It’s no secret that Ohio State hasn’t really been tested this season. Winning every game by at least three touchdowns, the Buckeyes haven’t dealt with a tough game that comes down to the fourth quarter.

Ryan Day doesn’t anticipate that trend will continue this weekend when No. 2 Ohio State welcomes No. 9 Penn State into Columbus for the premier B1G matchup of the season. Day says that, with the talent the Nittany Lions have on the field, his team is preparing for and expecting a four-quarter contest this weekend.

“Our team knows what’s at stake. But now it’s … This is a talent-equated game,” Day said. “We know we’ve had game when we’ve had more talent. In this game, talent equates.”

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Day said Saturday’s game, which will essentially determine the B1G East champion, comes down to the better prepared, most disciplined team.

“It goes back  to discipline, goes back to fundamentals, goes back to toughness,” Day said.

The Ohio State-Penn State game has become one of the most intriguing matchups the past three seasons. The Nittany Lions pulled off the upset in Happy Valley in 2016, but the Buckeyes have won the last two meetings, clinging to one-point victories in 2017 and 2018.

Ohio State expects a similar game.

Now that Ohio State will play a team that matches in the talent category, Day says that quarterback Justin Fields — who has rarely played in the second half this season — is preparing to go all 60 minutes on Saturday. It’s the same way that Dwayne Haskins and J.T. Barrett prepared the previous two seasons.

With a 10-0 record this season, Ohio State can clinch its third-straight division title with a win on Saturday over Penn State. The Nittany Lions, however, would need to win their season finale against Rutgers — or have Michigan beat Ohio State — to guarantee a trip to Indianapolis.

All eyes will be on Columbus this Saturday, and the Buckeyes are preparing for the biggest game of the season.