Penn State vs. Illinois Total Pick
Can No. 10 Penn State put up a big total when it has a shortened week and a road trip as it faces Illinois on Friday at 9PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
307 Penn State at 308 Illinois
Friday, September 21, 2018
9PM ET – Memorial Stadium
TV: FS1
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Penn State is the clear favorite on the road, as the Nittany Lions are getting odds of -28 points against Illinois. The over/under total for the game is listed at 60.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 55 percent backing 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.
Penn State rolling along
After a scare in the season opener against Appalachian State, Penn State has defeated Pitt and Kent State by a combined score of 114-16 the last two weeks. The Nittany Lions are 2-1 against the spread this year while hitting the over in all three games. They have hit the over in their last six games as a program.
Penn State has been unstoppable on offense this year, averaging 53 points and 489 yards per game. Trace McSorley has thrown for 603 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 143 yards and six scores. Miles Sanders has added 295 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Penn State is giving up just 18 points and 324 yards per game. Their pass defense is giving up just 175 yards per contest.
Illinois takes first loss
Illinois has had three games at home and the Illini started with two wins, but are coming off a 25-19 loss to South Florida last weekend. Illinois is 2-1 against the spread, covering in its lone game as an underdog. They have hit the under in all three games this season thus far.
Illinois has struggled on defense in terms of yards. While giving up just 21 points per contest, the Illini are allowing 480 yards per game. That includes 325.3 passing yards per game. On offense, Illinois is putting up 28 points and 408.3 yards per contest. Quarterback AJ Bush has thrown for 223 yards but is dealing with a hamstring injury and is questionable for Friday. M.J. Rivers II has thrown for 273 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Epstein and Reggie Corbin have combine for 491 rushing yards and five touchdowns while Bush has 142 rushing yards.
College Football Betting Trends
Penn State
Penn State has hit the over in its last four road games and in seven straight games following a win.
Illinois
Illinois has hit the under in its last four games in September and in 20 of their last 27 home games.
Prediction:
Penn State didn’t have a problem scoring at Pitt a couple of weeks ago and I don’t think the Nittany Lions will have any issues scoring on Illinois. They should continue to put up close to 50 points in this game as well. From there, I can see Illinois doing enough to chip in for an over. The Illini have a pretty strong rushing attack that could move the ball on Penn State here and there.
College Football Prediction: Penn State/Illinois Over 60.5