A weekly breakdown of the games that will shape the path to the College Football Playoff:MAIN EVENT: Ohio State at Penn StatePenn State might not be eligible for the four-team College Football Playoff in 2013, but that doesn't mean the Nittany Lions won't play a role in the national title chase.In this case, we'll find out exactly how good the Buckeyes are when they head to Happy Valley for what is sure to be a "White Out" on an 8 p.m. start.This is Ohio State's fourth visit to Penn State
Shawn Matthias Jersey for a true night game. The Nittany Lions upset No. 6 Ohio State in 2005, but the Buckeyes won in 2007 and 2012 -- both undefeated regular seasons.COMPLETE ROAD MAP TO THE PLAYOFFS: | | | | | | | The latter -- a 35-23 win in Urban Meyer's first season -- preceded a 63-14 rout in Columbus against Penn State last season. The Nittany Lions want payback under first-year coach James Franklin. Will they get it?It's going to be good theatre either way.FROM THE PRESS BOXLongtime Ohio State play-by-play radio announcer Paul Keels on what has made Ohio State so succe sful on the road under Urban Meyer:"I think what (the Buckeyes) understand is the students and fans are going to establish themselves and make it a good environment and a hostile environment. What makes those games difficult is the teams and the players. You certainly can't underestimate what they've done. The last time (at Penn State) they had a punt blocked for a TD and fell behind early. They got that smack in the mouth but were able to pull it together and push through it. That's the kind of game where just anticipate the road team is going to have adversity to deal with."LINEMAKERS LEANThe LVH SuperBook opened Ohio State as a 12-point favorite in this game, a number thats been bet down to -11.5. The last time Penn State was this big an underdog at home was back in 2001 against Michigan, who covered the 12.5-point spread in a 20-0 shutout.
Mark Stuart Jersey The Nittany Lions, in fact, were just 10-point dogs at home to then-No. 2 Alabama early in the 2011 season, the Tide covering in the 27-11 win.UNDERCARD: Michigan at Michigan StateOh, brother. Michigan State is the stronger sibling in the rivalry with Michigan now, and the proof is five wins in the last six meetings.What's worse for the Wolverines is a scheduling quirk means they return to East Landing this year, the site of last year's embarra sing 29-6 lo s where Michigan totaled -48 yards rushing.MORE: "At this stage the Spartans are ahead of Michigan," Michigan State play-by-play announcer George Blaha says. "It doesn't add up any other way."Here's some more foreboding math. Check out the last four seasons in which Michigan lost to Michigan State (excluding 2012). The Wolverines are 21-1 before meeting the Spartans, and 9-16 afterward. This game suddenly means everything for Brady Hoke.THREE MOREMiami, Fla. at Virginia Tech: Few college football traditions match, and fans will be treated to Miami at Virginia Tech at 7:30 p.m. It's worth it for the entrance. The Hokies have beat the Hurricanes in four of the last five meetings.South Carolina at Auburn: For all the succe s Steve Spurrier has enjoyed at South Carolina, he's 0-5 against Auburn since taking over in Columbia. He's not alone. The Gamecocks haven't beat Auburn
Mark Scheifele Jersey since 1933 and are 1-9-1 all time in the series.MORE: Alabama at Tenne see: The Crimson Tide is 7-0 against the Volunteers under Nick Saban, and the combined score of those games is 249-75. Alabama's longest win streak in the Third Saturday in October is 11 games, from 1971-81.SOCIAL BUZZ"What is going on in Baton Rouge? #Crazy"It's not a trap if you keep falling in. LSU and Ole Mi s have split the last six meetings, and the Rebels beat the Tigers with a last-second field goal.
Brandon Tanev Jersey In 2012, LSU needed an 89-yard punt return and a last-minute TD to put Ole Mi s away. Whatever happens, ..STAT THAT MATTERSOhio State faces a challenge with the addition of Michigan and Michigan State to the Big Ten East Division.It's not like the Buckeyes can't run the table. Ohio State swept Penn State, Michigan State and Michigan in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2012.Those three schools, however, have spoiled six Ohio State seasons in the last 20 years. Here are six games Buckeyes fan remember well, and another reason the showdown at Penn State looms large:1995: 11-2, lost at No. 18 Michigan 31-231996: 11-1, lost vs. No. 21 Michigan 13-91998: 11-1, lost to Michigan State 28-
Ondrej Pavelec Jersey 242005: 10-2, lost at No. 18 Penn State 17-102008: 10-3, lost vs. No. 3 Penn State 13-62013: 12-2, lost vs. No. 10 Michigan State* 34-24*Denotes Big Ten championship gameREMOTE CONTROLLEDPut your Sun Belt on Tuesday when Arkansas State travels to Louisiana-Lafayette, a matchup of last year's co-champions. The Ragin' Cajuns won last year's matchup 23-7. ... BYU and Boise State have combined for a the last five years. That's the perfect Friday night appetizer on the "Smurf Turf." WEEK 9 TOP GAMESTuesday, Oct. 21Arkansas State at Louisiana-LafayetteThursday, Oct. 22Miami, Fla. at Virginia Tech, 7:30 p.m.Friday, Oct. 24BYU at Boise State, 9 p.m.Saturday, Oct. 25South Carolina at Auburn, TBDMichigan at Michigan State, TBDOle Mi s at LSU, TBDWest Virginia at Oklahoma State, TBD Arizona State at Washington, TBD Texas Tech at TCU, TBDTexas at Kansas State, TBD Alabama at Tenne see, TBD Ohio State at Penn State, 8 p.m.
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