Game time set for Penn State football's biggest test yet vs. Ohio State

Penn State's shot at making its first College Football Playoff appearance will run through Columbus, yet again.

And it will be a prime time spectacle on Halloween weekend.

The Nittany Lions will play for the fourth time this season on ABC, this one against the steamrolling Ohio State Buckeyes.

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Game time is now set for 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 30.

Though this still may be a match between one-loss, Top 10 teams, it certainly may carry a different vibe than previously expected. Standout Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford's playing status is unknown heading into this weekend's Homecoming festivities against Illinois.

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He was forced to watch the second half of his team's loss to Iowa on the sideline and in street clothes after taking a wicked hit while throwing. Who knows if he will even be cleared to play against the Buckeyes?

If not, it would be a monumental task for a little-used backup like Ta'Quan Roberson to lead the Lions against one of the nation's premier programs. One that that blitzed its previous four opponents since suffering its only defeat to Oregon. 

The Lions most definitely will be without defensive captain and All-America candidate PJ Mustipher, who injured his knee against Iowa. He's been declared out for the remainder of the season.

This will be the Lions' third prime time game of 2021 with more possibilities to come. Their most prime time appearances (four) happened during the 2016 and '19 seasons.

And it will be a most difficult challenge, no matter of time or even quarterback status. Penn State has won only twice in Columbus since joining the Big Ten and not since the 2011 season.

A little twist to the evening? The Buckeyes will break out an all-scarlet version of their uniforms for the game. They have previously worn all-gray and all-black versions against the Nittany Lions in 2015 and 2017.

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on Twitter @YDRPennState.