Penn State Nittany Lions vs Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview: Buckeyes Look to Officially Boot Penn State Out of Big Ten Title Race

Since their loss to Oregon, Ohio State has looked as good as any team in the country not named Georgia. They have no margin for error if they want to make the College Football Playoff though.

Penn State started 5-0 but has lost their last two games. Both were close, but while losing at Iowa was acceptable, losing at home against Illinois was not.

Coming into the season Penn State was supposed to be Ohio State’s best competition in the Big Ten. Now they are just a spoiler.

Penn State Nittany Lions (5-2) vs Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1), ABC, 7:30 p.m. ET

Penn State Nittany Lions vs Ohio State Buckeyes College Football Betting Odds

Moneyline

• Penn State Nittany Lions +630
• Ohio State Buckeyes -1000

Total

• OVER 61.5 (-110)
• UNDER 61.5 (-110)

Spread

• Penn State Nittany Lions +16.5 (-110)
• Ohio State Buckeyes -16.5 (-110)

Penn State Nittany Lions vs Ohio State Buckeyes college football betting odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Friday, October 29, 2021 at 9:06 a.m. ET.

Penn State Nittany Lions vs Ohio State Buckeyes Best Bet

Ohio State -16.5

Sure PSU was banged up against Illinois, but they got run around, over, and through by the Illini and couldn't move the ball a few yards when it mattered most against a 2-5 team. Throw in QB Sean Clifford not being in great health and the rumors swirling around James Franklin becoming the next head coach at USC, and there is a lot for Penn State to overcome this week.

Things are trending up for the Buckeyes, who have been dominant since their loss to Oregon. They have covered in their last four games and their offense leads the FBS in yards and points. With their offense humming, there is much less pressure on their defense, which has settled down against lesser competition. In their first two games, they gave up 66 points. In their last five, they have given up just 64.

The Penn State defense might be able to keep Ohio State under 50 points, but unless they can score themselves it won’t really matter much. I do not see them as being able to. There are just not enough dynamic threats. The gap between these programs looked like it was narrowing, but that has not proven to be the case. Ohio State gets the easy win at home.

Penn State vs Ohio State College Football Score Prediction

Ohio State 45, Penn State 20