Penn State has been here before. Many times before.

The Nittany Lions were 7-0 in 2017 before losing to Ohio State. They went 4-0 in 2018 and then lost again to Ohio State. They lost by a score of 8-0 in 2019. Big Ten their championship hopes were ended by Ohio State. They went 6-0 last season, then suffered another loss to Ohio State.

Now Penn State is up 7-0 and the No. 3 team in the country awaits No. 4 team Ohio State.

This season is different because there’s less pressure, as the start of the 12-team postseason means the Nittany Lions are virtually a lock to reach the playoffs for the first time, regardless of Saturday’s outcome.

At some point, Penn State will make a Jim Harbaugh-style breakthrough against the Buckeyes to end a losing streak that dates back to 2017.

But this year may not be that year.

Penn State may be without quarterback Drew Allar, who suffered a knee injury last week. Although backup Beau Pribula performed well against Wisconsin, the Buckeyes’ second-string defense is an unfair assignment for a sophomore starting under center. Ohio State’s Will Howard’s best career performances came in his previous six games against top-10 teams.

Ohio State also faces an elite defense, but has yet to face a top-30 offense and only one top-50 passing attack, which came as 13th-seeded USC scored 30 points and scored two touchdowns.

Coach James Franklin’s failures aren’t limited to matchups with the Buckeyes. While Penn State was 2-17 against top-10 teams, Ryan Day lost just twice before the regular-season finale.

Ohio State’s troubles against Nebraska last week were understandable given the disappointment of a last-second loss to Oregon and the anticipation for this game going forward.

Always buy at a low price Buckeyes (-3.5).

BOISE STATE (-23.5) vs. San Diego State

It looked like Oregon was overrated and needed to score a field goal from long range to get past the Broncos. It turns out the Broncos might be in a good position to make the most of an invitation to the first 12-team dance.

Duke (+20.5) vs. MIAMI

Manny Diaz has been waiting for this moment for three years. Duke’s coach, formerly the Hurricanes’ new coach, has certainly salvaged some looks for the nation’s top-ranked offense. The Blue Devils (6-2) rank second nationally in shutouts (2.7 per game) and tackles for loss (8.9 per game).

ARKANSAS (+7) vs. Ole Miss

Pigs should no longer be ignored. They were ahead in the fourth quarter against the only undefeated team in SEC play. They are the only team to beat Tennessee. They have won the Rebels’ last two visits and have never lost outside of a touchdown to Lane Kiffin.

Air Force (+22.5) vs ARMY

The number is justified but still too many for this competition. Air Force’s Troy Calhoun and Army’s Jeff Monken shared 10 career meetings. Five of the last six matches ended in single digits.

MICHIGAN (+14.5) via Oregon

It could be an expression of how much things can change in a year. Or it may serve as a reminder of the power of the trench game, the Big House, and pride.

Florida (+16.5) over Georgia

The Bulldogs no longer march on the field like Michael Myers walked in Haddonfield. Once the most feared defense in college football, it ranks eighth in the conference. A point guard projected to be the No. 1 pick in the next draft (Carson Beck) has made eight picks in the last four games. Although Georgia has been favored in just one of six games this season, Florida’s new starting quarterback, DJ Lagway, has a much higher bet on the improving team – which has won three of its last four games and suffered a lone loss to No. 7 Tennessee in overtime. offers ceiling. He witnessed Florida’s 48-point effort against Kentucky’s top 20 defense.

Texas Tech (+13.5) vs. IOWA STATE

The Cyclones are 7-0 for the second time in school history, but they can’t afford to sleep on the Red Raiders’ top-20 offense. If Texas Tech can avoid an early hole, Tahj Brooks, who ranks third in the nation in rushing with 132.1 yards per game, should have a field day against an injury-plagued defense that ranks 114th in the country in yards allowed per carry (5.2). ).

Indiana (-7.5) vs MICHIGAN STATE

The Hoosiers enter November with the third-best scoring margin in the nation and represent the first team in 26 years to not trail in any of their first eight games of the season. The beauty of the 12-team playoff is that the Cinderellas can even make it out of the Power Four.

Kansas State (-13) vs HOUSTON

The lowest-scoring offense in the country isn’t any better at home either; He averages just over 14 points per game. Last year the Wildcats beat the Cougars 41-0.

CLEMSON (-10.5) vs. Louisville

Cade Klubnik’s long-shot Heisman bid should get a boost against a questionable secondary that has allowed seven interceptions in the last two games. The Clemson quarterback has 20 touchdown passes and two interceptions in the last six games.

SOUTH CAROLINA (+2.5) vs. Texas A&M

This line seems like a misprint until you remember that the Gamecocks were on the verge of upsetting Alabama and LSU. South Carolina, which has played three of four games as an underdog, could finally call it quits and get a bye, with the Aggies still celebrating their win over LSU.

IOWA (-3) over Wisconsin

The Hawkeyes are different at home. With dual-threat Brendan Sullivan stepping in to replace Cade McNamara, it could also be the 104th-ranked offense, as evidenced by last week’s 40-point outburst against Northwestern.

Betting on College Football?

Kentucky (+16.5) vs. TENNESSEE

It’s hard to imagine how the Wildcats will score, of course, but Mark Stoops has a remarkable track record of dragging more talented teams to Kentucky’s level. It’s happened twice already this season; Ole Miss lost 20-17 on the road, and Georgia lost 13-12. With Tennessee averaging less than 23 points per game in SEC play, it’s easy to drift into a low-scoring grind.

Pittsburgh over SMU (+7.5)

The undefeated Panthers are again being underestimated, but they responded well to the slap in the face and went 6-1 against the spread. If the Panthers get into the red zone, where they score more than 90 percent of the time, they will have great success against a defense that allows opponents to score on 83.3 percent of inside-20 possessions.

Best bets: Arkansas, Indiana, Florida
Season: 70-64-1 (8-18-1)
2014-23 record: 1.272-1.206-30