Penn State @ Ohio State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 13, 2010 ) Penn State 14, Ohio State 38

THE STORY: The on-field product at Penn State has taken a backseat to scandal over the last two weeks. Legendary coach Joe Paterno is gone amid allegations of sexual abuse by former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. Interim coach Tom Bradley took over the program last week, just in time for the 21st-ranked Nittany Lions to drop their first conference game. Bradley, promoted from defensive coordinator, needs to find a way to coax a few more points out of an offense that is ranked 102nd in the nation with an average of 21.0 points. Bradley and Penn State are still in the driver's seat in the Big Ten Leaders Division, holding a one-game lead over Wisconsin. Ohio State was in that race until last weekend, when it was upset by Purdue. The Buckeyes will need plenty of help now in addition to winning out, beginning when they host Penn State on Saturday.

TV: ABC/ESPN. LINE: Ohio State -6.5

ABOUT PENN STATE (8-2, 5-1 Big Ten): The Nittany Lions are fighting for the right to play in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game for a trophy that no longer bears Paterno’s name. The conference elected to remove the name of the all-time wins leader from the trophy earlier in the week. Penn State has lived on its defense, which is holding opponents to 12.9 points - the third-lowest total in the FBS. The Nittany Lions fell to Nebraska, 17-14, last Saturday.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (6-4, 3-3): The Buckeyes are no strangers to scandal, though their transgressions seem very minor compared to what has gone on in Happy Valley. Most recently, Ohio State was hit with a “failure to monitor” charge by the NCAA. Despite lengthy suspensions to several key players, the Buckeyes were still in the hunt for first place in the Leaders Division until last week, when they dropped a 26-23 overtime decision at Purdue.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ohio State has not lost five games in a season since posting a 7-5 mark in 2001.

2. The Buckeyes have won two straight in the series and are 12-6 against the Nittany Lions in Big Ten games.

3. Penn State is 15-3 after a loss since 2005.

PREDICTION: Penn State 14, Ohio State 10 -- The Nittany Lions stop the Buckeyes’ running game, giving Bradley his first win.