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The West Virginia Mountaineers take a trip to Happy Valley to visit the Penn State Nittany Lions Saturday. Kickoff from Beaver Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the West Virginia vs. Penn State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Both teams enter this game with a lot of roster changes, particularly at the QB position, and neither team has publicly announced a starter. Former 5-star recruit sophomore QB Drew Allar is expected to be the starter for Penn State and junior Garrett Greene is projected to start for the Mountaineers.
Greene has seen limited playing time in his college career, but his best game came last season when leading his team to a 23-20 win vs. Oklahoma. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 138 yards and 1 TD, while also running for 119 yards and 2 TDs.
The biggest threats in the Mountaineers’ passing game are NC State transfer WR Devin Carter and freshman WR Rodney Gallagher III. Carter is a senior who posted 25 receptions for 406 yards and 2 TD’s last season.
Fans will get their 1st taste of a backfield with Allar and the RB duo of sophomores Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. The Nittany Lions did suffer a big blow with starting G Landon Tengwall announcing a medical retirement. While a big loss, Penn State’s offensive line depth this year is better than in recent seasons.
Penn State is No. 7 in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.
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West Virginia 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 Friday at 9:12 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): West Virginia +800 (bet $100 to win $800) | Penn State -1400 (bet $1400 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): West Virginia +20.5 (-110) | Penn State -20.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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West Virginia at Penn State picks and predictions
Prediction
Penn State 42, West Virginia 21
Moneyline
PASS.
Penn State should win this game but a (-1400) line is not worth the juice. Bet on the spread or Over/Under instead.
Against the spread
LEAN PENN STATE -20.5 (-110).
This is a very slight lean, as a 3-TD favorite is a risk, but Penn State has all the right tools to blow out West Virginia. This bet does rely heavily on how Allar will play in his 1st start, but based on his play as a backup last year, he’ll do just fine. Penn State’s high-powered offense will be too much for the Mountaineers. The Nittany Lions’ defense will also be pivotal in this game, as they are huge up front and have stars on all 3 levels.
Over/Under
BET OVER 49.5 (-110).
This will likely be the best Penn State offense in years, and I expect Allar, Singleton, and Allen to carve up the Mountaineers’ defense. Penn State has always been very good defensively, but I do expect the Mountaineers to put up a few TDs as well. The dual-threat ability of Greene will add a facet to this WVU offense that will lead to some scores.
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