The series between Ohio State and Penn State in football has developed into a huge rivalry. Since PSU came into the Big Ten in 1993 in football, the games the two have played against each other have been hard-hitting and nasty with close games and blowout wins on both sides mixed in. These teams hate each other and love kicking each other when they are down.

This season Ohio State is down a little, not being able to “reload” as quickly as they have been in the past when losing a shipload of talent to the NFL. OSU 4-2 and ranked 18th, which means a few people are scratching their heads wondering how the Bucks can be down when ranked in the top 25 in the nation. How’s this for down: They are only outscoring their opponents by an average of 4 1/2 points a game: OSU’s giving up 23.8 points and more than 390 yards of total offense a game; and they are getting dominated by approximately seven minutes a game in the time of possession. Definitely not Ohio State football, where the defensive numbers are usually mind boggling.

Probably the biggest reason the Bucks are down this year is turnovers and poor tackling, which results in more first downs and more time of possession for the opposing team. IF Ohio State does not play well this Saturday in Happy Valley, they could get destroyed by an outstanding PSU team. What Penn State is most likely thinking is “we are better than Wisconsin and the Badges pounded OSU by 25, we can do the same.” So, if OSU is down in this game, Penn State will want to run up the score as a little payback for only winning 2 of 6 games vs. OSU, since coming into the Big Ten. Trust us, the Lions have this game highlighted on their schedule -- they want us bad!! Last season OSU won in Ohio Stadium 28 - 9.

The stars on offense for Penn State are: The quarterback duo of Kevin Thompson (54 - 91 - 4 INT’s and five TD’s for 894 yards) and Rashard Casey (37 - 55 - 2 INT’s and Five TD’s for 572 yards, he ranks #1 in the Big Ten in pass efficiency with a rating of 177.4 and Thompson is second in the conference at 151.2), TB Eric McCoo (310 yards and five TD’s) and WR Chafie Fields (401 yards receiving on 20 catches and five TD’s). FB Aaron Harris is also a threat. If healthy, he can do some damage. His long TD run at Happy Valley in 1997 cut OSU’s lead to three in the second half helping the Lions eventually win the game by four.

The defensive leaders for PSU include: All-American LB LaVar Arrington (27 tackles, seven for loss) and Saskari Adams (three INT’s).

During the week, Ohio State head coach John cooper did his best to fire-up his troops by simply telling the truth in saying “I think it is pretty obvious that if we play out best game and they play their best game, they’ll probably win.” The quote obviously made some players angry, which is good, because in a heated rivalry such as this one, anger is a huge motivator.

OSU will have to play as close to a perfect game as possible if they are to upset Penn State and their legendary coach Joe Paterno, looking for his third national championship since 1982. Undoubtedly, one of the all-time great coaches in the history of college football. PSU is favored by 12.

PREDICTION: Ohio State has been too weak defensively this season to go into a place like Beaver Stadium and pull off the upset. The Lions will cover the spread and win by a score of 38 -21.