In an interesting matchup of top five teams, Ohio State beat Penn State.
Yes, it was just as fun and exciting as the first game of the day, and no, it was not played at night.
But it was kind of what was expected. Both sides of the ball were tough for Ohio State. Penn State showed again that it lacks that extra gear. The Big Ten race has taken a turn, and the College Football Playoff puzzle might have a key piece in place.
Final Score: Ohio State 20, Penn State 13
5. No, this doesn’t mean James Franklin is a bad college football coach.
I promise I am not sad about any of these college football head coaches, especially the ones who make $10 million a year. But how many of them have been with their teams since at least 2020 and won 70% of their FBS games?
They are Ryan Day, Kirby Smart, Dabo Swinney, and Lane Kiffin.
Also, Benjamin Franklin.
Everyone would do it if it was that simple.
Yeah, I get it—Franklin needs a big win, and going 0-14 against top five teams is not good for a top program. But you know who else is bad against top five teams?
Everyone else.
4. The Ohio State offensive front showed up large.
The Ohio State offensive line was great, even though they were hurt, battered, and criticized.
A few things went wrong, but what do you do when your offensive front is patched together and needs some help? You run the ball really well, getting 4.6 yards per carry.
Penn State only gave up 93 rushing yards per game before this one, but Ohio State ran for 176.
Even though Penn State only gave up 20 points and made a few big plays behind the line, the Buckeyes came through, especially after Oregon pushed them around a bit, and…
3. This Ohio State defense continues to be incredible, and …
The Ohio State offense has been great, but the defense has been the real star.
A pick six led to the Penn State touchdown. Ohio State’s defense only let up two field goals, made a huge stand at the goal line, and picked off a pass in the end zone.
From 2022 to now, they have not let more than 17 points score in 19 of the last 21 games. This keeps coming up because it is so impressive. Michigan, which won the national title in 2023, was the only team to score more than 17.
2. Penn State is still more than fine in the College Football Playoff chase.
The Nittany Lions are not that bad at passing downfield—they averaged 11.5 yards per catch, while Ohio State averaged 11.4—but they need to be faster.
QB Drew Allar played okay, but he needs to loosen up a bit more. The ground game also needs to get better against the best teams, and the whole game plan was too cutesy. Early on, Penn State threw everything at the Buckeyes, but they just yelled “whatever!”
It is not just fine for Penn State in the College Football Playoff race; they are pretty much locked in, and they are still in the running for the Big Ten title. Why is that? What time it is.
Washington state, at Purdue, at Minnesota, and in Maryland. The Gophers are going to be tough, but Penn State could end up 10–2 or 11–1, which would likely get them a spot in the College Football Playoff.
1. Ohio State still might be the best team in college football.
My first call is still valid. Everyone else is there, too, along with Ohio State.
Oregon is close, but I do not think it will be able to beat Ohio State twice or even three times.
Ohio State should expect to be in the College Football Playoff National Championship, even though their offensive line is hurt. They have the talent, the coaching, and all the other pieces to make it happen.
But suddenly, Ohio State’s schedule has a landmine with a game against Indiana along with the Michigan game. Penn State’s schedule does not have that.
The next game is at Purdue, then at Northwestern, and…
Ohio State is not losing to Michigan or Indiana. With this win, they are almost certain to win the Big Ten Championship.
