(Video courtesy GoPSUTV)
Kickoff: Saturday, noon ET (ESPN)
Spread: Penn State by 6
Watchability: The Nittany Lions will debut under first-year coach Bill O’Brien in their new jerseys in front of an anticipated sell-out crowd around 108,000. The team is beginning to rebuild after suffering NCAA sanctions from the Jerry Sandusky scandal and Saturday represents a huge step.
Shining stars: Ohio: Quarterback Tyler Tettleton completed 64.2 percent of his passes last season for 3,306 yards with 28 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in addition to rushing for 658 yards and 10 scores. Penn State: LB Michael Mauti has been the face and emotional leader of the team since the NCAA cracked down on the school. Mauti played in four games last year due to a knee injury, but he still recorded 21 tackles. He is expected to return to the starting lineup on Saturday.
Who could steal the show: Ohio: Kicker Matt Weller was voted the 2011 MAC special teams player of the year for connecting on 25 of 34 FGs and 48 of 49 PATs. Weller could be the difference in what is expected to be a close game. Penn State: WR Allen Robinson has three career catches for 29 yards but is expected to be the team’s top threat in the passing game. The sophomore can play multiple positions and should get plenty of touches in O’Brien’s attack.
You going? Ranking the road trip: With a hot day on tap in State College, take a chance to cool off at the Creamery. The famous ice cream shop is located in the Food Science Building on the corner of Curtin and Bigler Roads. It features more than 100 flavors, including Cherry Quist and Keeney Beany.
Magic number for Ohio: 15. Starters returning from last year’s team, the first Bobcats squad to win a bowl game.
Magic number for Penn State: 100. Wins in 113 all-time home openers for the Nittany Lions.
The game comes down to: Can Penn State’s offense be any worse? The unit was 95th in total offense (343 ypg), 96th in passing yards (177 ypg) and 110th in scoring (19.3 ppg). O’Brien will unveil his new attack against the Bobcats and if it can be even marginally better, there is still enough talent on defense to be a very good team.
Bottom line: Penn State will come out as amped as any team in the country. This could make the players more likely to make mistakes, but also give them the extra rush to make a few remarkable plays. Ohio is better than many think, but the Nittany Lions take out some pent up frustration on Saturday.
Prediction: Penn State 28, Ohio 17
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow @CBSSportsBigTen.
