Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Ohio State Buckeyes, Preview, Odds, Picks and Prediction for Saturday, November 1, 2025
Use Code WWWC It’s a matchup on the gridiron between Big Ten foes as they tangle in the Buckeye State, looking to earn a win. The Penn State Nittany Lions are on the road as they travel to take on the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday afternoon. Penn State comes in off a 25-24 road defeat to Iowa last Saturday in their previous contest, covering the line as a three-point underdog. Ohio State rolled to a 34-0 blowout win over Wisconsin on the road, covering the line as a 25-point favorite, in their previous contest last Saturday. In the all-time series between the programs, Ohio State owns a 25-14 edge and has won the last eight meetings, including a 20-13 road win in the most recent meeting on November 2, 2024. Read more about this Penn State vs. Ohio State prediction! Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our NCAAF Betting Picks!
Penn State Looking to Snap Skid
Penn State suffered a fourth straight loss, their second by a single point, as they were downed by Iowa on the road on Oct. 18. That was the debut for interim head coach Terry Smith, who was taking over for James Franklin, who was fired on Oct. 12. It was also the debut for new quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, a redshirt freshman, taking over for the injured Drew Allar. Grunkemeyer threw for just 93 yards and had two picks against Iowa.
The Nittany Lions fell to 3-4 overall on the year and 0-4 in the Big Ten on the year. Against Iowa, Penn State let another game slip away late to wind up on the short end of the scoreboard. The Nittany Lions led 7-3 after one quarter, 14-10 at the half, 21-10 in the third quarter, and 24-19 with 4:56 remaining, only to see the Hawkeyes march 75 yards in just two plays for the eventual winning score. Penn State had one final drive that ended on downs at their 49-yard line as a pass on fourth and four fell incomplete. The Nittany Lions were outgained 313-266 in total offense and turned the ball over twice while forcing one takeaway in the game. Those numbers overshadowed picking up 19 first downs while allowing 11 and owned a 36:12 to 23:48 margin in time of possession. They also scored a touchdown on a blocked field goal return.
The Nittany Lions enter this contest 110th in the nation in passing offense as they average 185.4 yards through the air this season. Penn State is 55th in rushing offense as they pick up 169.6 yards per contest. The Nittany Lions are 38th in the FBS in scoring offense by averaging 34 points per game and stand 29th in scoring defense by allowing just 19.4 points per contest. Drew Allar is 103 of 159 passing for 1,100 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 172 yards plus a score on the ground. Grunkemeyer (23 of 39, 198 yards, TD, two INT, nine rushing yards, TD) has seen limited action. Kaytron Allen leads the team in rushing with 98 carries for 612 yards and nine scores. Nicholas Singleton (76 carries, 274 yards, six TD) and Cam Wallace (six carries, 23 yards) have been effective in their attempts as well. Trebor Pena leads the team with 23 receptions for 221 yards and a score on the season. Kyron Hudson (19 grabs, 218 yards, two TD), Devonte Ross (18 catches, 255 yards, three TD), plus tight ends Luke Reynolds (21 receptions, 213 yards) and Khalil Dinkins (eight receptions, 115 yards, two TD) are solid options in the aerial attack as well. Ryan Barker has hit all 26 extra point attempts and 11 of 12 field goal attempts with a long of 49 on the year. Matthew Parker has hit his lone extra point attempt while not attempting a field goal on the season.
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Allar (leg) was injured against Northwestern and is done for the year.
Buckeyes Trying to Maintain #1 Ranking
Ohio State cruised past Wisconsin on the road last week in their previous contest and solidified its hold on the #1 ranking in the nation. The Buckeyes ran their record to 7-0 overall and stand second in the Big Ten with a 4-0 mark, half a game behind Indiana for the spot. Against Wisconsin, Ohio State put the game away early, jumping in front 17-0 after the opening quarter and throttling the Badgers’ offense en route to the win. The Buckeyes rolled up an impressive 491-144 advantage in total offense, picked up 26 first downs while allowing nine, controlled the clock by a 33:57 to 26:03 margin and forced the game’s lone turnover.
On the season, the Buckeyes are 24th in the nation in passing offense with 279.7 yards per game through the air while the team is 71st in the country in rushing by averaging 151.7 yards per contest. Ohio State is 21st in the FBS in scoring offense with 36.4 points per game, while they rank 1st in the nation in scoring defense as they allow 5.9 points per contest. Julian Sayin is 156 of 195 passing for 1,872 yards with 19 touchdowns and three interceptions; he’s added 17 yards on the ground. Lincoln Kienholz (seven of eight, 86 yards, TD, 23 rush yards, TD) and Tavien St. Clair (zero of two, zero yards) have seen limited action. Bo Jackson (68 carries, 433 yards, two TD), CJ Donaldson (60 carries, 249 yards, six TD) and James Peoples (40 carries, 202 yards) have shared the run game duties on the year. When the Buckeyes go back to pass, Jeremiah Smith leads the team with 49 receptions for 602 yards and seven scores this season. Carnell Tate (34 receptions, 587 yards, six TD), tight end Max Klare (20 catches, 204 yards, TD), Jackson (11 grabs, 114 yards, TD) and Brandon Inniss (14 catches, 113 yards, TD) are each over the 100-yard mark in receiving yards this season. Jayden Fielding is 29 of 29 on extra points and eight of 10 on field goal attempts with a long of 38 this season. Jackson Courville has hit all four extra point attempts and has not attempted a field goal this year.
The Buckeyes have no major injury concerns to report.
Penn State vs. Ohio State Prediction
Spread Pick for Penn State vs. Ohio State
- Ohio State -20.5 (4 units)
Penn State is slumping badly with four straight losses, including ones to teams they were favored by 25 (UCLA) and 21 (Northwestern) points against. The Nittany Lions fired their coach in Franklin and lost their starting quarterback for the year as well. Grunkemeyer has limited experience when it comes to playing at this level and has to deal with a Buckeyes defense that gives up just 131.3 yards per game through the air and 85.6 yards per contest (2.8 yards per carry) on the ground this season. Sure, the Nittany Lions’ four losses are by a combined 13 points, but they also gave up more points to UCLA (42) than Ohio State has given up all season (41) in seven contests. Ohio State has allowed just one team to score double-digit points against them this season. The Buckeyes win this one in a romp.
Over/Under Pick for Penn State vs. Ohio State
- Under 44.5 (4 units)
Penn State has seen the over post a 5-2 mark in their seven games this season. The Nittany Lions have racked up more than 34 points in four of their contests on the year, but their offense takes a massive hit without Allar running the show. Ohio State has stayed under the number in five of their seven games on the season as their defense has been lights out all year long. The Buckeyes are a good offensive team, but they’re facing a Penn State team that is pretty stingy themselves. Ohio State should be able to run out to a lead and rely on their defense to grind the rest of the clock, keeping this game under the total.
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