Penn State vs. Rutgers Total Pick
The total is being set low for when Rutgers plays host to No. 14 Penn State on Saturday at Noon ET. Here’s our breakdown of the total for this contest.
Game Snapshot & Odds
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Noon ET – HighPoint.com Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Penn State is the clear favorite in this game, as the Nittany Lions are getting odds of -28 points against Rutgers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 49.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 70 percent going 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 bounces back
The Penn State football team suffered a 42-7 loss at Michigan two weeks ago, but the Nittany Lions bounced back last week with a 22-10 win over Wisconsin. They have won three of their last four to move to 7-3 overall, 4-3 in the Big Ten, 6-4 against the spread and 7-3 with the over. They have hit the over in three of their last four games.
Penn State has moved the ball pretty well this year, putting up 35.7 points and 420.5 yards per contest. Trace McSorley has been dealing with a knee injury, but still has thrown for 1,871 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 620 yards and nine scores. Miles Sanders has thrown for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns while KJ Hamler has caught 33 passes for 552 yards and five scores. Defensively, Penn State is holding opponents to 23.0 points and 376.6 yards per game. Their run defense has struggled somewhat, allowing 175.9 yards per contest.
Rutgers continues skid
Rutgers had another lopsided loss last week, falling at home to Michigan, 42-7. The Knights have lost nine straight games to fall to 1-9 on the season and 0-7 in the Big Ten. Rutgers is 5-5 against the spread and 6-4 with the under. The Knights have hit the under in three of their last four games.
The Knights are an absolute disaster on offense, averaging 14.5 points and 274.4 yards per game. Their passing offense is only putting up 143.1 yards per game. Artur Sitkowski has thrown for 1,140 yards and four touchdowns with 16 interceptions. Raheem Blackshear is the leading rusher with 478 yards and two touchdowns. He also is the leading receiver with 40 catches for 332 yards and two more scores. Defensively, Rutgers is giving up 34.3 points and 418.6 yards per game. Their run defense is giving up 230.2 yards per contest.
College Football Betting Trends
Penn State
Penn State has hit the over in seven straight road games and in 10 of their last 13 overall.
Rutgers
Rutgers is 5-2 with the under in their last seven conference games and 13-3 with the under in their last 16 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous games.
Prediction:
Penn State should be able to put up some numbers against a poor Rutgers defense this week. The Knights have struggled to stop the run and that is something the Nittany Lions do quite well. Rutgers obviously can’t score much, but they are still good for a touchdown or two. That leaves it up to Penn State to push near 40 points in this game. That I am not sure they can do, especially on the road. Penn State had 35 against Rutgers last year with a better offense and 39 points two years ago at Rutgers in a shutout win. These two have hit the under in all four Big Ten meetings and I think they will again.
College Football Prediction: Penn State/Rutgers Under 49.5