No. 1 Ohio State hosts Penn State as PSU fields interim coach

COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 1 Ohio State will host Penn State at Ohio Stadium on Saturday at noon in what has become a markedly one-sided matchup after a turbulent month for the Nittany Lions. Ohio State enters at 7-0 and remains atop national polls and playoff projections, while Penn State is 3-4, has lost four straight and enters the game under interim coach Terry Smith after the firing of James Franklin and the season-ending injury to starting quarterback Drew Allar.

Betting markets and projections widely favor the Buckeyes, with Ohio State listed as roughly a 20.5-point favorite and the game total near 43.5. The line reflects a stark contrast between Ohio State’s dominant defense, which ranks among the national leaders in fewest yards and points allowed, and Penn State’s offensive uncertainty under true freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer, who made his first start at Iowa and completed 15 of 28 passes for 93 yards with two interceptions.

Smith acknowledged the uphill climb but stressed preparation and buy-in as his team attempts to arrest its slide. "No one is giving us a chance," he said this week. "We're just going to stay together and we're going to play hard." He emphasized running the...