Maryland vs. Penn St. Prediction
Can No. 12 Penn State wrap up its regular season with a lopsided win at home when the Nittany Lions play host to Maryland this Saturday at 3:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
201 Maryland at 202 Penn State
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Noon ET – Beaver Stadium
TV: ABC
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Penn State is favored at home, as the Nittany Lions are getting odds of -13.5 points against Maryland. The over/under total for the contest is currently listed at 53.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 56 percent going on Maryland on the road.
Terps drop third straight
Maryland suffered a heart-breaking 52-51 OT loss to Ohio State last week at home, failing to convert a 2-point conversion at the end of the game. The Terps are still playing for a bowl game, as it sits at 5-6 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten. They are 6-5 against the spread and 6-5 with the over.
The Terps are now overwhelming on either side of the ball, but they have been respectable. The defense is giving up 27.8 points per game, but allowing only 374.5 yards per contest. The run defense is allowing 172.5 yards per game. Offensively, Maryland puts up 30.8 points and 381.6 yards per contest. The Terps really heavily on the run, putting up 244.4 yards per game on the ground. Injuries have beat up the offense lately. Kasim Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury at QB. Tyrrell Pigrome has replaced him and has 376 passing yards and two touchdowns. Ty Johnson has 506 rushing yards, but is questionable to play this weekend with a calf injury. Anthony McFarland is leading the offense with 1,022 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Penn State back on track?
Penn State has won two straight and four of its last five following a 20-7 win at Rutgers last week. The Nittany Lions are 8-3 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten. PSU is 6-5 against the spread and 7-4 with the over.
The Nittany Lions are pretty sound on both sides of the ball, but dominant on neither. Defensively, PSU is giving up 21.5 points and 363.6 yards per contest. Their run defense is allowing 177 yards per game. On offense, PSU is putting up 34.3 points and 411.5 yards per game, including just under 200 rushing yards per game. Trace McSorley has thrown for 2,054 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 659 yards and nine touchdowns. Miles Sanders has added 1,095 rushing yards and nine touchdowns while KJ Hamler has 38 catches for 623 yards and five touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Maryland
Maryland is 6-24 against the spread in its last 30 games following a cover and 4-12 ATS in its last 16 road games.
Penn State
Penn State is 4-1 ATS in its last five home games and 17-8-1 ATS in its last 26 conference games.
Prediction:
Maryland has a lot to play for this weekend. While the Terps can get to a bowl game with a win, I don’t see it happening. After an emotional loss as home, I think it will be tough for Maryland to get up for this road game against Penn State. The Nittany Lions still have the better offense and the better defense in this game. While Penn State didn’t pull away from Rutgers last week, it did manhandle Wisconsin in its last home game. I look for McSorley to put on a show in his final home game at Penn State.
College Football Prediction: Penn State -13.5