Ohio State vs. Penn State Picks & Predictions for PrizePicks CFB DFS
This Big 10 game between Ohio State and Penn State is the college football matchup of the weekend, and it’s a showdown between two top-five teams. This game could either clarify or further complicate the Big 10 standings and Conference Championship.
We’ll give you the CFB DFS picks for Ohio State vs. Penn State — the most important Big Ten matchup of the regular season — for PrizePicks and explain each player’s impact on the game.
Ohio State’s Big Ten championship hopes are slim, but with the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes still have a shot at a National Championship.
The question for Penn State head coach James Franklin is whether he can finally win a big game. He’ll have another opportunity here at home against an Ohio State team that’s underwhelmed recently.
Be sure to check out the Week 10 CFB Cheat Sheet for picks and predictions from the Saturday slate of college football games.
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No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Penn State: Time, How to Watch
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Beaver Stadium. University Park, Penn.
TV: FOX
Ohio State vs. Penn State Picks for PrizePicks
Here are the best picks for Ohio State vs. Penn State on PrizePicks. Find more player projections on the PrizePicks CFB board.
- Ohio State QB Will Howard 1.5 Passing TDs — More (Demon)
- Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith 49.5 Receiving Yards — More (Goblin)
- Penn State RB Kaytron Allen 0.5 Rush+Rec TD — More (Demon)
- Penn State TE Tyler Warren 5 Receptions — More
Ohio State QB Will Howard 1.5 Passing Touchdown — More (Demon)
Ohio State has not played its best football over the last few weeks. The one-point loss to Oregon was tough, and last week, the Buckeyes nearly gave away the win against Nebraska.
Howard was the saving grace in that game, with three touchdowns, which now gives him multiple touchdowns in six of seven games. He’ll face an excellent Penn State pass rush, with an 80.2 PFF pass-rush grade, which ranks fifth in the Big Ten.
Howard has seen other top pass rushing teams via PFF: Nebraska at 81.1 (third), Iowa at 79.0 (sixth), and Oregon at 77.3 (seventh). The passing yards weren’t always there, but he always finds his guys in the end zone.
Will Howard Projections Today
Here are more Will Howard projections for CFB DFS on PrizePicks today.
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Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith 49.5 Receiving Yards — More (Goblin)
Each season, Ohio State has one or two elite receivers. This year, that’s true freshman Smith, who leads the team with 623 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He’s dynamic in his route running and has confident hands, with only one drop this season, which occurred back in Week 1.
He’ll mostly face Penn State CB A.J. Harris, who is exceptional — his 82.1 PFF coverage grade ranks 48th out of 813 — so they’ll play it safe with Smith, who has surpassed this yardage total by at least 20 yards in every game during his outstanding freshman season.
Jeremiah Smith Projections Today
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Penn State RB Kaytron Allen 0.5 Rush Rec TDs — More (Demon)
If the Nittany Lions cannot stop Howard and his crew from scoring, James Franklin will suffer his tenth loss in 11 games against the Buckeyes. Their defense will play a crucial role, especially with uncertainty around the offense.
QB Drew Allar is expected to play but has an undisclosed injury, as does RB Nick Singleton. Allen has been their best offensive playmaker recently, averaging 4.8 yards per carry over his last four games and scoring in each.
Ohio State has one of the best run defenses in the nation, ranking second-best opponent rush EPA (-0.157), though the Buckeyes have allowed a rushing touchdown in three straight games.
Allen should have plenty of opportunity to find the end zone here, especially with Singleton banged up.
Kaytron Allen Projections Today
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Penn State TE Tyler Warren 5 Receptions — More
Ohio State uses a 4-2-5 defensive scheme, meaning they have just two linebackers and more safeties. The Buckeyes will occasionally play a 4-3 but prefer the versatility of the 4-2-5. This means a smaller unit on the field, mainly used to fill in gaps against the run.
This setup benefits the big tight end Tyler Warren, whose 91.2 PFF receiving grade ranks third among tight ends in the country. He has three receptions in each game, and over the last two weeks, he has 24 catches, including an absurd 17/224/1 stat line against USC.
Penn State will need to rely on him in the passing game, as the receivers may be tightly covered, but the Ohio State pass rush may only allow Allar time for short passes to his tight end.
Tyler Warren Projections Today
Here are more Tyler Warren projections for CFB DFS on PrizePicks today.
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Get Ohio State vs. Penn State Action on PrizePicks
This is a huge game between two long-time Big Ten rivals in bordering states between Ohio State and Penn State.
Use these picks to help you build your CFB Lineup on PrizePicks — the best way to get action on college football — then lock in for the game.
With PrizePicks, you can simply pick more or less for two or more players, put them in your lineup, and win real money during this top-five matchup. No salaries, no roster restrictions. Just fun.
Keep returning to the Playbook for more picks and analysis for CFB DFS all season long.
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