This Week 5 clash has the top-ranked and undefeated Illinois Fighting Illini playing away against the undefeated Penn State Nittany Lions and is one of those matches that can shake up the Big Ten standings. All of the action can be followed live on NBC and brings along with it tension-filled college football. The NCAAF lends itself to both teams and this game becomes a very important one for the NCAAF fans as they look for free daily NCAAF picks.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Penn State Nittany Lions 9/28/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Beaver Stadium |
| TV: | NBC |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0)
This season, the Illinois Fighting Illini seems to have silenced their critics courtesy of their 4-0 starts, their last games being the icing on the cake. In their previous match, they managed to beat Nebraska in a tough contest, showing that they can fight, and even outsmart their opponents. Prior to that, they enjoyed a blowout win against Central Michigan, showing they could dictate the pace of the game on both ends of the ball. The combination of quarterback Luke Altmyer and receiver Pat Bryant has been instrumental in their achievement. Altmyer has been impressive completing 71.4% of passes and making 10 passing touchdowns, while Bryant has emerged the most productive target for him, posting 6 TDs and more than 300 yards.
For their part, Penn State has also been impressive, as they have yet to lose a game through three matchups. They put an exclamation point on the previous week’s work by defeating Kent State in their last match 56-0. Just the week prior, they played against a stronger opponent in Bowling Green and won 34-27 in the end. The players responsible for running the show for the Nittany Lions have been Drew Allar at quarterback and Tyler Warren at tight end. Allar is pretty important under the center as registered 218.3 passer efficiency and was executing his throws effectively while Warren has been an important part of the desired passing game as well as blocking game which enhances the attacking ability of the Nittany Lions.
Luke Altmyer QB vs. Drew Allar QB
For the Illini, Luke Altmyer has served as a steady hand by racking up some respectable stats that include no interceptions thrown and a very good passer rating of 171.8. His ability to prevent turnovers and come through in the clutch has been essential to Illinois’ success. Directions are troublesome for him though. He will now have to face a Penn State defense that has been stingy in points this season and can bring it to the quarterback.
In contrast, Drew Allar from Penn State has an even better passer rating of around 218.3 and has had a great contribution to his team’s scoring through good deep throws and sound decision-making. In comparison to Altmyer, Allar’s higher yards per pass attempt suggest he is more adept at advancing the ball downfield. His one interception demonstrates the risky propensity that he possesses at times but all in all, his playing has been great.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Penn State Nittany Lions -17.5 (-110), Total Odds: 48.5
The betting odds place Penn State as significant favorites with a -17.5 point spread, reflecting their dominance at home and their potent offensive lineup. The total over/under at 48.5 points suggests expectations of a relatively high-scoring affair, likely influenced by both teams’ recent performances.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
The Illini have shown a knack for covering the spread with a 4-1-1 ATS record in their last six games. However, their history against Penn State is less encouraging, with a 1-4 ATS record in their last five meetings. Their ability to keep games under the total points line will be crucial as they face a high-scoring Penn State team.
Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends
Penn State’s betting trends reveal a strong ability to cover the spread at home, boasting a 10-1 SU record in their last 11 home games. Their overall 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games underscores their reliability in beating the odds, paired with a consistent trend of keeping the total under in games against Illinois.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Penn State Nittany Lions 9/28/24 Betting Picks
While bettors targeted this premium matchup picks, Penn State’s well-anticipated triumph with a confidence rating further suggests that this will be an easy deal with. Still, Illinois’ spirit this season indicates they might not lose the match by such a big margin. Considering the recent tendencies of both teams to play defensively, it might be wise to bet on Illinois to cover the spread and the total going low.
From a prop betting perspective, considering individual quarterback total yards or touchdown passes is indicative as per their form. In the end, although a win is most likely for Penn State Illinois’ better coach and grit patterns suggest that it may be safer to bet on them to cover the spread in what will be a very tight affair.