct. 15. Penn State is looking to carry the momentum after winning their White Out Game vs. Minnesota last week.
Led by 6th-year QB Sean Clifford, who is completing 61% of his passes (115 of 187) for 1,445 yard and 13 TDs with only 3 INTs. Penn State’s lethal running attack is led by 2 true freshman RBs, Nick Singleton (561 hards, 7 TDs) and Kaytron Allen (396 yards, 4 TDs).
Ohio State is No. 2 and Penn State is No. 13 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
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Ohio State at Penn State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:33 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Ohio State -700 (bet $700 to win $100) | Penn State +470 (bet $100 to win $470)
- Against the spread (ATS): Ohio State -15.5 (-110) | Penn State +15.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 61.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Ohio State at Penn State picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio State 42, Penn State 28
Money line
AVOID
Ohio State should win this game as the heavy favorites, even going against a tough Penn State crowd in Happy Valley. However, Ohio State is far too heavily favored for me to advise you to risk your money with that bet. The risk here is not at all worth the reward.
Against the spread
LEAN PENN STATE +15.5 (-110)
Even though Ohio State will prove they are simply too good for this Penn State team, this won’t be a huge blowout. Penn State is a very solid team both offensively and defensively and I don’t expect this to be an easy win for the heavily favored Buckeyes. Ohio State should win this game by a good margin, but Penn State won’t fold like they did 2 weeks ago in the 41-17 loss to Michigan. I expect this defense to cause problems for Stroud and the Buckeyes offense so I don’t believe Ohio State will win by 3 scores.
Over/Under
BET OVER 61.5 (-107)
The over here should be your best bet. Expect both of these high-powered and balanced offenses to put up insane numbers in this game. Both of these defenses are talented, but I expect both offenses to outshine their defenses. Don’t expect either defense to string together many stops consecutively in this game, which will likely hinge on which QB makes fewer mistakes. Both defenses must focus on stopping the run and if neither team is successful we could easily see both teams scoring 40+ points. I don’t see a scenario, barring injuries to key players, where you should feel confident in betting the under.
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