Penn State senior quarterback Trace McSorley (9) carries the ball during the game against Illinois at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 21, 2018. Penn State defeated Illinois 63-24. Credit: Courtesy of Caitlin Lee | The Daily Collegian Photo Editor

The latest edition in the Ohio State-Penn State saga will continue on Saturday when the two best offenses in the country battle in Happy Valley.

The Nittany Lions come in as the top-ranked scoring offense in the country with 55.5 points per game. Ohio State comes in second by only a point behind with 54.5.

These powerhouse offenses headline the clash of two undefeated top 10 teams that have come together for some of the most memorable moments of the past two seasons, including a game-winning blocked field goal for a touchdown by Penn State two years ago, and an 11-point comeback with less than five minutes to go led by J.T. Barrett at Ohio Stadium last season.

Add that to the game being on the road at Happy Valley, No. 4 Ohio State likely won’t see a matchup this challenging again all season.

“That’s one of the tops in the country. Very loud and the fans are very into it just like our Horseshoe,” Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said. “You’ve got to be ready for that kind of environment.”

No. 9 Penn State comes in off back-to-back 63-point games, the last being a 63-24 victory against Illinois. The top-scoring offense in the nation ranks No. 16 in total offensive production, with a top 10 rushing attack at 275 yards per game on the ground.

Redshirt senior quarterback Trace McSorley leads the Nittany Lions offense as the program leader in total touchdowns with 77. This season, McSorley has 998 total yards and 14 touchdowns — eight through the air and six on the ground — and two interceptions while competing 53.7 percent of his passes.

Meyer praised McSorley’s competitive edge.

“A winner, a guy that can do it all and a competitor,” Meyer said.

Meyer also complimented the play of junior running back Miles Sanders, who is No. 6 in the NCAA with 495 rushing yards, and has five touchdowns in the first four games. Sanders ran the ball for 200 yards against Illinois, helping break open a game that remained close for much of the first half.

Meyer said the Penn State team this year is very much the same team that lost to the Buckeyes by a point last year.

“Offensive line is better. And that running back is really good,” Meyer said. “We don’t see much difference at all. Scheme’s very similar to what they’ve done in the past and obviously the quarterback’s the guy that makes it go.”

McSorley is the major threat Ohio State will be looking to contain in Happy Valley. The redshirt senior brings a dual-threat ability and energy to the offense that becomes even more impactful in big games.

In last season’s Fiesta Bowl, McSorley completed 78 percent of his throws and amassed 402 yards of offense and two touchdowns in Penn State’s win over Washington. A year before, he threw for 382 yards and four touchdowns in the Big Ten championship win against Wisconsin.

He also has never lost a collegiate start at home.

Sophomore linebacker Pete Werner said he sees McSorley’s winning attitude in the film.

“He has a lot of toughness. He’s a great quarterback — the best one, most likely, we’re going to see this year,” Werner said. “He’s just a guy that has a drive to win games.”

The Nittany Lions defense ranks No. 8 in sacks per game with 3.5. Redshirt junior defensive end Shareef Miller leads the team with three, and 12 separate players have recorded a sack on the year.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins said he is expecting a strong defense in the Nittany Lions.

“Experienced players, really sound defensively,” Haskins said. “Yeah, they make a couple of mistakes but every defense does. When they get things rolling, they’re pretty good.”

Penn State ranks No. 29 in passing defense at 173.3 yards per game, while allowing the 48th most rushing yards per game with 172.5.

Prediction

Ohio State might have won five of the past six meetings against Penn State, but the series has dramatically picked up in intensity since 2016. Happy Valley is going to come out loud, and Haskins is going to be in the most hostile environment he has faced since Michigan a season ago.

Haskins will have to be as strong and composed as he has been all season for Ohio State to win, while McSorley will need to bring the energy and vocal leadership he’s known for in big games to give the Nittany Lions an advantage.

The run games have been strong points for both teams overall this season, but Penn State’s has been clicking more as of late, as sophomore and redshirt junior running backs J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber each ran for less than 60 yards each against Tulane.

Penn State’s weak point on the defensive side has been the run, and the Buckeyes will have to exploit that to allow Haskins to open up the passing game.

Ohio State has the stronger win under its belt, a 40-28 victory against TCU, and that added experience could help against a Penn State team that has not faced a ranked opponent this year.

But Penn State has the benefit of playing at home in one of the most intimidating stadiums in college football, and will face an Ohio State defense missing its best player, junior defensive end Nick Bosa.

The Buckeyes did not get real game-time experience for the Bosa-less defensive line against Tulane, but the line still has plenty of talent without him.

This game may very well come down to the cool and collected Haskins vs. the energetic, enthusiastic McSorley, and from what 2018 has shown, I give the edge to: Haskins.

Yes, McSorley has proved his ability in the crunch time, but his lackluster completion percentage and lack of strong opponent this year gives me more worries than the Ohio State quarterback who breaks a record with each new start.

This is a matchup that could go either way, and one that could be a shootout. In either case, Haskins has sold me as the guy who can get it done, and if his 16 touchdowns, 1,194 yards and single interception haven’t sold you, a winning performance against the No. 9 team in the country on Saturday will.

Wyatt Crosher: 38-36 Ohio State

Colin Gay: 35-31 Ohio State

Edward Sutelan: 42-35 Ohio State

Rachel Bules: 32-28 Ohio State

Chase Ray: 45-35 Penn State

Sydney Riddle: 35-27 Ohio State

Amanda Parrish: 38-35 Ohio State