Penn State football: Northwestern Betting Odds, Injury Report, & Predictions

This week, the Nittany Lions travel to Evanston to take on Northwestern tomorrow at noon. The Penn State football team is the favorite when looking at the betting odds, but can it cover the line? Injuries could become a critical factor in this game as we progress into the thick of the college football season. Northwestern has been hit with multiple injuries at the tight end position. Finally, as always, we dive into the Big Ten Bet of the week.

Injury Report (Based on the previous week’s official Big Ten availability reports)

Penn State:

Alonzo Ford, DT – Out for the Season

Smith Vilbert, DE – Out for the Season

Landon Tengwall, OL – Medical Retirement

Malick Meiga, WR

Tyler Johnson, WR

David Kency Jr., RB

Amiel Davis, RB

Feyiasayo Olueye, WR

Jashaun Green, S

Mason Robinson, DE

Joey Palko, DE

Jim Fitzgerald, OL

Jan Mahlert, WR

Harrison Wallace III, WR (did play vs. Iowa)

Northwestern:

Preston Bacon, TE

Frank Covey, WR

Ray Niro, WR

Miles Crutchley, LB – Out for the Season

Chris Pertucci, TE

Jack Fitzgerald, TE

Matt Lawson, DL – Out for the Season

Betting Odds:

Spread:

Penn State football (-27) vs. Northwestern

James Franklin’s Nittany Lions enter Saturday’s matchup as a 27-point favorite. In terms of betting odds, Penn State football is 4-0 ATS this season and 10-0 in the last 10 games. Northwestern is 2-2 ATS this season and 5-5 in the previous 10 games. Penn State is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games against Northwestern.

Penn State football moneyline: -4,000

Placing a $4,000 bet on Penn State football to knock off Northwestern would pay $100. Penn State leads the all-time series 15-5. The Nittany Lions are on a 2-game winning streak dating back to 2017. The last meeting between the teams came in 2022; Penn State won 17-7 in State College.

Penn State football vs. Northwestern Over/Under: 46

The total has gone over in 2 of 4 games for Penn State to start the season, and it has gone over for 3 of Northwestern’s 4 games. The total has gone over in 6 of Penn State’s last 7 games on the road.

Penn State vs Northwestern Game Predictions: (3-2)

There are essentially two ways this game can go. Penn State football will either sleepwalk through because of the early start and last week’s big win over Iowa, or it’ll jump on Northwestern early and make the game ugly.

I tend to think the latter will happen. This game should finally be where Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen break some long touchdown runs. There has been a lot of talk in the last few weeks about a lack of explosive plays. This should be the game where Penn State gets that number back on track.

The team has already been practicing with little to no music to prepare for the quieter atmosphere, so hopefully, that helps the Nittany Lions come out fast.

The betting odds opened with Penn State as a 21.5-point favorite and has quickly moved to 27. I wouldn’t be afraid of taking anything under 28 and would probably even take Penn State up to -35. The over will partially depend on how many points Northwestern scores, like Iowa last week. However, this week, I see Penn State football being able to get into the 40s and beyond quite easily. So, I would also bet the over.

Prediction: Penn State 63 – Northwestern 7

Big Ten bet of the Week: (1-3)

Iowa (-12.5) vs Michigan State, 7:30 pm (NBC)

Last week was a dud; the Hoosiers needed to cover a 17-point spread and survived in 4 overtimes. Some people say Iowa cursed my Big Ten bet of the week after the garbage late cover against Western Michigan two weeks ago.

We return to the Hawkeyes again, but we are behind them at home against the Spartans this time. While Iowa was embarrassed last week, I expect them to bounce back this week at home at night. Kinnick Stadium at night is one of the most intimidating environments in college football, and I expect nothing different on Saturday night.

Pair that with a Michigan State team that appears to have quit on the season. The university has officially fired Mel Tucker, which means all players can enter the transfer portal and leave within 30 days with no punishment. What does that mean? It means that betting against the Spartans could be a trend for the rest of the season. Get in on it early and take the Hawkeyes minus the points.

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