Number 6 Penn State heads to Evanston to take on unranked Northwestern at 12:00 PM ET on Saturday on Big Ten Network. Can the Nittany Lions cover the 26.5-point spread as road favorites this weekend? Our Penn State vs. Northwestern Betting Prediction will tell you. Read on..
Penn State is 4-0 straight up this season and 4-0 against the spread. Their best win came against Iowa last weekend.
Northwestern is 2-2 straight up this season and 2-2 against the spread. Their best win came against Minnesota, and their worst loss came against Rutgers in Week 1.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
121 Penn State Nittany Lions (-26.5) at 122 Northwestern Wildcats (+26.5); O/U 46
12:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 30, 2023
Ryan Field, Evanston, IL
Penn State vs. Northwestern Public Betting Information
As of this writing, the public is favoring the Nittany Lions in this game. Our CFB Public Betting page shows that 59% of public bets are on Penn State -26.5. Note that these numbers are subject to change and could be different once game time rolls around.
Penn State Nittany Lions Game Notes
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar was efficient in his team’s 31-0 win over Iowa last weekend. In that game, the Medina, Ohio native threw for 166 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Allar connected with three different receivers for scores, and recorded a stellar QBR of 84.8 in that contest.
Nittany Lions defensive end Chop Robinson was the team’s defensive star last Saturday. In the Iowa game, Robinson recorded 2 total tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Robinson’s pass-rushing expertise was a big reason why Iowa couldn’t put any points on the board against Penn State last weekend.
Northwestern Wildcats Game Notes
Northwestern could be short on tight ends this week. Starting Wildcats tight end Marshall Lang left his team’s last game with a lower-body injury, and he’s officially listed as questionable for Saturday’s tilt with Penn State. Lang has 3 catches for 32 yards in 3 games of action for the Wildcats this season.
Northwestern reserve tight ends Chris Petrucci and Blake Van Buren are both questionable for Saturday’s game with undisclosed injuries. Should the three tight ends mentioned above be forced to sit out, the Wildcats will likely look to Charles Mangieri and Thomas Gordon, who have combined for 10 catches for 96 yards this year.
Penn State vs. Northwestern Betting Trends
Northwestern is 3-1 ATS in their last 4 games against Penn State.
The over is 6-4 in Penn State’s last 10 games.
The over is 6-4 in Northwestern’s last 10 games.
Northwestern is 5-3 ATS in their last 8 games as a home underdog.
Penn State vs. Northwestern Betting Prediction
These two teams played each other last season, and Penn State only won 17-7 in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions were favored by 25.5 points in that game. Sound familiar? They’re laying 26.5 points this weekend. I could see Penn State rolling into Evanston and just doing enough to win. They play Ohio State in three weeks, and they may not want to put certain plays on tape for the Buckeyes to study ahead of their matchup.
Northwestern, to their credit, is coming off of a good win at home versus Minnesota last weekend. The Wildcats topped the Gophers 37-34 in overtime and Northwestern QB Ben Bryant threw for 396 yards and 4 touchdowns on the way to a win. Bryant is a transfer from Cincinnati and he can play. He should keep the Wildcats from getting blown out in this one. Northwestern is 2-2 straight up this season with their worst loss coming by 24 points against Duke. I believe the Wildcats can keep it within 26 points against a good but possibly overrated Penn State team on Saturday.