No. 9 Ohio State Buckeyes at Penn State Nittany Lions: Preview, prediction, TV info

No. 9 Ohio State (8-0, 4-0) at Penn State (5-2, 3-0 Big Ten)

Kickoff: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Spread: Penn State by 2

Watchability: This could be the game of the year in the Big Ten. Penn State and Ohio State are ineligible for the postseason, but they can win the Leaders Division title under league rules. The Nittany Lions tout a revamped offense and aggressive defense, and the Buckeyes have the top running game in the league and a talented defense. Don't touch that dial.

Shining stars: Ohio State -- QB Braxton Miller suffered a minor concussion in last week's overtime win over Purdue but is expected to start against the Nittany Lions. Miller has passed for 1,384 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He's rushed for a team-high 959 yards with 19 touchdowns. Miller is one of the best open-field runners in the country, but if he can't go, junior Kenny Guiton should start in his place. Penn State -- QB Matt McGloin has emerged as the top drop-back passer in the league, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 1,788 yards with 14 touchdowns against two interceptions. He also has five rushing scores and has thrown for two touchdowns against three interceptions in two career games against the Buckeyes.

Who could steal the show: Ohio State -- DB Bradley Roby might be the best defensive player in the league. Roby has 38 tackles, a sack, 14 passes defended, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick. He will get chances to make plays in space against the Nittany Lions. Penn State -- LB Michael Mauti continues to steal the show as he leads the team with 65 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also is tied for second in the conference with three interceptions and is one of the top players at his position in the country.

Magic number for Ohio State: 6. Blocked kicks for the Buckeyes this season -- three extra points, two punts and a field goal.

Magic number for Penn State: 0. Points allowed by the Nittany Lions in the first quarter this season. Penn State has outscored opponents 66-0 in the first quarter and 100-23 in the first half.

The game comes down to: Can Penn State contain Miller? The sophomore is one of the most dynamic players in the country and averages 292 yards of offense per game. Mauti and fellow standout LB Gerald Hodges must contain Miller while also helping generate a pass rush. Penn State yielded 28 points against a similar offense in Northwestern and lost 24-14 to Ohio's spread attack in the season opener.

Eye on College Football's take: THE INELIGIBOWL. This game will be on the Penn State defense. The Nittany Lions are going to be able to put up points on a porous Ohio State defense, so the key will be how the Nittany Lions defense can keep Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde in check. -- Tom Fornelli

Prediction: Ohio State 34, Penn State 28

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow @CBSSportsBigTen.