Penn State vs. Rutgers Predicton
Is No. 14 Penn State being asked to cover too many points this afternoon when it goes on the road to face Rutgers in Big Ten play at Noon ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
333 Penn State at 334 Rutgers
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Noon ET – HighPoint.com Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
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 50.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 72 percent going Penn State on the road.
Rutgers in a freefall
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 managed to cover in three straight 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.
Penn State tops Wisconsin
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 covered in two of their last three 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.
College Football Betting Trends
Rutgers
Rutgers is just 7-20 against the spread in their last 27 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game.
Penn State
Penn State is 17-7-1 against the spread in their last 25 Big Ten games and 9-4 ATS in their last 13 road games.
Prediction:
Rutgers is pretty bad, but the Knights have managed to make their recent games relatively competitive, or at least covered. That includes games against Wisconsin and Northwestern. At home, the Knights have been respectable in the Big Ten, going 3-1 against the spread. Despite last week’s win, Penn State hasn’t really pulled away from anyone. They only beat Indian by five on the road and beat Iowa by just six at home. I don’t expect the Nittany Lions to magically look dominant again after nearly two months of mediocre play.
College Football Prediction: Rutgers +28
Related: Penn State vs. Rutgers Total Prediction