Tag: Devon Modster

What QBs in the transfer portal could be Penn State targets?

James Franklin says Penn State will only add a quarterback from the transfer portal if the right fit is available. So what’s available now?

Penn State has been active in the transfer portal this offseason. But if things do not develop as James Franklin hopes, it is possible Penn State could still target at least one more player out of the transfer portal to fill the depth at various positions, including at the quarterback position.

Franklin made it known what his preference is for the quarterback position on the roster at the beginning of the spring. While Franklin would consider moving forward with three scholarship players, he would really like to move into the fall with four or five. Sean Clifford is entrenched as the team’s starting quarterback after two years as the team’s starter, but the experience behind him is raw. With the transfers of Will Levis and Michael Johnson Jr., Penn State has just Taquan Roberson and true freshman Christian Veilleux currently on scholarship.

Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast: James Franklin’s spring expectations at QB

This makes the transfer portal all the more intriguing for Penn State if the need for another quarterback is pressing at the end of the spring. But Franklin made note that his program won’t add a quarterback out of the transfer portal just for the sake of numbers. Whatever quarterback is potentially pulled from the portal ahs to be the right fit for the Nittany Lions.

What qualifies as the right fit may be open to some interpretation, but this much we know. Penn State has hired Mike Yurich as the new offensive coordinator, and his offenses have tended to operate with quarterbacks lining up under center far more often than Penn State fans have grown accustomed to seeing in recent years. One of Penn State’s first recruiting victories since the hiring of Yurcich was the commitment of pro-style quarterback Drew Allar, suggesting Penn State is ready to move with a player more prone to a pro-style offense.

So, with all of that in mind, what are some potential options still lurking in the transfer portal? There are some interesting names to potentially keep an eye on, just in case. Here’s a look at who is still currently available.

Note: Source for updated transfer portal data comes from 247 Sports, as of March 28, 2021.

California at Stanford odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s California Golden Bears at Stanford Cardinal sports betting odds and lines, with college football picks and best bets.

The California Golden Bears (5-5, 2-5, Pac-12 North) and Stanford Cardinal (4-6, 3-5) battle in the ‘Big Game.’ Each side can either knock the other from bowl contention or seriously hamper their rival’s efforts. We analyze the California-Stanford odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

California at Stanford: Three things you need to know

1. Cal RB Christopher Brown Jr., the team’s leader on the ground, is questionable due to a head injury. He joins starting QB Chase Garbers (shoulder) on the injury report. The starter was knocked from last week’s game after aggravating his shoulder injury. If Garbers cannot go, QB Devon Modster will take back over.

2. Whomever starts for Cal will see a banged-up secondary for the Cardinal. CBs Treyjohn Butler (undisclosed) and Obi Eboh (undisclosed) are questionable, while CB Paulson Adebo (undisclosed) and S Malik Antoine (undisclosed) are out.

3. Even with a healthy secondary, Stanford’s Achilles’ heel has been its pass coverage, as the Cardinal are 119th in the nation with 281.4 passing yards allowed.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

California at Stanford: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

California 34, Stanford 23

Moneyline (ML)

CALIFORNIA (+105) is worth a look as a small road underdog. With or without Brown and/or Garbers, the Golden Bears showed their depth last week with RB DeShawn Collins stepping in for a career-high 103 rushing yards. Modster has plenty of experience running the offense, too, and he might be effective with Stanford (-129) so banged up defensively.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on California to win would return a profit of $10.50.

Against the Spread (ATS)

CALIFORNIA (+2.5, -115) is a decent play if you feel the game will be decided by less than two points. Hey, it worked for me in the NC State-Georgia Tech game Thursday night, as I cashed with the Wolfpack (+2.5) whereas I would’ve lost on the moneyline. That’s a rarity, though. If you’re feeling the Bears, the better value is the ML.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER (39.5, -110) is the play. Sure, it’s a rivalry game, and there will be a lot of hitting early on, but I am not sure Stanford has the horses to keep Cal from moving all over the field. The defense hasn’t been great even when healthy. It won’t take much to hit the Over in this one, and it has cashed three of the past four for the Cardinal, and nine of the past 13 inside the conference. For Cal, it’s a 2-0 over run after a spate of Unders in October.

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