Penn State at Pittsburgh College Football Picks and Predictions 9/8/2018

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Heinz Field

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The Pittsburgh Panthers host the Penn State Nittany Lions at Heinz Field on Saturday, September 8, 2018. The opening line for this game has Penn State as 9.5 point favorites. The Panthers have an over/under record of 0-1-0 and they are 0-1-0 against the spread. The Nittany Lions have an ATS record of 0-1-0 while their over/under record is 1-0-0.

Valuable Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 1-0-0 against the over/under

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 0-1-0 against the spread

Important Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 0-1-0 against the over/under

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 0-1-0 against the spread

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Penn State Nittany Lions have run for 204 yards as a team, which ranks 57th in college football. They've run 43 times, averaging 4.7 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Nittany Lions have been penalized on offense 2 times for 10 yards so far this season, which has them 121st in the country in penalties. They are 42nd in the nation in points scored with 45. They have run 79 plays this season for 434 yards, which ranks them 75th in Division 1 in total offense. The Nittany Lions average 5.5 yards per play, which is 75th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 24 1st downs this year, placing them 58th overall as an offensive unit. Trace McSorley averages 6.4 yards per pass attempt and 6.9 adjusted yards per throw. He has completed 21 passes on 36 attempts for a completion percentage of 58.3%. His quarterback rating this year is 121.2. He has thrown for 230 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Nittany Lions rush defense has allowed 37 attempts for 159 yards this year, putting them in 75th place in D-1 against the run. Penn State has committed 9 penalties for 100 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 115th in college football. They are 105th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 38. They have surrendered a total of 451 yards on D, which is 96th in the country. The Nittany Lions are ranked 93rd in yards per play allowed with 5.9. Opposing offenses have completed 26 passes on 39 attempts against the Penn State Nittany Lions defense this season, placing them 105th and 102nd in Division 1. The Penn State pass defense has also given up a total of 292 yards through the air, which is 101st overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

Penn State Nittany Lions kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 6 for 6 this year. Their punters have totaled 215 yards on 5 punts, averaging 43 yards per punt. That places them 51st in Division 1 in punting average. The Nittany Lions average 52 yards per kick return and they are 64th in the country in all-purpose yards with 515.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Panthers are 71st in the country in points scored with 33. They have run 60 plays this year for 407 yards, which ranks them 102nd in Division 1 in total offense. The Pittsburgh Panthers average 6.8 yards per play, which is 39th in the nation. As a team they have accumulated a total of 21 1st downs this season, ranking them 85th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Pittsburgh has run for 238 yards as a unit, which ranks 39th in college football. They've run 37 times, averaging 6.4 yards per rush as a unit. Pittsburgh has been penalized on offense 6 times for 55 yards so far this year, which has them 67th in the country in penalties. Kenny Pickett has passed for 154 yards this year. He's completed 16 throws while attempting 22 passes for a completion percentage of 72.7%. His quarterback rating this season is 152.4. He averages 6.8 adjusted yards per throw and 7 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Pittsburgh is 22nd in the country in points surrendered on defense with 7. They have given up a total of 323 yards on D, which is 58th in D-1. The Panthers are 88th in yards per play allowed with 5.7. Opponent offenses have completed 18 throws on 29 attempts against the Pittsburgh defense this season, ranking them 65th and 57th in the nation. The Pittsburgh Panthers pass defense has also surrendered a total of 263 yards in the air, which is 89th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 28 attempts for 60 yards this season, putting them in 22nd place in the country against the run. The Panthers have had 7 penalties for 40 yards on defense this year. That places them 45th in college football.

Special Teams Stats

Pittsburgh is 56th in the country in punt returns with 2. They have returned 2 kicks for 98 yards on special teams, which puts them 25th in kick return yardage. The Pittsburgh Panthers average 49 yards per kick return and they are 67th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 507. Pittsburgh kickers have made 75% of their extra points, going 3 for 4 this season. Their punters have accumulated 93 yards on 2 punts, averaging 47 yards per punt. That ranks them 26th in the NCAA in punting average.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Panthers +9.5

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 Josh Schonwald