Indiana-Penn State odds: Nittany Lions face tough test at home

Previewing Saturday’s Indiana-Penn State college football matchup, with college football betting odds, picks and best bets

[jwplayer 64hUO9C8]

The Indiana Hoosiers (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten) and Penn State Nittany Lions (8-1, 5-1) will do battle in Happy Valley on Saturday at noon ET, with the Lions looking to bounce back after a narrow loss at Minnesota last weekend and the Hoosiers going for their first 8-win season since 1993.

We analyze the Indiana-Penn State odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Indiana at Penn State: Three things you need to know

1. Indiana has quietly rolled up seven victories, with their two losses a 51-10 setback to Ohio State on Sept. 14 and a 40-31 loss at Michigan State on Sept. 28. The Hoosiers have won four in a row and are 5-1 against the spread in their last six.

2. Hoosiers RB Stevie Scott III is one of the most underrated runners in the Big Ten, racking up 737 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns. Penn State WR KJ Hamler of Penn State has 739 receiving yards and eight scores to lead the Lions.

3. Penn State ranks 13th in the country at 300.0 yards per game allowed, with its rushing defense (74.2 yards per game) ranking third. And the Lions’ scoring defense (12.0 points per game) is fifth in the nation.


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


Indiana at Penn State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Penn State 31, Indiana 24

Moneyline (ML)

Penn State (-834) is going to bounce back and return to the win column. However, it won’t be a rout, and the Nittany Lions are certainly not worth putting up more than eight times the return. If anything, Indiana (+440) would be worth a small-unit bet to more than quadruple your lettuce.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Penn State to win would return a profit of $1.20.

Against the Spread (ATS)

INDIANA (+14.5, -115) is a sharp play catching more than two touchdowns in this one. If you were to tease it up and combine it with a handful of other games, even better. It will be interesting to see how Penn State (-14.5, -106) rebounds. Its defense was bludgeoned by a team which wasn’t getting very much respect in Minnesota. Now against the Hoosiers, that sounds all too familiar.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total (54.5) is going to be super close. Avoid playing the O/U in this one, as Vegas has this right and the game will come in right around the projected total.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1623]

Indiana vs. Penn State Fearless Prediction, Game Preview

Indiana vs. Penn State fearless prediction and game preview.

[jwplayer PkCtjTd4-boEY74VG]


Indiana vs. Penn State fearless prediction and game preview.


Indiana vs. Penn State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 16
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
Network: ABC

All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Indiana (7-2) vs. Penn State (8-1) Game Preview

If want in on this week’s games, sign up with BetMGM


Why Indiana Will Win

Indiana has the offense to not only keep up with the Penn State offense, but to all but duplicate what Minnesota was able to do.

It’ll be asking too much for IU QB Peyton Ramsey to complete 18-of-20 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns like Tanner Morgan did last weekend in Minneapolis, but … it’s actually not. Ramsey is hitting 72% of his throws and averaging over eight yards per attempt.

The Hoosiers won’t be afraid to take their shots down the field and take a few chances – when they have to.

The offense is fantastic at controlling the clock, the offensive line has held up well against the better pass rushes, and the defense has quietly been doing its part allowing 310 yards per game.

As good and as effective as Penn State might be, its offense isn’t built to go off and put 45 on the board. This should stay in range all game long for IU to have a shot deep into the second half.

“Go to the bank!” Today’s top pick of the day just released

Why Penn State Will Win

The running game is a big part of what makes Indiana go.

It’s not Wisconsin when it comes to pounding away, but it’s just effective enough to make defenses worry a wee bit, running for eight touchdowns over its last three games.

Of course, there were plenty of issues and problems against Ohio State besides just the lack of a ground game, but so far IU is 7-0 when running for 100 yards or more, and 0-2 – Michigan State being the other loss – when it doesn’t.

Penn State has allowed 100 rushing yards or more just three times and it’s giving up a mere two yards per carry.

On the other side, QB Sean Clifford has to build on his big-yard day against Minnesota – throwing for 340 yards as he did a wonderful job of keeping things moving – but after throwing three picks all year, he gave up three including the game-sealer. The Indiana secondary is solid, but it’s only been able to come up with three interceptions on the season and just one in the last five games.

[lawrence-related id=498866]

What’s Going To Happen

Indiana is going to provide a whole lot more of a fight than Penn State might like.

The Hoosiers will move the ball well, but they’ll struggle to close off drives with points. The running game won’t work, there will be a few red zone misfires, and the Nittany Lions will be able to pull away after after the offense hits two second half home runs to get past the doldrums from Minneapolis.

Want a 2nd opinion on who to bet in the Indiana vs Penn State game? Click here to get WinnersAndWhiners.com’s predictions on the side, total, first half, and exotic bets! All Free!


Indiana vs. Penn State Prediction, Line

Penn State 34, Indiana 17
Bet on IU vs. PSU with BetMGM, or for latest line 
Penn State -14.5, o/u: 54.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Get Tickets For This Game

Must See Rating: 3

5: The Mandalorian (if it came out in 1984)
1: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

CFN Podcast: Who’s No. 4 in the CFP?
Bowl Projections | CFN Rankings
Predicting The Rest of the Season
Week 12 Expert Picks

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]