No. 7 Penn State traveled to No. 3 Ohio State for what was supposed to be one of the biggest games of the college football slate this weekend.
The Big Ten rivalry match instead quickly proved to be a slog, with both defenses largely shutting down the opposing offenses, resulting in far less action than viewers were hoping for coming into the day.
The Nittany Lions offense was especially painful to watch, going a dismal 1-for-16 on third down conversions. Quarterback Drew Allar completed just 18 passes out of 42 attempts, and Penn State's only touchdown came in the final 30 seconds of play with the game already largely out of hand.
Penn State went 1-16 (6.3%) on 3rd down in the loss vs Ohio State.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 21, 2023
With a minimum of 15 third down attempts, that's the worst 3rd down conversion pct by any AP-ranked team in a game over the last 10 seasons. pic.twitter.com/v08lvUkv5d
Ohio State ultimately took the win 20–12, remaining undefeated and keeping the Buckeyes’ hopes for another invite to the College Football Playoff alive and well.
But while the result could have massive ramifications in the coming postseason, its importance didn't change the fact that fans watching at home had been forced to sit through a snoozer.
Those disappointed with the game made their thoughts known on social media.
this Penn State-Ohio State game is assssssssssssssssssssssss
— Kim McCauley (@kimischilling) October 21, 2023
What every offensive play in Ohio State vs. Penn State feels like pic.twitter.com/MsasstR1oK
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 21, 2023
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 21, 2023
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) October 21, 2023
Michigan watching Penn State-OSU pic.twitter.com/qmbyrKHCNQ
— Richard🇬🇾Johnson (@RJ_cfb) October 21, 2023
"Penn State lost by one score to Ohio State" is mathematically true but emotionally false
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) October 21, 2023
Ohio State vs Penn State is just horrible football man… if you are still denying it I don’t know what to say
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) October 21, 2023
With the win, Ohio State moves to 7–0 on the season, with their regular season finale against Michigan looking like it will likely serve as a de facto play-in game to reach the College Football Playoff.
Hopefully the Wolverines offense can do a bit more damage than the Nittany Lions managed on Saturday, for viewers’ sake.
