EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, September 29^th, the (4-0) Ohio State Buckeyes will be on the road to take on the (4-0) Penn State Nittany Lions.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Ohio State 36.9 – Penn State 26.4 with an over/under of 63.2.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of Ohio State 38 – Penn State 31.

Mark is predicting a final score of Penn State 37 – Ohio State 33.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: Ohio State 365.8 YPG > Penn State 239.5 YPG

Rushing offense: Penn State 275.0 YPG > Ohio State 233.3 YPG

Scoring offense: Penn State 55.5 PPG > Ohio State 54.5 PPG

Scoring defense: Ohio State 17.0 PPG > Penn State 19.5 PPG

Passing defense: Ohio State 181.3 YPG > Penn State 173.3 YPG

Rushing defense: Ohio State 142.0 YPG > Penn State 172.5 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: Ohio State +1.2 > Penn State +0.2

Summary:

Ohio State is (4-0) to start the season with wins over Oregon State, Rutgers, Tulane, and then ranked #15 TCU.  Ohio State’s one signature win doesn’t look as appealing after TCU got steamrolled by Texas.  The Buckeyes rank 2^nd in points per game (54.5) and 23^rd in scoring defense (17.0). PPG).  Quarterback Dwayne Haskins should be getting more consideration for the Heisman Trophy after completing 75% of his passes for 1,194 yards with a phenomenal 16 touchdown to 1 interception ratio.  Lou Holtz, on our college football show, mentioned J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber as the best backfield duo in the country.  Haskins has a plethora of good receivers in Parris Campbell, K.J. Hill, Terry McLaurin, and Austin Mack.  The Buckeyes were dealt a huge blow win it was announced that All-American defensive end Nick Bosa had surgery and will be out indefinitely.  Luckily for Ohio State defensive line is the deepest position on the roster and they will be able to replace at least some of Bosa’s gaudy production.

Penn State is (4-0) with victories over Appalachian State, Pittsburgh, Kent State, and Illinois.  After their first week overtime scare, Penn State has responded with three blowout wins.  The Nittany Lions rank 1^st in points per game (55.5) and 35^th in scoring defense (19.5). PPG).  After the departure of Saquon Barkley did anyone have Penn State as the nation’s highest scoring team after four weeks?  Miles Sanders has helped to fill the Barkley void by rushing for 495 yards (7.0 YPC) and 5 touchdowns.  Quarterback Trace McSorely has completed only 53% of his passes for 763 yards with 8 touchdowns to 2 interceptions.  McSorely is the team’s second leading rusher with 235 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground.  Penn State has outscored the opposition by a ridiculous 177-40.

Bottom Line:

College football’s two highest scoring offenses will go head to head with Big Ten title implications on the line.  Ohio State will be without Nick Bosa and the big question will be can they still get pressure on McSorely?  The Buckeyes have been unstoppable both running and passing the football.  Dwyane Haskins is the best quarterback Urban Meyer has had in Columbus and will be the difference in a tightly contested match-up.

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