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The No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) take a trip to Happy Valley to play the No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0, 1-0) Saturday in this year’s White Out Game. Kickoff from Beaver Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Iowa vs. Penn State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Iowa is undefeated, but only 1 of their wins was convincing. The Hawkeyes struggled in wins vs. Utah State (24-14) and Iowa State (20-13). Last week they blew out the Western Michigan Broncos 41-10 as 28.5-point home favorites. QB Cade McNamara has looked shaky thus far, completing 38 of his 71 passes (54%) for 417 yards, 4 TDs, and 3 INTs.
The Nittany Lions have cruised to 3 pretty convincing wins, but their offense looked shaky despite covering as 13-point favorite in last week’s 30-13 win vs. the Illinois Fighting Illini. QB Drew Allar had the worst start of his young career, completing 16 of 33 passes for 208 yards. The Penn State defense has been dominant (11.7 points per game) and I expect that to continue when backed by the White Out crowd vs. Iowa.
Iowa is No. 22 and Penn State is No. 7 in the US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
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Iowa at Penn State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:42 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Iowa +450 (bet $100 to win $450) | Penn State -650 (bet $650 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Iowa +14.5 (-110) | Penn State -14.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 40 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Iowa at Penn State picks and predictions
Prediction
Penn State 32, Iowa 14
Moneyline
PASS.
The Nittany Lions are on a 3-game win streak in White Out Games, and I expect that streak to continue. But as a -650 favorite the line is not worth the juice. Bet on the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
LEAN PENN STATE -14.5 (-110).
I like the Nittany Lions to cover here as the deafening noise from the White Out crowd will make life very difficult on McNamara and the Iowa offense. Penn State’s defense has been stellar, having allowed 35 total points and no more than 15 points in any game, and I expect the Nittany Lions D to force turnovers that will help the offense generate points. Iowa has won the last 2 meetings with Penn State, but I expect that streak to come to end here.
Over/Under
BET OVER 40 (-110).
The Over number of 40 has been hit in 6 of the last 7 meetings between the Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions, and that should continue here. The Hawkeyes have struggled on offense, but Penn State should be able to carry this game to the Over. The Nittany Lions’ lowest scoring this season was 30 points, which makes me feel confident in their ability to put up points even if the offense isn’t firing on all cylinders.
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