Penn State vs. Ohio State: Nittany Lions Will Outlast Buckeyes in Slugfest

The Penn State Nittany Lions (8-2) will hold on to their top 25 BCS ranking this Saturday when they steal an impressive win on the road over Big Ten rival Ohio State (6-4).

The demoralized program is still in the hunt for a Big Ten championship despite its disheartening loss to Nebraska last week at Beaver Stadium.

Penn State is undefeated, a perfect 3-0 on the road in 2011, and has allowed less than 15 points per game on the road this season, bad news for the anemic offense of Ohio State.

The Nittany Lions will also be looking for revenge, after suffering a brutal 38-14 loss to the Buckeyes last season on the road.

The two troubled programs are among the least successful in the nation in scoring offense this season, which should make for a nail-biting defensive struggle, which we have become accustomed to seeing week after week in the Big Ten.

Although the spread favors Ohio State by seven points at home, their pathetic offensive attack, ranked 108th in the nation in total yards, will keep Penn State in the game long enough to squeak out a W.

Tom Bradley's bunch is certainly mediocre on the offensive end, but his rushing attack features actual running backs, including talented sophomore Silas Redd, who has rushed for 1,059 yards in 2011.

The Buckeyes' second-leading rusher is freshman quarterback Braxton Miller, who leads the team in carries with 110 through the first 10 games of the season.

The combination of Ohio State's lack of identity and Penn State's consistent approach to Big Ten road games will send the Buckeyes to their fifth loss of the season and second at home all year.

The Nittany Lions win will set up a monumental Big Ten Championship playoff between Penn State and Wisconsin next weekend in Madison.