Coming off a 9OT loss, Clifford will try to help the Nittany Lions offense bounce back this week.
Stroud and top targets WR Chris Olave and WR Garrett Wilson are dynamic threats on the outside, with RB TreVeyon Henderson gashing opponents up the middle.
When Penn State meets Ohio State on Saturday night, it will mark the 29th straight year that the two powerhouse programs have met.
Clifford threw for three touchdowns last year against Ohio State and may need to replicate or exceed that performance in what could be a high-scoring affair.
The back end features star safety Jaquan Brisker and a solid cornerback tandem in Tariq Castro-Fields and Joey Porter Jr.
With weapons on the outside like wide receiver Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, Stroud’s 22 passing touchdowns are sixth-best in the FBS.
In Ohio State’s last four games, it has limited opponents to an average of 11 points per game.
This week, a loss for Ohio State almost surely knocks the Buckeyes out of the Playoff conversation; a loss for Penn State kills all hope for a Big Ten Championship berth.
Ohio State is in the midst of a four-game winning streak over Penn State, the longest in the series.