An annual matchup since 1993, Penn State and Ohio State meet for the 40th time where the scarlet-and-gray lead the series 24-14.*
Seven of the Buckeyes’ wins have come in the last seven meetings, as the Buckeyes have turned the rivalry into a one-sided affair over the past decade. Alongside their seven-game win streak, OSU is 9-1 in the last 10 matchups.
This go-around is a little different, though, as both teams enter the contest ranked in the top 5 for the first time since 1996.
Here’s a look back at two of the biggest games in the last 10 years:
- 2016: Penn State 24, No. 2 Ohio State 21
There aren’t many strong talking points Penn State fans can bring up against Ohio State fans, but 2016’s matchup is one of them.
Double-digit underdogs and trailing 21-9 as they entered the fourth quarter, the Nittany Lions mounted a 17-point comeback to stun the Buckeyes in Happy Valley. With less than five minutes left, PSU blocked Ohio State’s field goal attempt, leading to Grant Haley’s recovery and 60-yard return for what would become the game-winning touchdown.
2016 saw @PennStateFball upset No. 2 Ohio State with this eventual game-winning touchdown❗️ pic.twitter.com/0n4snN2acG
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) July 4, 2020
- 2017: No. 6 Ohio State 39, No. 2 Penn State 38
A year after one of Penn State’s biggest upsets in school history, the 2017 matchup was the definition of cinema.
Between Saquon Barkley’s house call on the opening kickoff and Ohio State’s fumble three plays into its first offensive drive, Penn State held a 14-0 lead two minutes into the affair and 28-17 at halftime.
That’s when OSU quarterback JT Barrett took over.
Dropping 22 points in the second half, the Buckeyes came back to stun Penn State capped off by wideout Marcus Baugh’s 16-yard receiving touchdown with less than two minutes left. Barrett finished with 328 passing yards, 95 rushing yards and four passing touchdowns.
*Ohio State’s 2010 win was vacated
