Cotton Bowl: Memphis Tigers vs Penn State Nittany Lions odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Cotton Bowl betting odds between the Memphis Tigers and the Penn State Nittany Lions, with betting picks, tips and bets.

The Memphis Tigers (12-1) will face the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2) Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, at noon ET (on ESPN). We analyze the Memphis-Penn State odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Memphis vs. Penn State: Three things you need to know

1. The UNDER has hit in seven of the last 10 games for Penn State.

2. Penn State allowed the seventh-fewest points this season, giving up just over 14 points per game.

3. The OVER has hit in 10 of the last 12 games where Memphis was considered the “underdog.”

Memphis vs. Penn State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:50 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Memphis 35, Penn State 31

Moneyline (ML)

American Athletic Conference champion MEMPHIS (+200) is the play here. Penn State (-250) was surprisingly good this season, but it doesn’t have many quality wins on the schedule. And while you can make the case the Tigers don’t either, their moneyline odds are much more enticing. I’m counting on Memphis to find ways to create chunk plays against Penn State’s defense.

New to sports betting? Every $1 wagered on the Memphis ML will profit $2 if it wins.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Penn State (-7.5, +105) is favored by more than a touchdown despite going just 6-6 ATS this season. Making matters worse, Penn State has covered just twice in its past six games, and Memphis appears to be a team that could give the Nittany Lions fits on defense. I like MEMPHIS (+7.5, -129) to cover.

Over/Under (O/U)

The O/U is 60.5 (Over -106, Under -115), which feels just about right given how well each offense has played this season. It’s worth noting that the Over has hit in seven of the previous 10 games for Memphis as it can put up points with the best of them. I like the OVER 60.5 (-106) to hit in this one.

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 @Marcus_Mosher and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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