College football is beginning to heat up as the 2023 season passes its halfway point.
There was quite a bit of movement in the top 10 last week after Washington’s win over Oregon and this week’s schedule could see a similar shakeup. The biggest game of the week is taking place in Columbus, where No. 3 Ohio State hosts No. 7 Penn State in a pivotal Big Ten East battle. And later in the afternoon, No. 11 Alabama takes on No. 17 Tennessee in Tuscaloosa as it looks to stay undefeated in SEC play.
There are also two other top-25 matchups to monitor: No. 16 Duke plays No. 4 Florida State and No. 14 Utah is up against No. 18 USC, which is coming off an embarrassing loss to Notre Dame.
Penn State-Ohio State and Tennessee-Alabama, have our attention this week.
Colorado, Michigan and Virginia Readers: Get up to $100 from SI Sportsbook
Bet $5 on DraftKings and get $200 in Bonus Bets if not in those states
No. 7 Penn State vs. No. 3 Ohio State
Spread: Penn State +4.5 (-110) | Ohio State -4.5 (-110)
Moneyline: PSU (+150) | OSU (-200)
Total: 46.5 – Over (-110) | Under (-110)
Game Info: Saturday, Oct. 21 | 12 p.m. ET | FOX
Location: Ohio Stadium | Columbus, OH
This upcoming game between the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions could decide which team represents the Big Ten East in Indianapolis a few months from now, though both still must play No. 2 Michigan. Ohio State (6–0, 3–0 Big Ten) has defeated Penn State (6–0, 3–0) six years in a row and its last loss in the series in Columbus came in 2011. Recent one-sided history aside, James Franklin’s squad has a real shot at pulling off the upset against Ryan Day in the Horseshoe on Saturday.
Only the Wolverines allow fewer points than the Nittany Lions, who surrender just eight per game. Anchored by cornerback Kalen King, PSU also ranks first in the FBS in total yards (193.7) and passing yards (121.1) allowed per game and third in rushing yards (72.5). This defense has pitched a pair of shutouts but has yet to be truly challenged, having played the 112th-hardest schedule, per ESPN.
The Buckeyes will be the first true test. OSU ranks 20th nationally in scoring average at 36 points per game and quarterback Kyle McCord has 11 touchdown passes to just one interception. McCord’s favorite target, Marvin Harrison Jr., already has over 600 receiving yards and just recorded his fourth 100-yard game of the season. However, Ohio State’s leading rusher, Treyveon Henderson, missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury and receiver Emeka Egbuka was out last week against Purdue.
In their absence, the Buckeyes still scored 41 points, their second-most all season, and racked up nearly 500 yards of offense. Their status for Saturday is currently unknown, as is that of cornerback Denzel Burke, who exited early against the Boilermakers and did not return.
Ohio State is just behind Penn State in points allowed (9.7) and it’s done so against a tougher schedule, that includes wins over then-No. 9 Notre Dame and Maryland. The Buckeyes will be tasked with slowing down a Drew Allar-led offense that’s tied with No. 5 Washington for the fifth-highest scoring unit in the country at 44.3 points per game.
Allar, a true sophomore, has impressed with 12 passing touchdowns and no interceptions but running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton deserve plenty of credit as the Nittany Lions average over 200 rushing yards per game. The Nittany Lions have put up at least 30 points in every game this year and scored 63 twice.
Penn State, which has been perfect against the spread this season, is an underdog for the first time since it last played Ohio State, but the Nittany Lions have covered more often than not in this matchup as of late. They’re 4–1 against the number over the last five years against OSU and Saturday’s spread is tied for the tightest during that time frame.
Franklin’s teams have historically covered at a high rate during his decade in State College. Count on them to keep it close in Columbus.
Best Bet: Penn State +4.5 (-110)
