Penn State vs. Pittsburgh Prediction
Is No. 13 Penn State in danger of being upset when the Nittany Lions go on the road to face Pittsburgh tonight at 8PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
385 Penn State at 386 Pittsburgh
Saturday, September 8, 2018
8PM ET – Heinz Field
TV: ABC
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Penn State is favored on the road, as the Nittany Lions are getting odds of -8.5 points against Pittsburgh. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 55 points. The public betting for this game currently has 55 percent going on Penn State on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Pitt unable to cover vs. Albany
Pittsburgh got off to a nice start to the season, defeating Albany 33-7 at home last weekend. The Panthers were unable to cover the 26.5-point spread in the win and went under the 43.5-point total. Pitt is 2-2 against the spread in its last four games.
Pitt was able to control the line of scrimmage in the win over the Great Danes. The Panthers rushed for 238 yards and held Albany to just 60 on the ground. Qadree Ollison led the ground game with 73 yards on seven carries while two others rushed for over 40 yards. Kenny Pickett was one of those two, as he had 42 yards on the ground and 154 passing yards. He threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another.
Penn State survives in OT
Penn State got a big scare in its opener last week when it needed overtime to beat Appalachian State, 45-38. The Nittany Lions were a 24-point favorite coming into the game and easily went over the 54-point total. Penn State is just 2-4 against the spread in its last six games
PSU actually had to score a TD in the final minute to force OT with the Mountaineers, but then held strong in OT. Penn State finished with 434 yards of offense while allowing 451 yards to Appalachian State. Trace McSorley threw for 229 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 53 yards and two scores. Miles Sanders established himself as the new lead back, rushing for 91 yards on 19 carries.
College Football Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 1-5-1 against the spread in its last 7 against Big Ten opponents and 8-20 ATS in its last 28 home games.
Penn State
The Nittany Lions are 10-2-2 against the spread in their last 14 against a team with a winning record and 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games.
Prediction:
The home team has won the last four meetings between these two, including the two meetings over the last two years. The Nittany Lions got a scare last week, but I think it will help them this week. Their defense should be focused in against an average Pitt team. The Panthers have struggled on defense in recent years and I think Penn State can put up a lot of offense on them. I am not sure Pitt is better than App State, so I like the Nittany Lions to get the nod tonight.
College Football Prediction: Penn State -8.5
Related: Penn State vs. Pittsburgh Total Prediction