Ohio State Buckeyes vs Penn State Nittany Lions Point Spread Picks

Penn State is 0-4 in the Big Ten. They played their first game last week under interim coach Terry Smith, losing at Iowa, 25-24. The offense turned it over twice and had just 266 total yards. They head to No. 1 Ohio State, steamrolling opponents with a powerhouse defense and QB Julian Sayin (19 TDs, 3 INTs). The defense is No. 1 in the nation in yards allowed (225.3 per game), scoring defense (6.8 points per game), and third-down defense (21.1%). The Buckeyes (6-0-1 ATS) are on a 16-5-1 ATS run.
Play Ohio State. 

Penn State has won 11 in a row and brings the No. 1 defense in the nation into this showdown. QB Drew Allar (12 TDs, 0 INTs) leads a balanced offense anchored by RBs Kaytron Allen (375 yards, 4.8 ypc) and Nicholas Singleton (362 yards). They've rolled over everybody, including West Virginia (38-15) and Iowa (31-0). The defense is allowing 8 points per contest while getting 4.5 sacks per game. Penn State is 32-19 ATS after allowing 14 points or less, plus 22-10 ATS after a cover as double-digit chalk. Ohio State is also undefeated but hasn't rolled over everyone, squeezing out a 17-14 win over Notre Dame on a very late TD along with scoring just 23 points on Indiana as a 30-point favorite. The offense is banged up with injuries and the Nittany Lions are 18-9 ATS versus teams that average 6.25 yards per play. Play Penn State. 

Ohio State's offense is No. 1 in scoring (49.6 points per game) and fourth in total yards (517.4) behind QB C.J. Stroud (28 TDs, 4 INTs). The defense has been outstanding, too, second in total yards surrendered, third in pass defense, eighth in rush defense, and fifth in points allowed (14.8 pg). The Buckeyes are 37-17 ATS on natural grass, 19-9 ATS in Big 10 action, plus 20-8-1 ATS after a victory of 20+ points. Penn State scored 45 last week on Minnesota but remember in the previous two games the offense scored just 17 points in a win over Northwestern and a blowout loss to Michigan (41-17). The matchup that works against them for this showdown is pass defense, ranked No. 79 in passing yards allowed (232.9 per game). Penn State is 9-30 ATS against teams that allow 4.25 yards or less per play, as well as 25-45 ATS versus defenses that allow 4.5 or fewer yards per play. And college football home dogs of 10.5 to 21 points like the Nittany Lions are 42-86 ATS after a spread cover. Play Ohio State.