Illinois Fighting Illini vs Penn State Nittany Lions Prediction, 9/28/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Penn State Nittany Lions

Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024

Location: Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Nittany Lions (-17.5)

Total/Over-Under: 48

The Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0) will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Penn State opens as 17.5-point favorites from oddsmakers. The betting total is set at 48.

The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this matchup with a record of 4-0 for this season. In their last game, the Fighting Illini went up against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and notched a win by a score of 31-24. When the final whistle blew, they tallied 66 plays which gave them a total of 381 yds. The Illinois Fighting Illini ran the rock 39 different times and totaled 166 yds, earning them an average of 4.3 yards per attempt. In the running game, the Fighting Illini gave up 48 yds on 33 attempts, which is an average of 1.5 yds per rush allowed. Illinois gave up 24 pass completions on 35 attempts for 297 yards, and a completion percentage of 68.6%.

The Fighting Illini have racked up 1,517 yards in total over the course of this season. When it comes to getting in the endzone, Illinois has earned 10 touchdowns through the air and 4 touchdowns via the ground. They have surrendered the ball 3 different times. Illinois has a total of 86 first downs as a team, and they have been flagged for 21 penalties for 166 yards. As a team they're averaging 156.5 yards on the ground ranking them 73rd in Division 1. Regarding putting points on the board, the Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 32.3 PPG.

In terms of passing yards, the Fighting Illini are conceding 752 yards which ranks them 63rd in D-1. They have given up 188.0 yards per outing through the air in addition to conceding a completion percentage of 57.2%. For the season, they have given up 292.3 yards/outing putting them at 32nd in the country. They have given up 5 touchdowns by air and 0 touchdown via the ground game. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.4 yards per rushing attempt and 104.3 rushing yards per contest so far this year. Overall, they have given up 417 yards via the running game in 4 outings. The Fighting Illini are sitting in 15th in Division 1 in terms of the opposition scoring, conceding 12.5 points per game.

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The Nittany Lions head into this matchup 3-0 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Nittany Lions got the victory with a final of 56-0 against the Kent State Golden Flashes. The Nittany Lions finished with 718 yards while they ran 81 plays (8.9 yards per play). Penn State ran the ball for 6.2 yds per attempt, finishing the game with 309 yds on 50 attempts. Penn State surrendered 30 rushing attempts for 48 yds (1.6 yards per rush). The Nittany Lions passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 15.4%, relinquishing 18 yds on 2 for 13 passing.

In relation to their scoring prowess, the Nittany Lions are sitting 17th in college football holding an average of 41.3 PPG. The Penn State Nittany Lions maintain an average of 537.7 yards per outing, which has them ranked 7th in the country. The Penn State offense has totaled 201 yards of penalties on 22 violations, which is good for 73rd in Division 1 in terms of making mistakes. They have thrown 2 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 1 fumble and they have tallied 82 1st downs. Over the course of the season so far, the Nittany Lions currently have a total of 848 passing yards along with holding an average of 282.7 passing yards per game, ranking them 29th in college football. They have an average of 255.0 yards per game via the ground game and have run for 765 yards in total.

The Nittany Lions are giving up 13.0 points per contest, which has them sitting 22nd in the country. Penn State has allowed a total of 254 rushing yards (84.7 yards per game) and 2 touchdowns rushing on the year. In total, they have given up 39 points in total. They have conceded 2 touchdowns through the air as well as 144.3 yards per contest, which puts them in 22nd in college football. The Nittany Lions defense has taken the field for 175 plays, which is good for 8th in the country. Their defense has 2 fumbles and 3 picks for the season.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Fighting Illini +17.5

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