Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Preview
Where: High Point Solutions Stadium— Piscataway, NJ
When: Saturday, November 19, 2016, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Penn State Nittany Lions (-28) vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (+28); total: 57.5 – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
TV Broadcast: Big Ten Network
Writer’s Pick: Penn State Nittany Lions (-28)
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Betting on the Penn State Nittany Lions (-28)
An entry to the Big Ten title game is more than a possibility for No. 8 Penn State. But the team doesn’t have complete control of its fate, as it needs to win its final two games and a loss by Michigan in order to do so.
Well, the Nittany Lions are in good shape to close out the season unblemished. This weekend’s primetime showdown with Rutgers, one of the conference’s worst teams, is a very favorable game to say the least.
Penn State’s one-two punch in QB Trace McSorley and RB Saquon Barkley should easily power through a Scarlet Knights defense that ranks 124th in the stopping the run (262.6 YPG) and 101st in total defense (465.8 YPG)
Other than leading the FBS in yards per completion (15.4), McSorley also knows how to maximize his legs, managing to collect a rushing and passing touchdown in five of the last six games. Barkley, meanwhile, boasts a conference-best 1,119 yards rushing along with 13 TDs. He was, however, held to a season-low 58 yards on 33 carries in last week’s hard-fought win over the Hoosiers.
Penn State has won its last six games, going 5-0-1 against the spread.
Betting on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (+28)
Life’s been really tough for Rutgers, which has dropped its last seven games, including three shutout losses to Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State.
That losing stretch had some positive moments at least, particularly the valiant and unsuccessful comeback attempts against Minnesota and Indiana. But there’s nothing else to be optimistic about Chris Ash’s boys aside from those.
This team’s defense has been the epitome of its struggles and lack of competitiveness this season. The thought of an upset over the Nittany Lions is a very, very long shot, but preventing Penn State from covering the +28 spread is not out of reach. The Scarlet Knights should be able to retaliate early on at home, where all of their wins (2) this season have come from.
Rutgers is 3-2 ATS in its last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Penn State (-28) wins, 40-10.
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