Ohio Bobcats vs. Penn State Nittany Lions: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 9/10/2022

Game time: Noon ET

Venue: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA

Where to watch: ABC

DraftKings: Penn State -24.5; total 54

FanDuel: Penn State -24.5; total 53.5

BetMGM: Penn State -24.5; total 54.5

Caesars: Penn State -25; total 54

Ohio: 1-0

Penn State: 1-0

Ohio: won 41-38 vs. Florida Atlantic

Penn State: won 35-31 at Purdue

When you look at it from a larger lens, that win for the Penn State Nittany Lions over the Purdue Boilermakers was about as clutch for a program that faltered down the stretch as one could’ve been. Not that Penn State’s non-conference schedule gets any easier with a trip to Auburn coming up, but at the very least, getting to the home opener after that conference victory means something went right for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State will open Beaver Stadium in 2022 on Saturday with a matchup against the Ohio Bobcats. And another win should give Penn State a jump into the top-25 for the first time this year. Penn State is right behind the Oregon Ducks, who fell out of the top 25 after getting blown out by Georgia on Saturday.

Sean Clifford, for the most part, put on a masterful performance by throwing for 282 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winning toss to Keyvone Lee with 57 seconds left to give Penn State the 35-31 lead and win. Clifford outdueled Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell and overcame a rough running game to get a huge victory. That was despite Clifford’s lone pick being a pick-six with 8:29 to go that gave Purdue the lead.

"It was very impressive," coach James Franklin said when asked about the eight-play, 80-yard drive. "We work on the 2-minute drill all the time and it worked out for us right there. You can learn a lot in games like this and I'd rather learn them with a win."

Clifford added a rushing touchdown for five on the night, with the four touchdown passes tying a career-high. The fact Penn State’s offense looked that good through the air might be a good sign that they didn’t have last year.

If that type of consistency can continue for Penn State as the days go on, we’re looking at a darkhorse contender in the Big Ten. Maybe not an outright championship, but at the very least they’re looking like a dangerous threat during these very early stages of the season.

As for Ohio, the Bobcats are coming off a 41-38 win in their season opener against Florida Atlantic on Sunday. Bobcats quarterback Kurtis Rourke had an incredible day of his own, going 27 of 34 for 345 yards and four touchdowns, while James Bostic had six catches for 136 yards and a touchdown.

This offense is going to be a fun challenge for Penn State, which is what makes that +24.5 very intriguing. Given that Ohio can do some damage on the offensive side, that should be a factor. But Ohio hasn’t been a good spread team the past few years. The Bobcats are just 7-9 ATS in the past three years. That, ideally, is not a good look.

Penn State should win this game, but part of me is convinced that Ohio will keep this close because of its passing game. Penn State’s pass defense was superb in deflecting 17 passes last week. A strong home crowd with that defense should be enough to play well against the pass. Penn State wins by 28

Ohio is 65-71 ATS in road games since 1992.

Ohio is 42-40 ATS off a home win since 1992.

Penn State is 102-90 ATS at home since 1992.

Penn State is 29-16 ATS in its last 45 off a win by six points or less.

Passing: Kurtis Rourke -- 345 yards, 4 TD

Rushing: Sieh Bangura -- 114 yards

Receiving: James Bostic -- 136 yards, 1 TD

Passing: Sean Clifford -- 282 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT

Rushing: Kaytron Allen -- 31 yards

Receiving: Mitchell Tinsley -- 84 yards