Ohio State-Penn State Preview Capsule

The Associated Press

No. 13 OHIO STATE (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) at PENN STATE (4-2, 1-2), 8 p.m. ET (ABC)

Line: Ohio State by 13½

Series Record: Ohio State leads, 15-13

WHAT’S AT STAKE

The Buckeyes have won four in a row by an average score of 56-17. They can’t afford a slip with two weeks left to their big showdown against No. 8 Michigan State. The Nittany Lions, after a 4-0 start, have dropped two in a row. They are bowl eligible for the first time since 2011 after NCAA sanctions were lifted.

KEY MATCHUP

Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg against Ohio State’s secondary. The Buckeyes have been burned by a lot of quick-strike, long TD passes this season and toward the end of last year. But they seem to have eliminated some mistakes in allowing just one score through the air (and from only 4 yards out) in the last two games. For the Nittany Lions to win, Hackenberg must have time to throw.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ohio State: QB J.T. Barrett has thrown 17 TD passes with one pick over the last four games. DE Joey Bosa has 9 tackles for a loss, including 5.5 sacks with three forced fumbles.

Penn State: TB Bill Belton leads the Nittany Lions in rushing but with a meager 43 yards per game. Frosh WR DaeSean Hamilton is averaging seven catches for over 90 yards. LB Mike Hull has 64 tackles for the top-ranked run defense in the country.

FACTS & FIGURES

Larry Johnson, a Penn State assistant for 18 years, makes his first trip back to Happy Valley since becoming Ohio State’s D-line coach in the offseason. … It’s a white-out night at Beaver Stadium, meaning a lot of fans may have to buy white coats — temperatures will be in the mid 40s. … The Buckeyes rolled over the Nittany Lions a year ago in Columbus, 63-14, while averaging 8 yards per rush (51 for 408). … Penn State is coming off a bye. … Ohio State plays the next seven Saturdays, with the next three games set to start at 8 p.m. … The Buckeyes have won 18 consecutive Big Ten games, two behind the conference record set by the Buckeyes 2005-07.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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