[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) visit the Illinois Fighting Illini (1-1, 0-0) in a Big Ten matchup Saturday. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., is set for noon ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Penn State vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Nittany Lions won 63-7 vs. Delaware last Saturday as they covered as 44-point favorites. QB Drew Allar continued his strong start to the season, completing 85% (22-of-26) of his passes for 204 yards and 1 TD before the starters were pulled. The defense and run game also impressed in the win as LB Dominici DeLuca returned an interception for a 26-yard touchdown and the Nittany Lions rumbled for 315 yards and 6 TDs on the ground.
The Fighting Illini are coming off a 34-23 loss vs. the Kansas Jayhawks last Saturday, failing to cover as 3.5-point underdogs. QB Luke Altmyer seemed to be the entire Illini offense in that loss as he completed 68% (19-of-28) of his passes for 202 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs and led the rushing attack with 70 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 13 carries.
Penn State is No. 7 in the US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Penn State at Illinois odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:28 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Penn State -600 (bet $600 to win $100) | Illinois +425 (bet $100 to win $425)
- Against the spread (ATS): Penn State -14.5 (-110) | Illinois +14.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 48.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Penn State at Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Penn State 35, Illinois 17
Moneyline
PASS.
Penn State should come away with the win, but as a (-600) favorite the moneyline is not worth the risk. Bet on the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
LEAN PENN STATE -14.5 (-110).
Penn State is clearly the more complete and talented team in this matchup, but they have struggled in recent meetings against Illinois on the road. The Nittany Lions are only 9-4 all-time in Champaign but just 3-2 in their last 5 there. Don’t be shocked if Illinois gives this Penn State team a battle, but I still lean towards Penn State to cover as this may be the most complete Penn State team in years.
Over/Under
BET OVER 48.5 (-110).
This Fighting Illini allowed 34 points, 277 passing yards and 262 rushing yards last week vs. Kansas, so the Nittany Lions should have their way. Illinois will not be able to stop the RB duo of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen from getting this Penn State offense going and even if it has an answer for the ground game, it’ll still have to worry about Allar who’s been a pinpoint passer so far this season.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @payton_shanks on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]