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Don’t look now, but Rutgers is suddenly one win away from a bowl game with two games left to play after winning two of their last three.
Their second-to-last game of the regular season doesn’t come easy, as they head to Happy Valley to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Nittany Lions now sit at 6-4 overall this season and have fallen out of the top 25, but were ranked as high as No. 4 in the USA Today Sports AFCA Coaches Poll during the 2021 campaign.
Rutgers enters the contest as a 17.5 point underdog according to Tipico Sportsbook. The Nittany Lions may have underperformed this season, but Tipico feels they are still a three score favorite against the Scarlet Knights.
More importantly, the outcome of this game, especially if Rutgers can keep it close or pull off an upset, may (or may not) have a big impact on recruiting for the two programs. Both schools play in the Big Ten and their campuses are separated by only a few hours.
Penn State is 3-4 in conference play, but 1-3 at home. Rutgers is 2-5 in Big Ten games, but both of their wins have come on the road. A similar game plan of controlling the pace with the running game and limiting the turnovers could bode well for those bold enough to put money on Rutgers.
Rutgers has won two of the last three games outright and ATS. The Scarlet Knights are still 6-4 ATS for the season, despite their struggles against the Big Ten.
Penn State is also 6-4 ATS this season. Despite the success against the spread, the Nittany Lions have lost three of their last four games. This should be a great spot for them to right the ship, but the question is: can they cover a three-score spread?
The safer bet seems to be with the total — which is the norm for Rutgers who has seen four of their last five go under. Penn State has also gone under in eight of their 10 contests this season.
All Betting Lines are Courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook
- Money line: Penn State -1100 (bet $1100 to win $100) Rutgers +650 (bet $100 to win $650)
- Against the spread (ATS): Penn State -17.5 (-107) Rutgers +17.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -112 U: -108)
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