Penn State early favorite in first Big Ten road test of the season

On Saturday, the Penn State football team will face a new Big Ten team for the first time in 2024. But after UCLA comes to town, the Nittany Lions will get the opportunity to go across the country to face USC in what could be a top-ten showdown. While that matchup is over a week away, the opening line has been released that favors Penn State on the road.

Betting odds for each week are always interesting to follow. The classic Vegas always knows is at play. But in what could be the first true test for Penn State football, the oddsmakers believe that the Nittany Lions are the favorite in this matchup early on.

On Friday, DraftKings Sportsbook released the initial odds for USC versus Penn State which will be played on October 12. Where the Nittany Lions open as a three-point favorite. While Penn State will likely be the higher-ranked team, it is surprising that this game isn’t more of a one-point line due to the talent on both sides. The line will move over the week but early on the oddsmakers believe in Penn State.

Does ESPN believe Penn State will be USC?

Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Not everyone has the same thoughts about the outcomes of this game. According to the ESPN FPI, USC has a 53.2% chance to beat Penn State next weekend. FPI measures a team’s strength based on a net point scale of expected points margin versus an average opponent on a neutral field.

Many of the Nittany Lion faithful remember the last matchup between USC and Penn State in 2017 in the Rose Bowl. An all-time classic that led to a 52-49 win for the Trojans.

Now, almost a decade later Penn State will have a chance at revenge in the first meeting of the two teams as members of the Big Ten. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 pm ET on CBS on October 12 in what should be a great matchup.

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