Penn State at Michigan State College Football Picks & Predictions 11/4/2017

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Spartan Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The Penn State Nittany Lions head to Spartan Stadium to play the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday, November 4, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Penn State as 12 point favorites. The Nittany Lions are 6-1-1 against the spread and their over/under record is 3-5-0. The Spartans are 5-3-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 3-5-0.

Valuable Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 3-5-0 against the over/under

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 6-1-1 against the spread

Important Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 3-5-0 against the over/under

The Michigan State Spartans are 5-3-0 against the spread

Key Penn State Nittany Lions Injuries

10/29/17 OL Andrew Nelson Undisclosed is "?" Saturday vs. Michigan State
10/06/17 DE Torrence Brown Knee out indefinitely
08/31/17 CB John Reid Knee out indefinitely

Key Michigan State Spartans Injuries

10/29/17 TE Hussien Kadry Undisclosed is "?" Saturday vs. Penn State
10/29/17 G Matt Carrick Undisclosed is "?" Saturday vs. Penn State
10/29/17 RB Weston Bridges Undisclosed is "?" Saturday vs. Penn State
09/21/17 OL AJ Arcuri Undisclosed out indefinitely
09/03/17 WR Brandon Sowards ACL out for season

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 15th in the country in points scored with 318. They have run 546 plays this year for 3,528 yards, which ranks them 29th in Division 1 in total offense. The Nittany Lions average 6.5 yards per play, which is 25th in the nation. As a team they have accumulated a total of 171 1st downs this season, ranking them 54th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Penn State has run for 1,307 yards as a unit, which ranks 66th in college football. They've run 277 times, averaging 4.7 yards per rush as a unit. The Nittany Lions have been penalized on offense 34 times for 315 yards so far this year, which has them 119th in the country in penalties. Trace McSorley has passed for 2,071 yards this year. He's completed 164 throws while attempting 249 passes for a completion percentage of 65.9%. His quarterback rating this season is 152.9. He averages 8.7 adjusted yards per throw and 8.3 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Penn State is 7th in the country in points surrendered on defense with 106. They have given up a total of 2,512 yards on D, which is 20th in D-1. The Nittany Lions are 9th in yards per play allowed with 4.4. Opponent offenses have completed 156 throws on 266 attempts against the Penn State Nittany Lions defense this season, ranking them 86th and 89th in the nation. The Penn State pass defense has also surrendered a total of 1,501 yards in the air, which is 28th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 307 attempts for 1,011 yards this season, putting them in 28th place in the country against the run. The Nittany Lions have had 47 penalties for 421 yards on defense this year. That places them 60th in college football.

Special Teams Stats

Penn State is 19th in the country in punt returns with 18. They've totaled 272 punt return yards and average 15.1 yards per return, which is 10th in D-1. They have returned 17 kicks for 478 yards on special teams, which puts them 49th in kick return yardage. The Nittany Lions average 28 yards per kick return and they are 29th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 4,278. The Penn State Nittany Lions have tried 14 field goals this year and made 7, which is 95th in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 50%. Penn State Nittany Lions kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 41 for 41 this season. Their punters have accumulated 1,505 yards on 34 punts, averaging 44 yards per punt. That ranks them 18th in the NCAA in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Spartans have run for 1,339 yards as a team, which ranks 61st in college football. They've run 330 times, averaging 4.1 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Michigan State Spartans have been penalized on offense 53 times for 457 yards so far this season, which has them 49th in the country in penalties. They are 99th in the nation in points scored with 190. They have run 595 plays this season for 3,151 yards, which ranks them 70th in Division 1 in total offense. Michigan State averages 5.3 yards per play, which is 92nd in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 172 1st downs this year, placing them 50th overall as an offensive unit. Brian Lewerke averages 7 yards per pass attempt and 7.5 adjusted yards per throw. He has completed 159 passes on 259 attempts for a completion percentage of 61.4%. His quarterback rating this year is 135.5. He has thrown for 1,807 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Michigan State Spartans rush defense has allowed 253 attempts for 721 yards this year, putting them in 4th place in D-1 against the run. Michigan State has committed 39 penalties for 344 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 33rd in college football. They are 27th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 157. They have surrendered a total of 2,265 yards on D, which is 9th in the country. The Spartans are ranked 8th in yards per play allowed with 4.4. Opposing offenses have completed 141 passes on 260 attempts against the Michigan State defense this season, placing them 52nd and 82nd in Division 1. The Michigan State Spartans pass defense has also given up a total of 1,544 yards through the air, which is 33rd overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Michigan State Spartans have attempted 11 field goals this season and made 7, which is 90th in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 64%. Michigan State kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 23 for 23 this year. Their punters have totaled 1,905 yards on 45 punts, averaging 42 yards per punt. That places them 57th in Division 1 in punting average. Michigan State is ranked 12th in the nation in punt returns with 19. They've accumulated 59 punt return yards and average 3.1 yards per return, which is 118th in college football. They have returned 17 kicks for 396 yards on special teams, ranking 91st in kick return yardage. The Michigan State Spartans average 23 yards per kick return and they are 87th in the country in all-purpose yards with 3,606.

Who will win tonight's Nittany Lions/Spartans college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Spartans +12

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn