5 reasons why Ryan Day's Ohio State could face defeat against Penn State in Week 10
Ohio State came loaded for a national title hunt in the 2024 season. The Buckeyes returned a team full of stars, added a massive transfer portal haul, and then added some impact freshmen. While Ohio State has shown flashes of excellence, the Buckeyes already have one loss and could fall off the College Football Playoff hunt with another loss. Here's how No. 3 Penn State could take down the No. 4 Buckeyes.
5 reasons why Ohio State could lose to Penn State
5. OSU's run defense has fallen off
Ohio State started the season absolutely crushing bad teams that tried to run the ball. In the first four games, the Buckeyes allowed 1.3, 0.9, 2.9 and 1.9 yards per carry. But since then, the Buckeyes have given up 4.3, 5.0 and 3.7 yards per carry. For a Penn State team with a pair of effective running backs, that could be key.
4. Drew Allar has been very consistent and solid.
Penn State QB Drew Allar has quietly had an excellent season. Allar is consistent. He has completed at least 64.7% of his passes in every game and also topped 8 yards per pass attempt in every game exception one. Allar has been brilliant in the red zone, completing 78% of his passes for eight touchdowns in just 23 passing attempts.
3. Third down troubles
Despite being an impressive offensive team, OSU has had third down issues. They're in the middle of the Big Ten pack and in the last two games, OSU is 5 for 22 on third down attempts. When your offense struggles that badly on third down, your team has to make its plays on first and second down, which is a big ask against Penn State.
2. Ohio State's running game hasn't been that exceptional.
Ohio State's ground game stood to be insane with a one-two running back punch of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. But in the last two games, a loss to Oregon and a four-point win over Nebraska, OSU's rushing attack has been pedestrian.
Against Oregon, OSU ran 33 times for 141 yards (4.27 yards per carry). That was a season low until the following week when they picked up 64 yards on 31 carries against Nebraska (2.06 yards per carry). OSU's rush attack is certainly in low gear at a tough time.
1.The pressure is on the Buckeyes
Penn State will be a small underdog in this game (3.5 points) and with an unbeaten season going, the Nittany Lions don't have to win this game. On the other hand, the Buckeyes really would be hurt by a second loss on the season. The pressure of the game lies much heavier on OSU that it does on PSU, which could be the difference.
Do you think the Nittany Lions can pick up the win? Share your thoughts below in our comments section!