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This week the ESPN College Gameday crew is headed to Happy Valley for a clash of two top-10 teams. Saturday No. 4 Ohio State is traveling to take on No. 9 Penn State in one of the Big Ten’s best rivalries.
Last week College Gameday was in Eugene, Oregon to witness the game of the weekend, Oregon vs. Stanford. The game was an overtime thriller in which Stanford mounted a monumental comeback to beat the Oregon Ducks. Rece Davis and co. are hoping for an equally exciting game this Saturday in Happy Valley.
Both of these teams have potent offenses and a night game between these two rivals almost always results in an exciting game. Fans are hoping for a high scoring battle between these two top teams.
College GameDay Week 5 Viewing Details
Date: Saturday, September 29th
Time (EST): 9:00 A.M. to noon; the game kicks off at 7:30 P.M.
Location: Beaver Stadium (Penn State)
TV Channel: GameDayESPN PSU/OSU ABC
Stream: WatchESPN
Preview
.@CollegeGameDay has arrived in Happy Valley! 🙌#WeAre pic.twitter.com/ZMy75vhzA8
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) September 27, 2018
With Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin all taking early season losses, Penn State and Ohio State look to be the two strongest teams in the Big Ten. Both teams are looking to win out in the Big Ten and make a run at the College Football Playoff. However, the loser of this matchup is going to have a long road to get there.
Ohio State-Penn State next weekend is the most impactful remaining game (not including conference championship games) on the playoff race this season, per ESPN's Playoff Predictor. pic.twitter.com/olgn0OxKaP
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 23, 2018
That scenario made coming to Happy Valley an easy choice for College Gameday this week. These two teams know what’s on the line and they’re going to do everything they can to take control of the Big Ten.
So far this season Penn State has been dominant. They are averaging 55 points a game as on offense. QB Trace McSorley has been one of the best players in the country so far this season.
Penn State QB Trace McSorley has thrown a touchdown pass in 31 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the FBS and tied for the second-longest in the last five seasons (Baker Mayfield – 40). pic.twitter.com/YeOLsDr7Pc
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 21, 2018
Meanwhile, Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins has been just as dominant. He is currently the second favorite to win the Heisman in the lastest odds update. These two quarterbacks will be dueling this weekend.
Probably the most exciting matchup of the game.
Trace McSorley: Yet to lose a home start in his collegiate career.
2018 passing stats: 53.8 CMP%, 763 passing yards, 8 TD’s
Dwayne Haskins: Has yet to lose a start.
2018 passing stats: 75.7 CMP%, 1,194 passing yards, 16 TD’s pic.twitter.com/lnFtxw2NZn
— Dan Smyth (@DSmythTheMyth18) September 26, 2018
College Gameday lives for a QB matchup like this.
History
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoRSaXtBv28/?taken-by=pennstatefball
The Penn State fans and their whiteout should create an electric environment inside Beaver Stadium. These two teams are always towards the top of the Big Ten and their rivalry gets stronger every season. They are also the two most recent Big Ten champions, Ohio State took home the title in 2017 and Penn State won the conference in 2016.
The last four times these teams matched up, three of the games were decided by 1, 3 and 7 points. Ohio State has won three of the last four matchups and Penn State will be looking for revenge Saturday night.
Prediction
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoPNsTUH44b/?taken-by=ohiostatefb
According to OddsShark, Ohio State is a 3.5 point favorite against the Nittany Lions. The current over/under total is set at 69.5 for these two high octane offenses. Ohio State being favored by over a field goal going into a hostile environment in Happy Valley is very interesting.
Obviously, these two offenses that are both averaging over 50 points a game are going to score a bunch, but they are both facing their toughest opponents so far. I think the intensity of this game will benefit the defenses and the offenses may come out nervous to start.
Both of these quarterbacks are going to put on a show Saturday night and this game should live up to last week’s College GameDay stop. I think the home field advantage will end up making the difference in this one.
Prediction: Penn State 31- Ohio State 28 (PSU +3.5, u69.5)
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