No. 2 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten)
at Penn State (4-2, 2-1), 8 p.m. (ABC)
Line: Ohio State by 20.
Series Record: Ohio State leads 18-13.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Ohio State can improve to 35-1 in regular season conference games under Meyer and can take another step toward the Big Ten championship game with a win. The Nittany Lions are still looking for a marquee win during James Franklin’s tenure. He’s 0-7 against the Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State and the Nittany Lions are 0-9 against top-five 5 teams in the last decade.
KEY MATCHUP
Penn State’s offensive line against Ohio State’s front seven. The Buckeyes have allowed 99 and 236 rushing yards in each of the past two games. The Nittany Lions need to extend their possessions and keep the clock moving to protect their own wounded defense and keep the Buckeyes’ talented offense off the field.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ohio State: QB J.T. Barrett has picked up the pace with his legs recently, maybe a bad sign for the Nittany Lions who’ve struggled against running quarterbacks. Barrett’s completion percentage is down to 59 percent over the three games and he’s thrown an interception in each one. But he’s rushed for 275 yards and three touchdowns in that span.
Penn State: RB Saquon Barkley has had an extra week to rest his legs after 51 carries over the last two games. The elusive playmaker broke loose for 202 yards and a touchdown against Maryland in Penn State’s last outing.
FACTS & FIGURES
Ohio State has won four straight at Beaver Stadium, its last loss coming in 2005. . Since then, Penn State has gone 11-25 against Top 25 teams. . In that span, the Nittany Lions have lost four times to an Ohio State team ranked in the top five. … The last time they played in Happy Valley, the Buckeyes won in double overtime 31-24. . Penn State will have linebackers Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell back. . They missed the last five and four games respectively and returned to practice Wednesday. . They are not expected to start. . Ohio State will likely get linebacker Dante Booker (knee).