Oct. 24, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., - Penn State will face its most formidable challenge of the season on Saturday when its visits Ohio State in a battle for first place in the Big Ten standings.
The third-ranked Nittany Lions (8-0, 4-0) and No. 10 Buckeyes (7-1, 4-0) will collide at 8:00 p.m. in Ohio Stadium. The clash will air nationwide on ABC, as well as on the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com.
ESPN's College Gameday Built By The Home Depot (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) and ESPN Radio's College Gameday (12:00-7:00 p.m.) will originate from near Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Penn State has won 39 of its past 48 games overall (81.2), tied for the nation's fifth-best record over that span. Penn State will be seeking its 10th 9-0 start under Coach Joe Paterno, with the last time coming in 1999.
Ohio State leads the series, 12-11, winning, 37-17 last year in State College and 28-6 in 2006 in Columbus. The Nittany Lions won, 17-10, at home in 2005. The home team has won 12 of the 15 meetings since Penn State began Big Ten play in 1993 and the higher ranked team has won 16 of the last 17 meetings.
Ten of the series meetings between the border rivals have been decided by eight points or less, with both teams winning five such contests. Four of the last seven games have been determined by eight points or less.
The Nittany Lions and Buckeyes rank among the nation's most tradition-laden and successful programs. Penn State and Ohio State are among the top 10 in all-time victories and winning percentage and are two of only 10 Division I-A programs with at least 750 all-time wins.
The Nittany Lions are sixth in victories with 796 and 10th in winning percentage at 68.9, having compiled a 796-347-42 record in their 122nd season. The Buckeyes are fifth in victories with 805 and fifth in winning percentage at 71.4, having compiled an 805-305-53 mark in their 119th season.
In post-season games, Penn State is eighth in appearances (40), third in wins (26) and second in winning percentage (67.5) among schools with at least 10 bowl victories. Ohio State is tied for ninth in appearances (39) and is tied for 15th in bowl wins (18).
Two of the nation's premier defenses will be looking to slow down a bevy of vastly talented offensive and special teams players. Ohio State is in the top three in the Big Ten in the four primary team defensive categories. The Buckeyes are first in rushing defense (97.1 ypg), second in total (265.4 ypg), second in pass efficiency (96.6 rating) and third in scoring defense (13.4 ppg). The Buckeyes are No. 10 in the nation in total defense, No. 12 in scoring and No. 22 in rushing defense.
The Nittany Lions again are ranked among the nation's Top 15 in three of the four primary defensive categories, as well as sacks, ranking first or second in the Big Ten in all five categories.
Penn State in NCAA/(Big Ten) Defensive Rankings: Rushing - 22nd/(2nd), 103.9 ypg; Pass Efficiency - 4th/(1st), 93.4 rating; Total - 8th/(1st), 263.2 ypg; Scoring - 6th/(2nd), 11.8 ppg; Sacks - 14th/(T 1st), 23 (2.8 spg)
Penn State is ranked in the Top 15 nationally in three offensive categories and lead the Big Ten in two of the four of the primary offensive categories. Penn State leads the Big Ten and is No. 7 in scoring at 45.4 ppg. The Nittany Lions lead the conference and are No. 10 nationally in rushing at 234.6 ypg. Penn State's 28 rushing touchdowns are most in the nation, with TCU second with 27.
The Nittany Lions are second in the Big Ten and No. 11 in the nation in total offense with a 482.1 ypg average. Penn State is third in the Big Ten and is No. 31 nationally in passing offense at 247.5 ypg.
Penn State and Tulsa are the only teams in the nation averaging more than 230 rushing yards per game and more than 240 passing yards per game according to the Oct. 19 NCAA statistics.
Following the Ohio State game, Penn State is off on Nov. 1 and returns to action Nov. 8 at Iowa (5-3, 2-2) . The Hawkeyes are idle this week and visit Illinois on Nov. 1. The kick time and TV for the Penn State-Iowa game should be announced on Monday, Oct. 27.