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Penn State vs. Ohio State preview, odds, prediction, TV channel, live stream

By Cody Williams

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 08: Tight end Luke Farrell (89) of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) of the Ohio State Buckeyes after scoring a touchdown in a game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Nights on September 08, 2018 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 08: Tight end Luke Farrell (89) of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) of the Ohio State Buckeyes after scoring a touchdown in a game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Nights on September 08, 2018 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Ohio State Buckeyes will travel to meet the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday night for a top-10 clash in primetime.

Control of the Big Ten East will be hanging in the balance in Week 5 of the college football season as the Ohio State Buckeyes will go on the road for their second big test in three weeks, taking on the ninth-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. As you’d expect, this game will be in primetime and it should deliver the fireworks to cap off a big Saturday of action.

Aside from the off-field controversy and subsequent Urban Meyer suspension, the big storyline about the Buckeyes coming into the season was Dwayne Haskins stepping in at quarterback to replace the departed JT Barrett. To this point, Haskins has looked like a star and a potential 2018 Heisman Trophy candidate.

Through four games, Haskins has thrown for 1,194 yards and 16 touchdowns and just one interception while rushing for another. When you add how he’s performing as the Ohio State quarterback with the likes of JK Dobbins and Mike Weber in the backfield, this offense is tough to stop. However, with Nick Bosa out following a core muscle injury, the Buckeyes defense is going to be tested on Saturday night.

After a scare against Appalachian State in their opener, Trace McSorley and Penn State have gotten things back on track this season. The Nittany Lions have put up at least 50 points in each of their last three games, including going off for 63 points in a win over Illinois last week. It isn’t always pretty for McSorley and running back Miles Sanders, but they have gotten it done.

Having said that, this is the first massive test for Penn State this season. A win in this game would be absolutely massive to both prove that they are a legit College Football Playoff threat and also put them in the driver’s seat to win the Big Ten East. Thus, you have to believe James Franklin will have his team ready to protect their house against one of the best teams in the country.

TV and Game Info

Date: Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: University Park, PA
Stadium: Beaver Stadium
TV Info: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN, FuboTV

Even on the road, Meyer’s Buckeyes enter this game as 3.5-point favorites, which makes sense as they have looked far better than the Nittany Lions to this point. More curious for the Big Ten though, the Over/Under for this game is set at 72, which would be an absolute barn-burner for this conference. With these two teams though, it’s in the cards.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Ohio State -3.5
Moneyline: Ohio State -170, Penn State +150
Over/Under: 72

Next. College football conference power rankings: Week 5. dark

Prediction

Despite how explosive the Nittany Lions can be, especially against a Buckeyes defense that will still be without Bosa on Saturday night, I just don’t see the upset happening. With the way that Haskins and the Ohio State offense are currently performing, I don’t see a way that Penn State is going to be able to keep up for 60 minutes. It won’t be a blowout, but the Buckeyes will go on the road and pick up the win in Week 5.

Final Score: Ohio State 38, Penn State 28

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