The Ohio Bobcats (1-0) will travel east to University Park, Pa., to face the Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0) with kickoff at noon ET (ABC). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Ohio vs. Penn State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Bobcats beat Florida Atlantic in a nailbiter last week 41-38. QB Kurtis Rourke passed for 345 yards and 4 touchdowns and also ran for1 TD. RB Sieh Bangura had a big start to the season with 114 yards on 14 carries.
While the offense shined, Ohio’s defense had a week to forget allowing 21 points in the 4th quarter. If the Bobcats want a chance for a major upset Saturday, they need to control the tempo on offense and step up majorly on defense to force turnovers.
The Nittany Lions barely got by Purdue last week with a 35-31 victory. QB Sean Clifford led the way with 4 touchdowns and 282 yards passing. Penn State had 3 rushers with at least 8 touches, but no RB gained more than 31 yards. This week against a MAC school, expect that to change with a battle in the trenches. Coach James Franklin will hope to get his offense clicking on all cylinders in front of their home crowd.
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Ohio at Penn State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:44 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Penn State -1000 (bet $1,000 to win $100) | Ohio +2500 (bet $100 to win $2,500)
- Against the spread (ATS): Penn State -25.5 (-115) | Ohio +25.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 54.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Ohio at Penn State picks and predictions
Prediction
Penn State 38, Ohio 17
Money line
PASS. Even though Penn State will more than likely win this game, the return is too minimal to put any sum of money on the money line.
The Nittany Lions were 6-2 as the money line favorite last season while the Bobcats were 2-6 as underdogs.
Against the spread
Roll Bobbies! I am taking OHIO +25.5 (-105). Rouke and company may not win the game, but they have a strong enough offense to hold their own, at least within 4 possessions. In just his 2nd season as the Bobcats coach, Tim Albin will have some tricks up his sleeve to put the Nittany Lions on their heels while absorbing the moment of playing a Big Ten school.
Last season, the Nittany Lions were 0-1 against the spread when favored by 24 points or more while going 7-6 overall ATS. Ohio beat the spread 5 times in 12 games.
Over/Under
I like the OVER 54.5 (-108). The Bobcats struggled on defense last week against Florida Atlantic and against a team with the recruiting power of Franklin, they will not be able to improve much. Four of 12 Bobcats games hit the over last season while Penn State hit the over in 3 of 13 games. The Nittany Lions will be strong offensively, but whether or not the over hits could depend on how many points their defense lets up late while the outcome of the game is no longer in question.
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