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Penn State-Ohio State prediction: Who will win the Big Ten showdown?

The ninth-ranked Nittany Lions will have the home advantage, but will that be enough to derail the powerful offense of the No. 4 Buckeyes?

Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley is a Heisman Trophy candidate this fall.
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley is a Heisman Trophy candidate this fall.Read moreAbby Drey / Centre Daily Times
    by Joe Juliano
    Published 

These are two of the best offenses in the country through four games. The Nittany Lions (55.5 points per game) and the Buckeyes (54.5) are 1-2 in FBS. Ohio State ranks third in total offense (599.0) and the Lions, though they are 16th in that department, have rolled up 1,234 yards in back-to-back 63-point performances against Kent State and Illinois.

Defensively, Penn State has struggled in stopping the run, with Illinois and Pitt both having rushed for 245 yards against them. The Buckeyes' J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber are quality runners. Ohio State has allowed 142 yards on the ground and this game will be the ultimate test for Penn State's offensive line clearing the way for Miles Sanders.

The line also will have to protect Trace McSorley, its task slightly easier with defensive end Nick Bosa being out with an injury. And the Lions, with Shareef Miller and company, have to get pressure on Dwayne Haskins, who has an experienced corps of receivers.

The Lions will have the home-field advantage with the "White Out" crowd. The Buckeyes' ability to function amid the deafening noise with Haskins, making his first start against Penn State, will go a long way to determining which team remains undefeated.

Our guess is that it will be the Buckeyes.

Prediction: Ohio State 38, Penn State 35