College football betting - Illinois vs. Penn State odds
Posted on 9/22/2008 3:46:43 PM
By Blake Frazier
Illinois vs. Penn State odds: Nittany Lions heavy favorites over Fighting Illini
- WHAT: College football betting
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WHO: No. 22 Illinois Fighting Illini (+16.5) at No. 12 Penn State Nittany Lions (-16.5)
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WHEN: Saturday, September 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET
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WHERE: Beaver Stadium in Pennsylvania
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KEY STATS: Illinois is 2-0 against the spread versus Penn State over the past three seasons; five of seven games between the Nittany Lions and the Fighting Illini have gone over the total since 1992
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THE PICK: Penn State
Illinois vs. Penn State lines have the Nittany Lions as huge favorites, but football betting fans aren’t sure if either of these teams are for real yet. Penn State has lost eight of its last 10 conference openers while the Fighting Illini nearly lost to a team that struggled in the Sun Belt two weeks ago in Louisiana-Lafayette.
Joe Paterno’s squad had been reduced to a mediocre squad, a proverbial Big Ten punching bag over the past few seasons. However, Penn State hasn’t appeared to be content with middling this time around, absolutely throttling its first four opponents by a combined score of 211-40.
Granted, its first three contests weren’t against any powerhouses, but Week 4 competition Temple was supposed to at least present a challenge. PSU embarrassed them 45-3 and held the normally rush-happy Owls to a measly 16 rushing yards.
As a result of Week 3’s eye-opening performance from Illinois, the Illinois vs. Penn State spread lists the road team as an underdog. Ron Zook’s offense looked feeble against Temple, and the former linebacker and NFL coordinator’s defense has been even worse.
Illinois quarterback Juice Williams has been careless with the ball thus far, distributing five interceptions, and won’t have it any easier up against Linebacker U. Illinois running backs have only managed one rushing touchdown so far this season, and that came from unheralded freshman Troy Pollard. Meanwhile, Penn State’s top two running backs—Evan Royster and Stephfon Green are both averaging more than seven yards per carry.
BLAKE’S PICK: While these are two teams out to prove themselves, it seems very evident that the Penn State and Illinois programs are moving in completely opposite directions. Illinois is one loss away from settling outside of the Top 25 for the remainder of the season, and rewarding Coach Zook with yet another disappointing season in yet another storied program.
For Illinois vs. Penn State betting, take the home team on the moneyline.
For more College football odds visit BetOnline.com. BetOnline.com is a top-rated online sportsbook providing reliable sports betting to millions of clients.
Blake walked onto his college football team and had a
brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to
the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game
that only someone who has played would understand, and he was one of the few
who gave the Giants a chance against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
