Ohio State hosts Penn State in a Week 10 showdown at the Horseshoe. The top-ranked Buckeyes face a wounded but dangerous Nittany Lion team fighting for pride after four straight losses. Can Ryan Day’s squad prove they’re the nation’s best, or will Penn State’s last stand shake up the season?

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State takes on Penn State this Saturday in what was once one of the most anticipated matchups of the college football season though the luster has slightly faded.

Penn State enters Columbus reeling after four consecutive losses to Oregon, UCLA, Northwestern, and Iowa. In the aftermath, James Franklin has been fired, Terry Smith steps in as interim head coach, and starting quarterback Drew Allar is out for the season with an injury. Simply put, the Nittany Lions appear broken and on the ropes.

Meanwhile, the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes are rolling. Ohio State’s defense — the best in college football — has been suffocating opponents, allowing just 5.8 points per game, the top mark in the nation.

Offensively, Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, and Carnell Tate have helped unlock the vertical passing attack, and flashes of an up-tempo offense against Wisconsin could become a key weapon in this matchup. Expect Ohio State to attack early, looking to land knockout punches before Penn State can settle in.

A Heavyweight Fight, Not a Blowout

Despite the three-touchdown spread, this remains a talent-equated game. Penn State’s roster still ranks among the top 10 nationally. This matchup has the makings of a heavyweight fight rather than a runaway.

If Ohio State wins convincingly, it will mean one of two things:

1. The Buckeyes are legitimately the best team in America, or

2. Penn State is fully demoralized and has nothing left in the tank.

My belief? There’s still some fight left in that Penn State locker room. Expect the Nittany Lions to throw everything they have at the Buckeyes: trick plays, new formations, gadget packages, and younger players seeing action.

Everything is on the table.

The Formula for Victory

For Ohio State, the path to victory remains the same as it has in recent years:

• Take care of the football and limit turnovers.

• Affect the quarterback, freshman Ethan Grunkmeyer.

• Shut down the run, containing Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

• Execute in the red zone and finish drives.

If the Buckeyes stick to that formula: stop the run, play elite defense, and control the game, they’ll be victorious once again in the Horseshoe.

A Familiar Face Returns

This matchup also comes with an intriguing subplot. Jim Knowles returns to Columbus after leaving the Buckeyes following their National Championship run to become Penn State’s defensive coordinator.

So far, the Nittany Lions’ defense hasn’t lived up to expectations, and their preseason championship aspirations have vanished. For them, this game is their National Championship. Expect their best effort, even if it’s their last stand.

At the same time, Ryan Day’s team knows what’s at stake. The Buckeyes have handled every challenge this season with poise and precision. Coming off their second open week, this serves as a litmus test, a chance to reaffirm their dominance and showcase that their No. 1 ranking is no fluke.

When the ball kicks off in the Horseshoe, we’ll find out two things:

• Just how good Ohio State truly is, and

• Whether there’s still any juice left in that Penn State program.

One thing’s for certain: the Buckeyes will be ready for a fight. Ryan Day’s mantra all season has been “It’s About Us.” If the Buckeyes keep it about themselves, then they will be in good shape on Saturday. That’s the expectation throughout the Woody Hayes Athletic Center this week.