Penn State football opens as two-score favorite over Maryland

Penn State football had been a spread-covering machine through the start of 2023. That is, until the Nittany Lions ran into Ohio State. An outright loss handed Penn State its first failed cover of the season. Returning home as massive favorites against two-win Indiana, the Nittany Lions struggled last week, getting the 33-24 victory, but failing to cover the 31-point spread. Heading into Saturday, Penn State again opens as a double-digit favorite against the Maryland Terrapins. Will James Franklin and company be able to get a decisive win on the road and get back on track covering spreads?

Penn State football opens as double-digit favorite at Maryland

Penn State football has a tough road test on Saturday against Maryland. The Terrapins experienced early success this season, starting 5-0 before dropping the last three games. While it has had back-to-back ugly losses against Illinois and Northwestern, Maryland did hang in the game with Ohio State in Columbus at the start of October.

The Terrapins are of course led by veteran quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, brother of the Miami Dolphins’ star QB. Tagovalioa has led Maryland to a top-30 passing offense in the country, good for second in the Big Ten this season. Even on a losing streak, the Terrapins are a good team, one that the Nittany Lions cannot take lightly.

According to Action Network, Penn State football opened as a 12-point favorite in this game following Saturday’s win over Indiana. Since then, the line has moved down to 10 points.

Penn State football is 38-3-1 against Maryland since 1943, including an 18-1-1 record on the road. The Nittany Lions’ last loss to the Terrapins was in 2020 at home. 

While currently a double-digit favorite, the Nittany Lions cannot afford a loss to the Terrapins. Penn State football is fighting to prove that it still belongs in the College Football Playoff discussion ahead of a top-10 matchup with Michigan next week.

The Nittany Lions have been a cover machine this season

Penn State’s consistency in covering the spread this season has been impressive. Despite some late scores to cover (e.g. Northwestern), the Nittany Lions have covered relatively easily. That was until two weeks ago. 

Ohio State was around a 4-point favorite over Penn State. The Buckeyes covered with a 20-12 win in Columbus. The Nittany Lions returned home as almost a five-score favorite against the Indiana Hoosiers. A sluggish outing allowed the Hoosiers to stay in the game. It took a late Drew Allar touchdown pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith to get Penn State football over the top, only winning by nine points at home.

Saturday’s game against Maryland will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. on FOX.

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