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C.J. Stroud tabbed as guest picker for ESPN 'College GameDay'

IMG_7408by:Andy Backstrom•10/19/23•

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Stroud Texans
Maria Lysaker/USA TODAY Sports

COLUMBUS — Former Ohio State star quarterback C.J. Stroud will be the guest picker for ESPN’s flagship pregame show, “College GameDay,” this week.

“GameDay” is in Columbus for a top-10 showdown between No. 3 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) and No. 7 Penn State (6-0, 3-0). Stroud will join ESPN’s star-studded crew to pick a host of Week 8 games, including, of course, the Buckeyes-Nittany Lions matchup.

Stroud is the highest-drafted quarterback in Ohio State history. He was selected No. 2 overall by the Houston Texans this past spring and has taken the NFL by surprise in leading Houston to a 3-3 record through six weeks of action.

Stroud also set the NFL record for most passes to start a career without an interception. He was the Buckeyes’ starter in 2021 and 2022. Although he didn’t pilot Ohio State to a win over Michigan or a Big Ten title, he did get the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff last year and nearly beat Georgia with a herculean effort in that Peach Bowl semifinal contest. Plus, Stroud became a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist who repeatedly etched his name in the Buckeyes’ record book.

Ohio State has 57 appearances on “GameDay,” hosting the show 22 times before this weekend. In those featured games, the Buckeyes have a 39-18 record.

When are the Buckeyes playing Penn State?

Saturday, Oct. 21, 12 p.m. E.T.

Where are the Buckeyes playing Penn State?

Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Ohio State-Penn State Series history

Ohio State leads the all-time series, 23-14. The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions have played annually since 1993, the year Penn State football started taking part in Big Ten competition. That run will stop in 2026, as the newfound rivalry of sorts is not protected in the league’s new Flex Protect XVIII scheduling model. But, for now, it remains one of the most exciting head-to-heads in college football. Even though Franklin is just 1-8 versus Ohio State in his tenure, Penn State has either had the lead or at least tied the Buckeyes in the fourth quarter of five of those games. The Nittany Lions have had Ohio State on the ropes, most notably in 2017 and 2018 when the Buckeyes needed fourth quarter comebacks to pull out one-point victories.

That 2017 matchup stands out because Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett went 13-of-13 for 170 yards and three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, helping the Buckeyes outscore Penn State, 19-3, in the final frame. The year before that, Penn State beat Ohio State in Happy Valley, 24-21, thanks to a 17-point fourth quarter that was capped by cornerback Grant Haley returning a blocked field goal 60 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 4:27 left. Last year, Ohio State trailed in State College, 21-16, before sprinting to score 28 points in just over six minutes of game time. Defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and his game-wrecking performance — during which he was the catalyst for four takeaways — stole the show.

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