Penn State Has Had Real Issues At The Shoe

Penn State is one of the best teams in the nation. Their offense features one of the best players in the country while their defense is criminally underrated. However, the Penn State program has struggled when traveling to Columbus, going just 2-9 SU and ATS in the last 11 games at Ohio State. Penn State and Ohio State clash this weekend in one of the biggest games of the season with a victory potentially propelling the Sportsbook to a playoff spot.

Shark Bites
  • Penn State is 14-1-1 ATS in its last 16 games.
  • Ohio State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games against Penn State.
  • Penn State had 6 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss vs Ohio State last season.

Ohio State had Penn State on the ropes when these two teams met last season but the Nittany Lions went off for 17 points in the fourth quarter to pull off the upset victory. That game was the first time Penn State had beaten Ohio State since 2011 and the first time they beat a top two-ranked team since 1990.

Penn State’s offense is in good hands. Running back Saquon Barkley might be the best player in the nation and quarterback Trace McSorley is playing his best football of the season. It’s the defense that is quietly separating Penn State from the field, as the Nittany Lions have yet to allow more than 19 points in a game and rank seventh in the nation in sacks.

Ohio State’s offense has been otherworldly since a loss to Oklahoma in their second game of the season. Since that setback, the Buckeyes are averaging 53.2 points and 619 yards of offense per game. That span has seen quarterback J.T. Barrett account for 22 touchdowns with no turnovers. On the other side of the ball, the Buckeyes defense is holding opponents to just 15.4 ppg on the year.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

Betting fans looking to back the visiting Penn State Nittany Lions in this one found them as 7-point underdogs on the Sportsbook college football point spread at Sportsbook. Bookmark the college football odds pages to see where the OVER/UNDER number opens in this game.

OddsShark computer score prediction models picked a possible 37-36 win for the Buckeyes early in the week. That score may change during the week, if injury or weather factors alter the numbers, so check the college football picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.

Penn State Nittany Lions vs Ohio State Buckeyes Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Penn State Nittany Lions will try to spoil the party on Saturday; they are 5-1-1 against the spread this season, while the Ohio State Buckeyes are 4-3 ATS. Penn State is 2-5 on the OVER/UNDER betting totals; Ohio State is 5-2. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Ohio State vs Penn State injuries news.

The Ohio State Buckeyes sit at No. 4 in the current College Football Power Rankings here at OddsShark, while the Penn State Nittany Lions are at No. 2 on that chart.

Statistical Matchup

Offensively, the game matches up the Ohio State Buckeyes' No. 2-ranked offense (47.29 PPG) against a Penn State Nittany Lions defense that ranks No. 1 at 9.57 PPG. The Buckeyes passing attack has averaged 325.14 yards per game, more than the Nittany Lions give up through the air (167.57 YPG on average).

In comparing defenses, the Nittany Lions own the league's No. 8-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 74.5 yards per game when on the road. Ohio State, on the other hand, rates No. 29 this week in generating rushing yards at home.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

Saquon Barkley went over the 100-yard mark (108) in his team's latest effort as Penn State defeated Michigan by a score of 42-13 on Saturday.

J.T. Barrett's 325-yard performance through the air was enough last time out, as Ohio State earned a 56-14 win over Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium-Lincoln.

Betting Trends
  • Penn State is 14-1-1 ATS in its last 16 games
  • Penn State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Penn State's last 7 games
  • Penn State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
  • Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ohio State's last 5 games
  • Ohio State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
  • Ohio State is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games at home

Next Betting Matchups

Penn State at Michigan State, Saturday, November 4
Ohio State at Iowa, Saturday, November 4

Penn State is 14-1-1 ATS in its last 16 games.away Ohio State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games against Penn State.home Penn State had 6 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss vs Ohio State last season.away
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