Saturday will be the Shoe’s first night game since “The Ryan Hamby Mishap” when Vince Young and the Longhorns narrowly defeated Ohio State on the way to a Texas’ National Championship.

The matchup (#2 Texas vs. #4 Ohio State), not the outcome, resembled much of the year’s USC outing.  However, the winner of both Texas and OSU meetings went on to compete for the BCS Title.

As #3 Penn State makes their way into Columbus Saturday, they too, are on a championship run.  In fact, Penn State has become a projected favorite to compete in that BCS Title game with Ohio State once again playing USC in the Rose Bowl.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach gave his early opinion on Saturday’s matchup.

The Penn State-Ohio State match up is beyond intriguing.  Penn State could come out of Columbus on their way to Miami, but an Ohio State victory puts the Buckeyes right back in the hunt.  However much the world hates OSU doesn’t counter what they can earn.

Let’s take a look and project Penn State’s remaining schedule for 2008:

at #9 Ohio State (Saturday)
at Iowa W 38-10
vs. Indiana W 45-3
vs. Michigan State W 28-14

So, Mark could be right as only Alabama and Texas stand in their way at #2 and #1.  One of the two is bound to lose since ‘Bama plays in the “world-famous” SEC and still has to play at Tennessee, at LSU, and Auburn at home.

However, Ohio State can not bare to let another Big Ten team represent the conference in the Title Game.  This game may decide the Big Ten and the Buckeyes could be the first team in B10 history to win the conference outright 3 years in a row (4 straight championships).

Penn State has failed to win in Columbus since joining the Big Ten in 1993.  Their record stands at 0-7 at the ‘Shoe and Ohio State leads the series 12-11 overall.

This game is huge.

In other news, the Terrelle Pryor vs. Mark May battle continues after May directly called out Terrelle for under performing in the recent Purdue win and being melodramatic when threatening to bench himself.

I’d like to battle Mark May any day, said Pryor after trouncing MSU.

In response, Mark May added that Pryor has somewhat proved himself, but there is still a lot of football left to be played and tons left to be proved.

Just raise the white flag already Mark.  It’s time to get over your defeat in 1980.  I’m sorry you lost and went to the Gator Bowl.