No. 2 Penn State meets No. 6 Ohio State in a top-10 showdown that could determine who represents the Big Ten East in the Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 2 in Indianapolis.
It's a huge game at Ohio Stadium and another chapter in a rivalry that heated up when the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten in 1993. Ohio State leads the series 17-14, and this marks the seventh top-10 showdown between the Big Ten East rivals.
MORE: Big Ten playoff outlook in November
Not included on this list is the 1980 Fiesta Bowl where No. 10 Penn State defeated No. 11 Ohio State 31-19. It just missed the cut.
Here's a look at the blockbuster top-10 regular season matchups that did make it:
No. 3 Ohio State 17, No. 7 Penn State 9 (1975)
Records (at time of game): Ohio State 1-0, Penn State 1-0
Where: Ohio Stadium
What happened: Woody Hayes and Joe Paterno met in just the teams' fifth matchup. Ohio State running back Pete Johnson scored a touchdown on the opening drive, but the Nittany Lions battled back behind three field goals from Chris Bahr, including a 55-yarder. Ohio State clinched the victory, however, with a second touchdown from Johnson. Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin broke 100 yards rushing for the 23rd consecutive game.
Aftermath: Ohio State finished 11-1, the lone loss coming to UCLA in the Rose Bowl. Penn State finished 9-3 and lost to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
No. 2 Ohio State 12, No. 7 Penn State 7 (1976)
Records: Ohio State 1-0, Penn State 1-0
Where: Beaver Stadium
What happened: Ray Griffin had a clutch goal-line interception for the Buckeyes in the first half, and Bobby Hiatt's second-half touchdown gave Ohio State a 12-0 lead. Penn State cut the lead to 12-7 on a touchdown run by fullback Matt Suhey, but couldn't score in the final minutes.
Aftermath: Ohio State lost the following week to Missouri and finished 9-2-1. Penn State struggled to a 7-5 season that ended with a loss to Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl.
MORE: Penn State-Michigan: A history
No. 3 Ohio State 38, No. 4 Penn State 7 (1996)
Records: Ohio State 3-0, Penn State 5-0
Where: Ohio Stadium
What happened: The Buckeyes outgained the Nittany Lions 565-211 in a blowout. OSU Quarterback Stanley Jackson threw two touchdowns and running back Pepe Pearson rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown in a game that wasn't even close from the outset.
Aftermath: Ohio State finished 11-1, the only loss coming to Michigan in the regular-season finale. The Buckeyes beat Arizona State in the Rose Bowl. Penn State finished 11-2 and beat Texas in the Fiesta Bowl.
No. 2 Penn State 31, No. 7 Ohio State 27 (1997)
Records: Ohio State 5-0, Penn State 4-0
Where: Beaver Stadium
What happened: Ohio State threatened to derail the Nittany Lions again by taking a 27-17 lead in the third quarter, but Penn State rallied behind a 51-yard touchdown run from Aaron Harris and a 26-yard touchdown by Curtis Enis in the fourth quarter. Enis finished with 211 rushing yards.
Aftermath: Ohio State finished 10-3 and lost to Florida State in the Sugar Bowl. Penn State finished 9-3 and lost the Citrus Bowl to Florida.
MORE: Time for Penn State to show it's big-game ready
No. 1 Ohio State 28, No. 7 Penn State 9 (1998)
Records: Ohio State 3-0, Penn State 3-0
Where: Ohio Stadium
What happened: The Buckeyes took advantage of three Penn State turnovers to break open a close game, the most critical a fumble recovery in the end zone by Jerry Rudzinski. A blocked punt by Percy King, which Joe Cooper recovered in the end zone, set the blowout in motion.
Aftermath: Ohio State finished 11-1, the lone loss coming to an unranked Michigan State. The Buckeyes won the Sugar Bowl. Penn State finished 9-3 and beat Kentucky in the Outback Bowl.
No. 3 Penn State 13, No. 10 Ohio State 6 (2008)
Records: Ohio State 7-1, Penn State 9-0
Where: Ohio Stadium
What happened: Ohio native Daryll Clark led the Nittany Lions and Pennsylvania five-star freshman Terrelle Pryor led the Buckeyes. A defensive struggle ensued. Clark was knocked out with a concussion, and Pryor committed the big mistake with a fumble, which backup Penn State quarterback Pat Devlin would capitalize on for the game-winning touchdown drive.
Aftermath: Ohio State finished 10-3 and lost to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State finished 11-2, with the losses coming to Iowa in the regular season and USC in the Rose Bowl.
