Big Noon Kickoff was live from Happy Valley for the game of the week in college football, and FOX’s pre-game show brought the heat ahead of the Ohio State vs. Penn State matchup.

The storylines are plentiful for Saturday in what will be a game to try and keep pace in the Big Ten race as we jumpstart November. The winner will have a great shot at reaching the College Football Playoff down the road while the loser will have to wait and see how some other things shake out.

Both head coaches are also in the spotlight with James Franklin and Ryan Day each searching a marquee win in recent seasons. With both teams holding a top-5 ranking, the winner on Saturday will have a great statement for their respective program.

For Day, he has the pressure of avoiding a 2nd regular-season loss before we even reach The Game, something that has been a rarity in Columbus for the Buckeyes. For Franklin, he is looking for a breakthrough against a top-5 opponent while a win would keep his Nittany Lions in the thick of the B1G race alongside undefeated Oregon and Indiana teams.

Ahead of the matchup, here is how the Big Noon Kickoff crew picked the game:

  • Urban Meyer — 21-20, Ohio State
  • Matt Leinart — 28-24, Penn State
  • Mark Ingram — 24-23, Penn State
  • Brady Quinn — 24-23, Ohio State

The crew is decidedly split, but every single one expects a tight affair to the final buzzer. Kickoff is off and rolling with coverage on FOX.