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<p>They don&#8217;t want to remember their last trip here to Columbus. For that matter, Penn State players don&#8217;t want to dwell on last year&#8217;s double-overtime thriller either.</p><p>Odds are the Nittany Lions won&#8217;t crumble like they did in 2013, a 63-14 loss. Odds are they probably won&#8217;t shut out the Buckeyes in the second half like they did in 2014.</p><p>Regardless, the Lions haven&#8217;t been too eager to reminisce about either game this week.</p><p>&#8220;We lost,&#8221; senior captain Jordan Lucas said. &#8220;That&#8217;s what I remember.&#8221;</p><p>That would be the common denominator there, yes.</p><p>So what chance do the Lions have this time around against the No. 1 team in the polls, the defending national champs who have never lost a regular season Big Ten game in four years under Urban Meyer? Slim, albeit better than it seemed a week ago.</p><p>From the sounds of things, the Lions are heading to the Horseshoe in better health than they&#8217;ve had for the past month. That should mean players like Saquon Barkley and Angelo Mangiro are back in the lineup along with all of the usual faces on defense. Even Adam Breneman got in his first regular reps with the offense this week after a week on the scout team to acclimate back to action.</p><p>The Buckeyes haven&#8217;t necessarily lived up to their No. 1 ranking through six weeks, tied or trailing Virginia Tech, Northern Illinois, Indiana and Maryland at halftime. But it&#8217;s hard to imagine them coming out sleepy for this one, with a packed house in primetime.<hr/><table style="width: 100%;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/ohio-state.gif" height="113" width="150"/></td><td style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"></p><p><strong>No. 1 OHIO STATE (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten)</strong></p><p><strong>vs. PENN STATE (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten)</strong></p><p>8 p.m., Saturday, ABC</td><td><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>QUARTERBACK</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/ohio-state.gif" height="113" width="150"/>The bad news for Penn State is that the Buckeyes may have finally settled into a groove under center with how they use Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett. While Jones remains the starter, Barrett was lights out last week against Maryland when he took the helm in the red zone, rushing for three scores. An active Barrett poses the biggest challenge to Penn State&#8217;s defense because of his running ability. Christian Hackenberg looks to be gaining some confidence in after a nice showing against Indiana, but he won&#8217;t have much time to throw. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>RUNNING BACK</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/ohio-state.gif" height="113" width="150"/>Will it be Saquon Barkley? Akeel Lynch? Maybe both after all? Both practiced on a limited basis this week with Lynch&#8217;s presence in particular a surprise given how painful his injury looked three weeks ago. The Lions could use both if they&#8217;re going to have any shot at the upset. They&#8217;ve been patient with Barkley in particular, electing not to rush him back to face Indiana last week. But it&#8217;s hard to beat the terrific production and experience of Ezekiel Elliott, who leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth in the nation with 835 yards on the ground. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>RECEIVER</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/ohio-state.gif" height="113" width="150"/>The Buckeyes had to replace plenty of talent here. Fortunately for them, they had a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year winner who was able to make the move to wideout. Braxton Miller is listed as an H-back, playing that do-it-all role that Percy Harvin starred in for Urban Meyer at Florida. And he&#8217;s already had some highlight-reel scores. Michael Thomas is a big target and no slouch himself. Penn State&#8217;s DaeSean Hamilton actually set a new school record against the Bucks last October, recording 14 catches in the near-upset. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>OFFENSIVE LINE</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/ohio-state.gif" height="113" width="150"/>Andrew Nelson returned last week for the Lions but the coaches put him back at his old spot at right tackle and kept Paris Palmer starting on the left side. It certainly suggests they&#8217;re going to give the Lackawanna College alum a shot there against some fearsome Ohio State pass rushers, easily his biggest challenge yet. Angelo Mangiro seems poised to return at center after sitting out last week. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, are anchored by 6-foot-8 monster Taylor Decker on the left side, one of three senior starters protecting both QBS. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>DEFENSIVE LINE</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: right;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/Penn_State-1.gif" height="113" width="150"/>These are two of the very best defensive fronts in the country. Through six games, the Lions have edged the Buckeyes in production, leading the nation with 25 sacks and also ranking in the top 10 in tackles for loss and forced fumble. No one in the country has more sacks than Carl Nassib (10), who has punished teams trying to focus too much on tackles Anthony Zettel and Austin Johnson. But the Bucks still have future NFL first-rounder Joey Bosa to go with Adolphus Washington in the middle. Bosa could easiy swing the game. <strong>EDGE: PSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>LINEBACKER</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/ohio-state.gif" height="113" width="150"/>There may not be a faster group of linebackers in the nation than Ohio State&#8217;s trio of Darron Lee, Joshua Perry and Raekwon McMillan. Lee in particular moves better than some defensive backs and is a huge threat when he drops back into coverage hunting for an interception. And, like McMillan, he&#8217;s only a sophomore. The Lions have some promise in two second-year linebackers of their own in Jason Cabinda and Troy Reeder, but neither has faced this many weapons from an opposing offense. It could be a steep learning curve for them. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>SECONDARY</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/ohio-state.gif" height="113" width="150"/>Ohio State is young but very aggressive at corner and they will play a lot of press coverage against Penn State wideouts that haven&#8217;t always been able to get separation. The corners can afford to be physical with a pair of excellent safeties in Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell behind them to help out. For the Lions, safety Marcus Allen made his starting debut last year against the Buckeyes but has battled a shoulder injury and is still looking for his first career interception. He and Jordan Lucas will need to help out against the run. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>SPECIAL TEAMS</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/ohio-state.gif" height="113" width="150"/>A new worry seems to crop up every week for the Nittany Lions, and Joey Julius missing two straight extra points against Indiana certainly qualifies. Barring a particularly rotten week of practice, however, it will be &#8220;Big Toe&#8221; kicking at the Shoe. Ohio State hasn&#8217;t been perfect either as Jack Willoughby has missed all three attempts of 40 yards or longer, but the Buckeyes haven&#8217;t had to rely on field goals often. Ohio State has a huge advantage at punter as Cameron Johnston trumps fellow Aussie Daniel Pasquariello and Chris Gulla. <strong>EDGE: OSU</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="width: 100%; border: 2px solid black; border-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: separate;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-size: x-large; background-color: #c00c00; color: white; border: 2px solid black;" colspan="3"><strong>PREDICTION</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: justify; font-size: small; border: 2px solid black; padding: 10px;" colspan="3"><img style="float: left;" alt="" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm187/dlevarse/ohio-state.gif" height="113" width="150"/>The Lions might end up being as healthy as they&#8217;re going to get at this point in the season. And the presence of Saquon Barkley in the backfield provides at least a sliver of hope. But the early schedule hasn&#8217;t exactly prepared Penn State for a game of this magnitude. The Lions&#8217; best shot is to keep J.T. Barrett off the field and hope to force Cardale Jones into multiple turnovers. But while the defense might keep this close for awhile, it&#8217;s too much to ask for the offense to consistently move the ball against the national champs. <strong>OHIO STATE 31, PENN STATE 10.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table></p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Derek Levarse</p><p>dlevarse@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Prediction time: Penn State-Ohio State breakdown