The Illinois Fighting Illini (2-5, 1-3 Big Ten) travel to play the No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions (5-1, 2-1) Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET. Below, we look at the Illinois vs. Penn State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Illini were blanked 24-0 at home against Wisconsin last weekend, and Illinois is averaging just 12.8 PPG across the past five outings, hitting the Under in each of those games.
The Nittany Lions will be champing at the bit, looking to bounce back after their only loss two weeks ago at Iowa. Penn State has been off ever since. Prior to that loss, the Nittany Lions were 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS and allowing just 12.0 PPG across the first five contests.
Rankings according to the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Illinois at Penn State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Illinois +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000) | Penn State -2500 (bet $2,500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Illinois +23.5 (-112) | Penn State -23.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -103 | U: -117)
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Illinois at Penn State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Penn State 35, Illinois 10
Money line
Penn State (-2500) will cost you 25 times your potential return. And while there is nearly zero chance it loses this game, that’s just too much risk for little reward.
AVOID, and look to the spread.
Against the spread
PENN STATE -23.5 (-108) is the lean in this conference battle. The Nittany Lions will be well-rested, and the good news is QB Sean Clifford (upper body) was able to return to practice this week and he might be able to play.
The Nittany Lions don’t really need him to win, as QB Ta’Quan Roberson should be much better than he was in relief at Iowa. Roberson has had plenty of reps in practice to be more prepared.
Over/Under
UNDER 45.5 (-117) is the lean, ever so slightly. Illinois failed to generate any offense against Wisconsin, and Penn State’s defense is much nastier than the Badgers.
The Nittany Lions have allowed just 13.8 PPG, fourth in the nation, and they have yielded just 312.0 total yards per game. The Illini will be lucky to reach double digits.
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