The Penn State Nittany Lions (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) visit the Rutgers Scarlett Knights (4-6, 1-6) Saturday. Kickoff from SHI Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Penn State vs. Rutgers odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Penn State is No. 12 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports, while it is No. 11 in the College Football Playoff Rankings.
The Nittany Lions come into this Big Ten matchup on a 2-game win streak. Their most recent victory was a 30-0 shutout of visiting Maryland last Saturday. Both the running game and passing game produced for the offense, with RB Nick Singleton rushing for 122 yards and 2 TDs, while QB Sean Clifford threw for 139 yards and 1 TD as the Nittany Lions easily covered as 11-point favorites. The defense also shined, holding a competent Maryland offense to 134 total yards (74 passing, 60 on the ground) in recording the shutout.
The Scarlett Knights are on a 3-game slide, most recently losing 27-21 as 10-point road underdogs last week to an underwhelming Michigan State team. Looking at all of the major stats, the game was just as close as the 1- possession score suggests. Neither team committed a turnover, both teams had the same amount of first downs (25) and both teams had around the same amount of yards (Rutgers’ 460 to Michigan State’s 453).
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Penn State at Rutgers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:14 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Penn State -1400 (bet $1400 to win $100) | Rutgers +750 (bet $100 to win $750)
- Against the spread (ATS): Penn State -19.5 (-111) | Rutgers +19.5 (-109)
- Over/Under (O/U): 44.5 (O: -113 | U: -107)
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Penn State at Rutgers picks and predictions
Prediction
Penn State 51, Rutgers 10
Moneyline
AVOID.
The Nittany Lions should beat Rutgers with just as much ease as they had in their previous 2 games. PSU has won the last 15 head-to-head games against Rutgers, dating back to 1989, and lead the all-time series 30-2.
Rutgers won’t snap the 15-game skid in this one. Penn State can attack in the running game, the passing game and on defense. The Scarlet Knights will simply be no match.
However, playing a -1400 favorite is not smart gambling at all.
Against the spread
BET PENN STATE -19.5 (-111).
The Nittany Lions are better so much better than the Scarlet Knights on offense and defense that you can feel confident in this bet.
The Lions need blowout wins if they wants to secure an NY6 Bowl Game, and they know it. Not only is Penn State more talented and more motivated, it is also 4-0 ATS in its last 4 conference games.
Over/Under
BET OVER 44.5 (-113).
Penn State will hit the Over by itself, scoring at least 45 points. The Over is 4-0 in the Nittany Lions’ last 4 road games.
We shouldn’t have to worry even if Rutgers fails to score. The Nittany Lions starters will build a hefty lead so they can rest by the middle of the third quarter, but expect the backups to contribute at least 1 or 2 touchdowns.
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