Throughout the year, we will be asking and answering questions about various Ohio State teams, the players, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that
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Finally, after nearly two full weeks, we are finally back to a Buckeye game day as the Penn State Nittany Lions will visit Ohio Stadium for a Big Noon kickoff on Fox. Obviously, at the beginning of the season, the expectations for this game were much different than what the reality turned out to be.
So, earlier this week, we asked Buckeye Nation to let us know how PSU’s four-game losing streak had impacted the way they were feeling about the game. For some, it made a considerable difference; for others, it did not. In addition, we also asked them to pick the winner and the margin of victory for the game.
Today, we have the results. So, check them out below (along with my thoughts and feelings), and if the answers that your fellow fans put forth don’t jive with how you see things, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments at the bottom of the page. Also, if you feel confident about your score prediction, put some money where your mouth is, over at FanDuel Sportsbook, as they are the sponsor for today’s article.
Question 1: How has Penn State’s fall from grace impacted how you feel about Saturday’s game?
All week, Ryan Day has done everything in his power to remind fans — and presumably his team as well — that the Penn State roster is still filled with a ton of talented players, despite the fact that they are riding a four-game losing streak and they have become national embarrassments.
Well, it seems like the head coach’s message has found its intended target, because 31% of respondents are still a bit on edge about the potential for the Nits to challenge the undefeated, top-ranked Buckeyes. I also respect the 26% of fans who have a personal vendetta against Jim Knowles. Between him and Tony Alford, I will never not root for the Buckeyes to humiliate them.
Question 2: What will the margin of victory be in Saturday’s game against Penn State?
When the FanDuel Sportsbook opened its betting at OSU -20.5. Since then, it has dropped a bit to 18.5 points. The gold standard college football analytics system, SP+, has it as a 32-19 game in favor of the Buckeyes, which is not a cover. But I will note that the Buckeyes are 6-0-1 against the spread this season.
Earlier in the week, I said I was going to go 35-6, then I told our friends over at Penn State site Black Shoe Diaries that I was feeling 38-10, but on this morning’s “Land-Grant Tailgate Podcast” and in LGHL’s official predictions article, I went 38-6. So, I guess I would be in that 29-35 point range with 8% of the Buckeye respondents.
Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. Visit FanDuel Sportsbook for all of your college football betting needs.
