Penn State runs headlong toward another memorable opportunity on Saturday, when its hosts, Ohio State, have a chance to get to 8-0 in just the second half under head coach James Franklin. The Nittany Lions are ranked higher, have an understrength starting quarterback, are at home for the first time in four weeks and are looking to end a seven-game losing streak to the Buckeyes.

So, let’s get started, shall we?

No. 3 Penn State (7-0) vs. No. 4 Ohio State (6-1)

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The story line

Andy Kotelnicki has been Penn State’s most dynamic find this offseason, the offensive coordinator who recites lines from the movie “Anchorman” in practice. trains his players to speak in public and has made tight end Tyler Warren the The best soccer player with five tools. But Saturday is the reason James Franklin pulled Kotelnicki out of Kansas and coach Lance Leipold: to score 20-plus points against Ohio State.

“It wasn’t easy to hire him,” Franklin said this week, a nod to Kotelnicki’s value to both Kansas and other programs. If Kotelnicki continues calling entertaining gamesdeploying his assets in unique ways and framing Penn State’s offense as the fun place to play, he’ll soon do it somewhere else: for head coaching money. “It’s super, super fun,” Penn State tackle Anthony Donkoh said of playing in Kotelnicki’s offense. “…We have a lot more crazy stuff in store that I can’t wait to run in the game.”

Well, now’s the time, because Franklin hired Kotelnicki to operate an explosive, high-scoring offense that can also run the ball, make smart use of its backup quarterback, and in doing all that, beat Ohio State. The Nittany Lions looked lost offensively in Columbus last season. They went 0-for-15 on third down until their final drive, converted a play of more than 15 yards in three quarters and watched quarterback Drew Allar and his receivers play different plays (4.5 yards per attempt). Kotelnicki has corralled all of that, elevating Allar into the top 10 nationally in quarterback rating, passing efficiency, completion percentage, yards per attempt and yards per completion. It has made Warren one of the the best players in the nation. And he has done well with what he has as a wide receiver.

“We’ve done some really good things the last few years,” Franklin said this week. “What we lacked last year was explosive plays. We started looking at who are the coordinators and who are the teams that are producing explosive plays, and not just because their genetics are better. Where do explosive plays come from? How do they come from? Are they being created? Are they happening consistently? Also, are they doing it against their biggest competition?

The dynamic is even more compelling Saturday, as Penn State weighs who to start at quarterback, how much to play backup Beau Pribula and where to deploy each of its best. Penn State has been in a lot of fourth quarter games with Ohio State, but has been missing that one more play on offense to win (aside from 2017). Kotelnicki is in State College to create that. If you do, Franklin may be back on that list, so enjoy.

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Penn State players to watch

Nicholas Singleton: The running back hasn’t surpassed 100 yards or broken a run of more than 20 yards since Week 2 against Bowling Green. It is imperative that he and Kaytron Allen put up yards and eat minutes against a Buckeyes run defense that ranks sixth nationally.

Omari Evans: Penn State’s deep threat at receiver has been an afterthought over the last month. He has just three receptions, none of more than 16 yards, in the last four games. Ohio State’s secondary speed won’t allow him to get past it. So Evans needs to break physical coverage at the line of scrimmage, make a contested catch and give his quarterback a tertiary passing target.

Jalen Kimber: Penn State has a good amount of man coverage, which means cornerback will get Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka or Carnell Tate at some point. Ohio State wins if its receivers consistently beat the reporter. Kimber, AJ Harris and Zion Tracy will face it.

Jaylen Reed: Penn State security is having a monster seasonprompting the final two opposing quarterbacks to make critical interceptions in the second half. He will be essential in not only keeping Ohio State quarterback Will Howard honest, but also supporting the run against Ohio State’s two-man system.

Ohio State Buckeyes to Watch

Jeremiah Smith: Nebraska got some pressure and shortened Will Howard’s throwing time, but Ohio State targeted the Big Ten’s top receiver just four times in last week’s tense situation. One of them attempted a long touchdown. Smith should get at least 10 targets on Saturday.

The left tackle: This is where the Buckeyes are vulnerable. Zen Michalski, who replaced injured star Josh Simmons last week, struggled before getting hurt. Day told reporters this week that Michalski is “trend” led to missing the game. Therefore, the Buckeyes face more juggling. All-Big Ten guard Donovan Jackson is the likely tackle candidate, but Ohio State becomes more susceptible up front.

Caleb Downs: The safety might be Ohio State’s best defensive player with 5.5 tackles for loss and two key stops against Nebraska. He has the ability to neutralize a possible running game from Pribula or a free-for-all from Warren.

Denzel Burke: In a loaded Ohio State secondary, Burke has made an impressive 42 starts, 26 career pass deflections and two interceptions this season. He didn’t have a great day at Oregon, but he will make running routes tiring for Penn State’s receivers.

RELATED: Ohio State quarterback Will Howard is ‘excited’ for Saturday’s game at Penn State

The predictions

Mark Wogenrich: The recent history of Penn State-Ohio State has been defined by the Buckeyes’ great individual games: JT Barrett in 2017, Chase Young in 2018, Justin Fields (despite two fumbles) in 2019, JT Tuimoloau in 2022 and Marvin Harrison Jr. last year. . Ohio State has had one more player lately that Penn State was missing. The dynamic of this year’s game is different, but Ohio State still has a few more players. Last week’s break against Nebraska was an outlier. The Buckeyes appear on Saturday with one more player (perhaps receiver Jeremiah Smith) and plan for another victory. Ohio State 24, Pennsylvania State 23

Daniel Mader: This is the best top-to-bottom Nittany Lions team Ryan Day has faced in years, which doesn’t guarantee a Penn State win, but it makes things a lot more interesting. The pressure and run defense that Penn State showed in this matchup in 2023 are still present, but more importantly, Andy Kotelnicki’s offensive creativity completely changes the way these two teams stack up against each other. I think a lot depends on Drew Allar’s injury status, but either way the Buckeyes weren’t entirely convincing in a 21-17 win over Nebraska last week. Assuming Allar plays, I think Penn State finally gets a big win in this historic rivalry. Pennsylvania State 27, Ohio State 24

Sam Woloson: Penn State has lost its last seven games against Ohio State, but offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki could be what helps the Nittany Lions get over the hump. The way Kotelnicki adjusted his scheme in the second half at Wisconsin to accommodate backup quarterback Beau Pribula was impressive, and his ability to make adjustments at halftime will again be important. The Buckeyes’ defense will be tough, but whether it’s Allar or Pribula starting, I’m confident Kotelnicki can put his players in position to be successful, especially with weapons like Tyler Warren presenting matchup issues all over the field. Pennsylvania State 23, Ohio State 20

More Penn State football

The latest on Penn State’s injury situation

Penn State faced communications technology problems in Wisconsin, says James Franklin

How Ohio State prepares for a trip to Penn State

Game odds are updated periodically and are subject to change.

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