The wait is over. Unbeaten State of Pennsylvania gets another chance at Ohio State today at Beaver Stadium.

Are the Nittany Lions (7-0) ready to defeat the Buckeyes (6-1) for only the second time in the James Franklin era?

Here are some of my weekend thoughts on PSU-OSU.

Penn State’s QB plan. Drew Allar Was unable to play in the second half against Wisconsin after suffering an apparent leg injury. Replacement Beau Pribula shone in his absence. Allar practiced Wednesday, but is he healthy enough to impact this game with his legs? We know there’s nothing wrong with Drew’s right arm. And if Drew starts, will we see more of Pribula, the dual threat?

Look at the Lions offense on third down. Penn State has converted 50 percent of its third-down chances in seven games. Ohio State’s defense is only allowing a 32 percent conversion rate. What will the Lions’ third conversion number be at the end of today’s game? Remember, Penn State converted just one of 16 third-down chances in the Lions’ 20-12 loss to Ohio State in Columbus a year ago.

Take the walk. Ohio State dual-threat quarterback Will Howard was a prep star at Downingtown West in Pennsylvania. Penn State didn’t recruit him, and neither did Ohio State, for that matter. He did great things at Kansas State before joining the Buckeyes program this season. He made it clear after OSU’s win over Nebraska that he’s looking forward to today’s game at Beaver Stadium. “I wanted to go there (Penn State) my whole life,” Howard said. “They didn’t think I was good enough. I guess we’ll see next week if that was the case. If Ohio State wants to get a win, Howard will need to make plays, positive plays, against one of the best defenses in the sport.

Offensive coordinators in the spotlight. Ohio State has Chip Kelly, Penn State has Andy Kotelnicki. Two of the best OCs in the country will be on display today at Beaver Stadium. Both Kelly and Kotelnicki are highly regarded for their projects, especially in the running game. But it won’t be easy to damage two of the best run defenses in FBS. Ohio State is ranked No. 6 in fewest yards allowed per game (91.3), and Penn State is ranked No. 8 (93.0).

Just say “no” to Tuimoloau. I wrote about Ohio State rusher JT Tuimoloau earlier in the week and it’s time to double down on my feelings towards the “other” #44 in this match. Penn State needs to have a plan to deal with Tuimoloau in pass-rush situations and against the run. The big guy destroyed Penn State’s offense in Ohio State’s 44-31 victory at Beaver Stadium in 2022.

We’re getting closer to 100. Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, the Lions leader in catches (47) and yards (559), has 96 career receptions. It would be a surprise if it doesn’t reach at least 100 today. Of Warren’s 47 receptions, 29 resulted in first downs.