Ohio State @ Penn State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 19, 2011 ) Penn State 20, Ohio State 14

In a down year for the Big Ten, the two best teams might be the only two that are banned from postseason play. Ohio State is the lone Big Ten team without a loss but is still dealing with sanctions left over from the Jim Tressel regime. Penn State has won five straight and is the only team other than Ohio State coming into this weekend undefeated in Leaders Division play. But the Nittany Lions, like the Buckeyes, will be watching the postseason from home. Instead of the Big Ten championship game, the two best teams in the conference will meet Saturday evening at Beaver Stadium. Ohio State hopes to have quarterback Braxton Miller at 100 percent by game time. The dark horse Heisman contender was knocked out of last weekend’s victory over Purdue and sent to the hospital to be checked out. Miller cleared all the tests this week, but will be closely monitored.

TV: 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Pick

ABOUT OHIO STATE (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten): Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer expects Miller to start Saturday, with backup Kenny Guiton ready if needed. Guiton led a game-tying touchdown drive against the Boilermakers and helped the team pull out a 29-22 victory in overtime. Miller, who is 41 yards short of 1,000 rushing yards on the season, will be running into a Penn State defense that has yielded an average of 13.8 points over its last five games. An area of greater concern for Meyer could be on the other side of the ball, where Ohio State has been gouged for 36.3 points over the last three games. The Buckeyes rank 11th in the Big Ten against the pass, surrendering 271.8 yards through the air. They have made up for it with 11 interceptions but will be going up against a quarterback in Matt McGloin who is at the top of his game.

ABOUT PENN STATE (5-2, 3-0): McGloin led the 38-14 thrashing of Iowa last weekend and ranks second in the Big Ten in passing yardage at 1,788. His 14-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio is the best in the league. Expectations were low for the Nittany Lions after crushing sanctions and two losses to open the season, but first-year coach Bill O’Brien has pulled the team together on both sides of the ball. Known as an offensive coordinator, O’Brien’s defense has been just as strong over the last five games. Penn State is second in the Big Ten against the run, averaging only 110.1 yards allowed, and held Illinois dual-threat quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase to seven yards on 11 carries in a 35-7 drubbing Sept. 29.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The vacated wins over the past several seasons by each team has changed the historical record between the schools. Ohio State lists the series as tied, 13-13, while Penn State has the Buckeyes leading 14-8 (noting five vacated wins for the Nittany Lions).

2. Penn State won the meeting last season 20-14 in Columbus. Miller threw for a touchdown and ran for another but was sacked on the final play.

3. Ohio State has rushed for at least 100 yards in each of its eight games in 2012.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 24, Penn State 21