Two schools that like to run the football, Coach James Franklin and the No. 12 Penn State Nittany Lions (-39) are ready to host their in-conference nemesis Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium. BTN has the TV rights and the game is scheduled to get going at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Penn State Nittany Lions
Rutgers is a heavy live dog here and is currently receiving 39 points by bookmakers. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 48.5 points. There will probably be some solid in-game betting scenarios while this matchup is taking place.
The Scarlet Knights are down 0.5 units so far and 3-8 against the spread (ATS). The team has recorded an O/U mark of 5-5-1.
The Nittany Lions have gained 3.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 6-5 ATS and have an O/U record of 5-6.
The Scarlet Knights have gone a lousy 2-9 straight up (SU), including 0-8 SU against Big 10 opponents. The Nittany Lions are 9-2 SU overall and 6-2 SU in conference play.
The Scarlet Knights are trying to get back in stride after a 27-0 shutout to Michigan State last week. Johnny Langan completed only eight-of-20 passes for 57 yards and one interception. Langan (49 rushing yards on 14 attempts) also spearheaded the ground attack and was complemented by Isaih Pacheco (36 yards on 12 carries). Pacheco (two receptions, 25 yards) and Mohamed Jabbie (two catches, nine yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Penn State just suffered a 28-17 loss to Ohio State. As a group, the Nittany Lions collectively completed 16-of-28 passes for 128 yards and one interception. Sean Clifford went 10-for-17 for 71 yards while Will Levis was six-of-11 for 57 yards and one interception. Will Levis (34 yards on 18 rush attempts, one TD) and Journey Brown (64 yards on 11 carries, one TD) spearheaded the running game while Pat Freiermuth (six receptions, 40 yards) and KJ Hamler (three catches, 45 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Rutgers has run the ball on 62.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Penn State has a rush percentage of 55.5 percent. The Scarlet Knights have rushed for 129.2 yards per game (including 108.5 per game versus Big Ten opponents) and have 11 scores on the ground this year. The Nittany Lions are averaging 166.4 rushing yards per game (156.8 in conference) and have 26 total rush TDs.
It seems like the Nittany Lions may have the advantage in terms of efficiency in the ground game, as their running backs has generated 4.4 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 2.4 to opponents. The Scarlet Knights have ran for 3.4 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 4.8 to opponents.
The Scarlet Knights offensive scheme has averaged 133.9 yards through the air overall (78.6 per game versus conference opposition) and has seven passing scores so far. The Nittany Lions have produced 242.1 pass yards per outing (228 in the Big 10) and have 23 total pass TDs.
Rutgers has allowed opponents to run for an average of 196.5 yards and pass for 246.3 yards per game. The Penn State defense has given up 235.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 89.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The Nittany Lions are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.3 to opposing QBs, while the Scarlet Knights have given up an 8.42 ANY/A.
Offensively, Langan is up to 555 passing yards on the year. He’s completed 56-of-109 attempts with three passing scores and seven interceptions. Langan has a 1.61 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 0.86 over the last two outings.
On the other sideline, Sean Clifford has managed to complete 167-of-276 passes for 2,342 yards, 21 TDs and six INTs. Clifford’s ANY/A sits at 8.18 for the year and 5.52 over his last two outings.
These two schools met a year ago with the final result being a 20-7 victory for Penn State.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Penn State Nittany Lions NCAA Pick
SU Winner: Penn State, ATS Winner: Rutgers, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Penn State defensive unit has sacked opposing QBs 36 times this season. Rutgers has produced just 14 sacks.
- The Penn State offense has lost five fumbles in 2019 while the Rutgers offense has lost eight.
- The Scarlet Knights offense has registered six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Nittany Lions have put up 12 such plays.
- The Rutgers defense has allowed 12 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Penn State has given up eight such plays.
- The Rutgers offense has created 10 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Penn State has created 14 such runs.
- The Scarlet Knights defense has allowed 16 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Nittany Lions have given up seven such runs.
- The Over/Under for Penn State’s last matchup was 58. The under cashed in that 28-17 loss to Ohio State.
- In its last three matchups, Penn State is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three matchups, Rutgers is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Rutgers has lost 10 of its last 11 games SU, with a 10-point win over Liberty on October 26th representing the only victory over that stretch.
- The Over/Under for Rutgers’ previous game was set at 43.5. The under cashed in the team’s 27-0 defeat to Michigan State.
- As a team, Rutgers has averaged 3.2 yards per carry over its past three games and 2.9 over its last two.
- Penn State has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.6 over its past two.
