Northwestern vs. Penn State Prediction
Big Ten rivals meet at Beaver Stadium on Saturday afternoon when No. 11 Penn State hosts Northwestern at 3:30 p.m. ET. Will the Nittany Lions cover as a 25.5-point home favorite or is that too big a number?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
117 Northwestern Wildcats (+25.5) at 118 Penn State Nittany Lions (-25.5); o/u 50.5
3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, October 1, 2022
Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
Northwestern vs. Penn State Public Betting Information
As of this writing, our CFB Public Betting page shows that 51% of bets are on Penn State. That said, this page is updated frequently so make sure that you click on the link provided so that you’re getting the most updated information.
Northwestern Wildcats Game Notes
Ryan Hilinski completed 24 of his 42 passes for 232 yards while adding a one-yard rushing score during Saturday’s 17-14 loss to Miami of Ohio. Hilinski finished with a season-low 57.1 completion percentage after starting 12-of-14 passing during the Wildcats’ home loss to the Redhawks. The junior transfer also failed to connect on a passing touchdown for the first time this year, though he did sneak in a one-yard rushing score in the first quarter. Hilinski also averaged 5.5 yards per attempt Saturday, and he will next face two of the toughest passing defenses on Northwestern’s schedule with Penn State and Wisconsin in Weeks 5 and 6, respectively.
Penn State Nittany Lions Game Notes
Sean Clifford completed 22 of his 34 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns during Saturday’s 33-14 win against Central Michigan. He also added 23 yards and one touchdown on five carries. Clifford registered season-highs in passes and rushing yards during Saturday’s win over the outmatched Chippewas. The graduate senior also notched his fourth straight game with a rushing score, as he burrowed into the endzone for a one-yard quarterback sneak early in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s blowout win. Clifford’s ability to scramble in scoring and short-yardage situations should add to his overall production during Penn State’s conference schedule this season.
Northwestern vs. Penn State Betting Trends
Wildcats are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 meetings
Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings
Favorite is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings
Northwestern vs. Penn State Betting Prediction
The Wildcats are winless against the spread in their last five road games, are 1-6 against the number in their last seven games overall and are 1-6 at the betting window in their last seven games when facing an opponent with a winning record. The Nittany Lions, meanwhile, have covered in 10 of their last 14 conference games and are 36-14-1 against the spread in their last 51 games coming off a win.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 5 PREDICTION: PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS -25.5