Ohio State-Penn State football:

 The first College Football Playoff rankings are just days away, but first, a major clash in the Big Ten is set as No. 3 Penn State hosts No. 4 Ohio State in Happy Valley. This game carries enormous implications for both the Big Ten race and the CFP standings.

The Buckeyes, coming off a loss to No. 1 Oregon, need a win to remain contenders at the top of the conference. The Nittany Lions, still undefeated despite a few close calls, haven’t beaten Ohio State since 2016. Their struggles against top Big Ten teams have kept them from the conference title game and the playoff in recent years.

According to the Allstate Playoff Predictor, a Penn State win would give them a 97% chance of reaching the playoff, dropping to 76% with a loss. For Ohio State, already carrying one loss, a win would boost their playoff chances to 88%, while a loss would lower them to 49%.