I disagree with the sentiment that Penix would be lucky to make an NFL practice squad. He suffered a bad ACL injury in '18, and only played a partial year in '19. This is his first full season as a starter. And he has been very impressive. Lets see what he does as a senior next season. What other QB names, within the conference, stand out as a force next season?
To answer AH's question - He's always been in the running all year within the conference among the leading QBs. After Saturday's game, he's now leading in some categories, and he has an edge on Fields who, as you stated, has played one less game. But that shouldn't diminish what Penix has accomplished this year. That's not a fluke. And he definitely out-played Fields Saturday.
Again ... I know it may come off that way, possibly slighting Penix, but it's not my intention. He's a darn good QB with a positive upside. Who knows the future? I'm just saying that OSU's putrid pass D, now last in the conference, made him look far better then what he has shown overall in his brief career. Indiana throws the ball far more then OSU due to a lack in the running game, while OSU, even with a Fields, shows a more balanced offensive attack. Not until this season has Penix ever came close to 50 Pass ATTs. He's done it twice this year (Michigan, OSU). 51 ATTs Saturday vs the Bucks. Yet if there can be one "knock" on Penix it's his accuracy/completion %. He completed barely over half of those passes (27/51 52.9%). And the difference in the game was his INT ran back by Wade for a TD. Fields threw 3 INTs, made some bad decisions; but it didn't hurt them, they didn't give up points.
My main point on this one game was more of an indictment of Ohio State's secondary then of Penix.