How will the Nittany Lions respond this week after a season-crushing loss to Illinois a week ago?

That is one of many questions that will be answered in Penn State’s primetime match-up with No. 5 Ohio State in Columbus tonight (7:30 p.m. on ABC).

The Buckeyes are not a ball club you want to play coming off your least impressive performance of the season.

The Nittany Lions will take on Ohio State for the 37th time, with three of the last five match-ups being decided by three or less points. Penn State head coach James Franklin is just 1-6 against the Buckeyes, who are absolutely rolling after an early season loss to Oregon. Since its loss to the Ducks, Ohio State has won five straight and has scored no less than 41 points. None of the games have been close either, with an average point differential of 41.6 points.

The Buckeyes were impressive last week in a 54-7 win over Indiana. Ohio State tallied 539 yards, including 382 through the air. C.J. Stroud completed 21-of-28 passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns. TreVeyon Henderson scored three touchdowns - two rushing and one receiving, while rushing for 81 yards. The Buckeyes recorded 14 tackles for loss as they held Indiana to 128 total yards.

A concern for the Penn State faithful starts on the defensive side of the ball this week. While I think the defense did enough to win the game, holding Illinois to just 10 points in regulation and forcing three turnovers, the Nittany Lions run defense was porous to say the least. Penn State gave up a staggering 357 yards rushing to an Illini offense that has not been very good this season.

Whatever Illinois exposed, I’m sure the Buckeyes saw it on tape and they have one of the best young running backs in the country in Henderson, who has rushed for 686 yards on just 78 carries and has scored 11 touchdowns this season. Henderson is fast and explosive, running behind an always-solid Ohio State offensive line. The Nittany Lions need to be much better against the run this week.

One positive from last week was that the defense continues to force turnovers and on the back end is still playing really well. Penn State came up with three takeaways against Illinois and it has forced a turnover in 13-straight games (20 total takeaways) dating back to the 2020 season. There is no doubt that if the Nittany Lions are to have a chance in this one they will need to force some Buckeyes’ miscues and they certainly have the ability to do that, especially if they can get pressure on Stroud.

The Penn State run defense will certainly play an important role in this game, but the most important aspect for the Nittany Lions in this match-up is the health of quarterback Sean Clifford. If Clifford is healthy and is able to move around in the pocket and also run when the opportunity is there, then I do think Penn State will be in the game.

Coach Franklin did say Clifford was close to 100 percent, which will be easy to see early on in the game. Ohio State ranks 11th in the Big Ten in passing defense, so there will be opportunities there if Clifford is able to make throws down the field.

Penn State wide receivers Jahan Dotson, KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Parker Washington have combined for 18 catches of 20-plus yards this season. Dotson leads the group with eight 20-plus yard catches, including a 36-yard grab against Illinois. Washington has six 20-plus yard receptions, while Lambert-Smith has four, including a 42-yard touchdown against the Illini. Dotson has caught at least one 20-yard pass in 24 career games.

If this is a close game, pay attention to the battle between Penn State’s red zone defense and Ohio State’s red zone offense. The Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten and rank seventh in the country, allowing a 65.2 conversion rate in the red zone, and holding opponents scoreless eight times which is tied for the nation’s best. Ohio State paces the conference and is sixth in the nation with a 96.6 conversion rate in the red zone, including 23 touchdowns in 29 trips.

Can Penn State do enough to stop Henderson and will Clifford be healthy?

Those are the two most important questions for the Nittany Lions in this game. I do think Clifford will be able to move around better in this one and I think he does make a few big plays with his receivers, but I just think the Penn State defense will struggle to get off the field on third down because of its problems defending the run.

My pick is Ohio State 37, Penn State 24.