Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Penn State Nittany Lions Prediction, 11/18/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Penn State Nittany Lions

Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023

Location: Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA

TV: FS1

Odds/Point Spread: Nittany Lions (-17)

Total/Over-Under: 44.5

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-4) are en route to Beaver Stadium on Saturday, November 18, 2023 where they will try to beat the Penn State Nittany Lions (8-2). Penn State opens this game as 17-point favorites. The over/under is 44.5.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights come into this game with a record of 6-4 this season. In their last game, the Scarlet Knights stepped onto the field against the Iowa Hawkeyes and took a loss by a final of 22-0. Kyle Monangai was the best rusher for the Scarlet Knights with 13 carries for 39 yds (3.0 yards per attempt). Gavin Wimsatt connected on 7/18 with 93 yds passing. He had a QB rating of 71.2 and finished the game with 1 pick. In the running game, the Scarlet Knights gave up 179 yds on 46 attempts, which is 3.9 yards per run allowed. Rutgers relinquished 20 pass completions on 31 attempts for a total of 223 yds, and a completion rate of 64.5%. For the game, they tallied 41 plays for 127 yds. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights ran the ball a total of 23 different times and had 34 yds, which earned them an average of 1.5 yards per carry.

Concerning getting in the endzone, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are averaging 24.1 points per outing. As a team they're holding an average of 169.6 yards via the ground game which ranks them 51st in the nation. The Scarlet Knights have tallied 3,105 total yards this season. In terms of getting the ball in the endzone, Rutgers has compiled 9 touchdowns through the air and 19 rushing touchdowns. Rutgers has earned 177 1st downs as an offense, and they have been called for 46 infractions for 401 yds. They have given the ball to the opposition 9 different times.

When it comes to passing yardage, the Scarlet Knights are allowing 1,662 yards which has them ranked 9th in D-1. They have conceded 166.2 yards per game via the pass as well as allowing a completion percentage of 57.9%. During this campaign, they are granting 294.4 yards per contest which puts them 13th in the nation. They have yielded 12 touchdowns through the air in addition to 8 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.7 yards per rush on the ground and 128.2 yards on the ground per game for the campaign. In total, they have given up 1,282 rushing yards through 10 games. The Scarlet Knights rank 20th in college football concerning their opponents scoring, conceding 18.3 points per contest.

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The Nittany Lions head into this matchup 8-2 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Nittany Lions took a loss by a final score of 24-15 against the Michigan Wolverines. Drew Allar (1 TD) finished the game with 70 yds on 10/22 through the air while his QB rating was 87.2. He didn't throw any interceptions and his average yards per pass attempt was 3.2. Kaytron Allen ran the football 12 times for 72 yards, finishing the contest with 6.0 yards per carry for Penn State. The Nittany Lions finished the game with a total of 238 yards while they ran 58 plays (4.1 yards per play). Penn State ran for 4.7 yds per attempt, finishing with 164 yds on 35 carries. Penn State surrendered 46 attempts on the ground for 227 yards (4.9 yards per carry). The Nittany Lions passing defense gave up a completion rate of 87.5%, surrendering 60 yards on 7 out of 8 passing.

When it comes to their ability to score points, the Nittany Lions are sitting 15th in college football with an average of 37.7 PPG. The Penn State Nittany Lions hold an average of 378.4 yards/contest, which has them ranked 74th in the nation. The Penn State offense has racked up 481 yds of penalties on 54 violations, ranking them 88th in the country in terms of helping out the other team. They have given away 1 pick while surrendering 4 fumbles and they have obtained 232 first downs. Over the course of the season thus far, the Nittany Lions have a total of 2,061 yards through the air along with holding an average of 206.1 passing yards per outing, which has them sitting 90th in the country. They average 172.3 yards per game via the rush and have toted the ball for 1,723 yards for the year.

Penn State has allowed a total of 772 yards via the ground game (77.2 yards per game) as well as 9 touchdowns rushing so far this season. They have yielded 7 touchdowns through the air in addition to 162.5 yards per game, which has them in 7th in D-1. Their defense has earned 10 fumbles and 10 interceptions so far this season. The Nittany Lions defense has been on the field for 581 plays, ranking them 4th in college football. The Nittany Lions are relinquishing 13.1 points per contest, which puts them 4th in the nation. Overall, they have allowed 131 total points.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Nittany Lions -17

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