Penn State-Ohio State Rife With BCS Implications

I was very nicely asked by a chap from Bleacher Report if I could write about the BCS implications of the Penn State vs. Ohio State game at The Horseshoe on Saturday.

I'm charmed that I was asked—but hasn't there been enough coverage of this one?

So I'm going to answer the guy's questions and get this over with.

Is there more for the Nittany Lions to gain or lose from facing Ohio State?

The third-ranked Nittany Lions are 8-0, having gone on the road and pumped Wisconsin at Camp Randall and then broken the curse against Michigan. Tenth-ranked Ohio State will be their toughest game on the road.

If Penn State wins, then they will probably stay at three, bearing in mind that Texas and 'Bama will probably win next week. If they lose, then no BCS and no Big Ten title. In other words: a ton to lose.

For the record, I think it'll be the latter.

What kind of message could Penn State send to voters and the rest of the country?

You win at Ohio State, it sends a massive message to the rest of the nation: We can play anywhere. That's probably one of the reasons why Illinois was chosen for the Rose Bowl last year after they made the world laugh when they won at Columbus last year.

The problem is that Penn State would have to win by a double figure amount to make the rest of the world get up and notice them. They are in love with Texas and Alabama—the former who is simply the best team in the nation right now. 

What do Daryll Clark and the team need to do to prove Penn State is worthy of a shot of the BCS Championship?

Five words: Just win baby, just win.

Do I think that the Nittany Lions WILL win at Ohio State?

It'll be closer than other years that Penn State have played in Columbus, but the Buckeyes will prove too much for the Nittany Lions.

In other words, no (hoping that someone at Penn State reads this and it becomes instant bulletin board material!!)