The Gryphon Gazette

By: Niam N. ’26

Matchup Overview: #6 Penn State Nittany Lions vs. #3 Ohio State Buckeyes

Penn State and Ohio State are both members of the Big Ten Conference, one of college football’s most powerful conferences. After week 6 of the season, Penn State is ranked 6th in the AP Top 25 Poll, whereas Ohio State is ranked 3rd in the poll. To put this into perspective, 261 Division 1 College Football teams technically have a shot at being ranked in the AP Top 25, so the fact that the 6th best and 3rd best out of 261 college teams are playing is truly incredible. The two teams have competed annually since 1993, only 3 years after Penn State joined the Big Ten Conference. Ohio State leads the series 21-8. The last time Penn State beat Ohio State was in 2016, allowing Ohio State to possess a streak of 6 wins against Penn State. 

College Football Playoff

Every winter, the top four Division 1 College Football teams play for the opportunity to compete in a 4-team playoff bracket. Penn State has never qualified for the CFP in the 9 years of its existence, whereas Ohio State has made appearances in five playoffs, including three of the last four. This year, this matchup not only affects the Big Ten Title race but also truly impacts this year’s College Football Playoff race. 

Stakes for Penn State

With a win over Ohio State, Penn State would move to 7 – 0, leading the Big Ten Conference, but also without a doubt, securing them a spot in the top 4 of the Week 9 AP Top 25 Poll. Penn State would only have 2 other major tests before clinching a spot in the CFP. The first, at Maryland on November 4th, and the 2nd, playing the current #2 team in the country, Michigan, the following week at home on November 11th. If Penn State finishes the season with only 1 loss, they have a very strong case for a spot in the CFP. 

Stakes for Ohio State

With a win over Penn State, Ohio State would move to 7 – 0, most likely leading the Big Ten Conference, but also allowing them to maintain control of their spot in the top 4 of the Week 9 AP Top 25 Poll. With Ohio State already successfully overcoming obstacles such as beating a previously ranked #9 Notre Dame and beating an undefeated Maryland, a win over Penn State could make a very compelling case for clinching a playoff spot. Ohio State has one more test against the #2 Michigan, a notorious matchup known as “The Game,” on November 25th. If Ohio State wins that game, they would without a doubt be the #1 or #2 seed in the CFP, but if they lose, they would still have a decent shot at making the playoffs. 

Rookie Quarterbacks

Drew Allar, the sophomore quarterback for Penn State, has thrown for 1,092 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, and has a QB Rating of 75.2. Allar has completed 64.6% of his passes, for an average of 6.9 yards. However, on the road, Allar has only thrown for 397 yards, and 1 touchdown, while only completing 51.5% of his passes for an average of 6.0 yards, proving how much he struggles during away games like this one. 

Kyle McCord, the junior quarterback for Ohio State, has thrown for 1,375 yards, 8 touchdowns, 1 interception, and has a QB Rating of 86.6. McCord has completed 65.5% of his throws, for an average of 9.7 yards. Additionally, McCord has proved to have higher success during home games, throwing for 896 yards and all 8 of his touchdowns, while completing 72.2% of his throws for an average of 12.4 yards.

Defensive Comparison

According to the NCAA, Penn State has the best overall defense in the entirety of College Football. So far this season, Penn State has only allowed an average of 210.6 total yards per game for an average of 3.8 yards per play. They have allowed 1053 total yards, fewer than any other FBS team. They have an average of 1.2 forced fumbles and 1.2 interceptions per game. Through five games, Penn State has only allowed 48 points, while scoring 203 points. Penn State allows 9.6 points a game, the second-best in all of college football, with #1 being Michigan. 

Furthermore, Ohio State is ranked 8th in overall defensive rankings. Ohio State has only allowed 1324 total yards and an average of 4.07 yards per play. Additionally, they have only allowed 264.8 total yards per game. Ohio State also allows 10.2 points per game, the third-best in all of college football, just behind Penn State and Michigan. They have allowed only 51 total points, only 3 more than Penn State.

Nevertheless, make sure to grab some drinks and some food before the game because once this matchup starts, you won’t want to miss it.