Penn State football: early odds for Michigan, Ohio State games announced

2022 was undoubtedly an incredible season for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Despite coming into the season with Outback Bowl-level expectations, Penn State football found a way to finish 11-2 with a few quality wins, including a 35-21 victory over No. 8 Utah in the 2023 Rose Bowl game. Now, as we turn the page to 2023, huge things are expected of the Nittany Lions this fall.

Earlier this week, early betting spreads were released for two of Penn State’s biggest games: Ohio State and Michigan. The Nittany Lions are underdogs in both games.

Penn State football an underdog to Michigan, Ohio State in early 2023 odds

According to FanDuel’s odds, Penn State football opens as an underdog to the Ohio State Buckeyes — who finished 11-2 after their CFP loss a season ago — and the Michigan Wolverines, who have now won back-to-back Big Ten titles.

Here are the odds for Penn State’s matchups with the other two giants in the Big Ten East:

• Ohio State (away) — +8.5
• Michigan (home) — +1.5

Penn State has struggled but could change narratives in 2023

Over the years, Penn State football has unquestionably had its struggles against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Under James Franklin, the Nittany Lions are 1-8 against Ohio State — the one win came at home in the 2016 White Out game. Since that win, the Nittany Lions have lost six straight, including a 13-point home loss to the Buckeyes last season. This year, Penn State will look to turn the tide of the rivalry when the Nittany Lions head to Columbus on October 21st.

Penn State’s matchups with Michigan have been closer, though the Nittany Lions have still not done too well against the Wolverines under James Franklin. Throughout Franklin’s nine years as head coach in Happy Valley, Penn State has three wins over Michigan — two if we’re excluding the COVID-19 year as many do. Last season, despite coming into the game 5-0 and ranked No. 10, Penn State football was utterly embarrassed in Ann Arbor — the Wolverines left with a 41-17 victory over the Nittany Lions. The good news for PSU this year is that they’ll get Michigan football in Beaver Stadium, where Jim Harbaugh has historically struggled.

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