The No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0) and the Northwestern Wildcats (2-2) collide in a Big Ten matchup on Saturday afternoon. Penn State completely dominated Iowa, en route to a 31-0 win on Sept. 23. Northwestern has been up and down through four games. In Week 4, the Wildcats had their best victory of the season. They topped Minnesota 37-34 in an overtime tilt.
Kickoff from Ryan Field in Evanston is set for noon ET. The Nittany Lions are 26.5-point favorites in Penn State vs. Northwestern odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 47. Before making any Northwestern vs. Penn State picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a stunning profit of nearly $2,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Penn State vs. Northwestern and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines for Northwestern vs. Penn State:
- Penn State vs. Northwestern spread: Nittany Lions -26.5
- Penn State vs. Northwestern over/under: 47 points
- Penn State vs. Northwestern money line: Nittany Lions -6923, Wildcats +1725
- PSU: Penn State is 6-3 ATS in its last nine games against Northwestern
- NW: Northwestern is 2-8 in its last 10 games at home
- Penn State vs. Northwestern picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Penn State vs. Northwestern live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Penn State can cover
Penn State is currently tied for sixth in the Big Ten in passing offense (239.8). Sophomore quarterback Drew Allar is an athletic playmaker under center. Allar has a powerful throwing arm and has the athleticism to make plays with his feet. The Ohio native is completing 67% of his throws for 903 yards and eight passing touchdowns. In the win over Iowa, Aller tossed 166 yards with a season-high four passing touchdowns.
Junior receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith is the main pass-catcher for this offensive unit. He has recorded 21 catches for 286 yards and three touchdowns. The Virginia native has logged at least 65 receiving yards in three of his last four outings. Last week, Lambert-Smith had eight receptions with 66 yards and one touchdown. See which team to pick here.
Why Northwestern can cover
Northwestern's offense is led by the passing attack. The Wildcats are tied for sixth in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (239.8) with senior quarterback Ben Bryant under center. Bryant has thrown for 804 yards and six passing touchdowns this season. He is coming off his best performance of the year in the win over Minnesota. Bryant went 33 of 49 for a season-high 396 yards and four passing scores.
Senior receiver Bryce Kirtz utilizes his speed to beat defenders vertically. Kirtz leads the team in both receptions (17) and receiving yards (274) with two touchdowns. In the win over Minnesota, the Indiana native exploded for 10 catches for 215 yards and 21.5 yards per reception. Senior running back Cam Porter is the main ball carrier in the backfield. Porter has good burst and contact balance. He's logged 49 rushes for 203 yards and one score. See which team to pick here.
How to make Northwestern vs. Penn State picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 45 points. It has also generated an against-the-spread pick that hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Penn State vs. Northwestern, and which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that finished up nearly $2,500 on its FBS college football picks since its inception, and find out.
