NO. 1 OHIO STATE (8-0) AT NO. 24 PENN STATE (6-2)

* Kickoff: Saturday 5 p.m. PDT

* TV: Channel 7.

* Line: Ohio State by 4.

* Ohio State update: The Buckeyes have won a school-record 26 consecutive regular-season games, but they begin the most difficult portion of their schedule this week -- with Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan to follow. They’ve been winning with a defense that’s ranked No. 1 overall in the nation, giving up only 7.9 points per game and seven points or fewer in six games.

* Penn State update: The Nittany Lions have won three consecutive games to return to the top 25. They peaked at No. 10, but consecutive losses to Michigan and Illinois had dropped them out. Linebacker Sean Lee and lineman Maurice Evans form the core of a defense that is giving up only 15 points per game and leads the nation in sacks. They have only two victories against teams with winning records, but those have come in the last two weeks.

* Story line: Ohio State has padded its record against teams that are a combined 30-32 so the Buckeyes need to prove they deserve the No. 1 ranking. It won’t be easy at Happy Valley, where Penn State is 5-0 this year and 18-1 since 2005. That includes a 17-10 victory over the Buckeyes two years ago, Ohio State’s last regular-season loss.

* The pick: Penn State. In a game between teams similar in every major statistical category, home field decides it.

- PETER YOON