Indiana vs. Penn State Total Pick
After a close call last weekend, will No. 4 Penn State bounce back with a big offensive showing against Indiana this Saturday at 3:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Penn State is the clear favorite on Saturday, as the Nittany Lions are getting odds of -17.5 points against the Hoosiers. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 67.5 points. Penn State has won three straight in this series and the two have hit the under in two of their last three meetings. Saturday’s game takes place from Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. The game will air live on the Big Ten Network.
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Indiana is 2-1 this season, but the Hoosiers have won their last two since a loss to Ohio State in the opener. The Hoosiers are also 2-1 with the over, hitting the under in their lone road game. Indiana is putting up 35.7 points and 404 yards per game this season. Richard Lagow has thrown for 564 yards and four touchdowns, but he is dealing with a leg injury and is questionable to play on Saturday. Peyton Ramsey has 238 passing yards with three touchdowns while also rushing for 64 yards and a score. Morgan Ellison is the leading rusher with 257 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Indiana is allowing 27.7 points and 428.3 yards per game. The Hoosiers have struggled to stop the run, allowing 196.3 yards per game on the ground.
Penn State is 4-0 on the season and 1-0 in the Big Ten following a 21-19 win at Iowa last week. The Nittany Lions have hit the under in three of their four games. Penn State has been great on both sides of the ball this season. The defense is allowing just 8.3 points and 273.5 yards per game. Their pass defense is allowing only 158.5 yards per contest. Offensively, PSU is putting up 40.5 points and 496.5 yards per game. Saquon Barkley has run for 518 yards and four touchdowns to lead the team while also catching 23 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns. Trace McSorley has thrown for 1,037 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 198 yards and two scores.
I see Indiana struggling to move the ball on the road this week. While Penn State can put up a high number, I think the Hoosiers will not. Penn State has hit the under in 25 of its last 36 games in September while Indiana has hit it in six of its last seven road games. Indiana may not be at full strength offensively, which isn’t going to bode well against this impressive Nittany Lions’ defense.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: INDIANA/PENN STATE UNDER 67.5