Illinois at Penn State tips, odds, how to watch: The Nittany Lions are the heavy favorites in the top 25 showdown

With an overtime upset a week ago, Illinois is experiencing flashbacks to 2012. The Illini stormed to a 6-0 record this season, and with four wins in 2024, they are two-thirds of the way toward repeating the magic. The biggest hurdle so far is a heavily favored Penn State team that is desperate to stay in the top 10 with a home win.

The listed point total was 47.5 points at the start, meaning the Nittany Lions are expected to score 32 or 33 points by a margin of 17.5 points, more than any other team has managed against Illinois this season. The Illini defense ranks 15th nationally in points allowed per game (12.5) and hasn’t given up a rushing touchdown, but faces a real test in Happy Valley.

Behind juniors Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, Penn State boasts the 10th-best running attack in the country. So it’s a safe bet that this offense will be won or lost on the ground, especially since the Nittany Lions rank 119th in pass attempts per game. PSU does manage to find the end zone through the air and is tied with Texas and Miami in passing TDs per game, but the run accounts for nearly half of their total yards.

Illinois’ offense didn’t show much to scare the Big Ten’s Blues, failing to crack the top 70 in passing or rushing. If the spread is covered, it will be because the Illini are turning the game into a slog, which is likely considering five of Penn State’s last seven games since last season came in the minors.

All odds from BetMGM. Looking for college football tickets? Find them here.

No. 19 Illinois at No. 9 Penn State odds

Here’s how to watch Illinois at Penn State

• Venue: Beaver Stadium – University Park, Pennsylvania.
• Time: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC
• Streaming: Fubo (try for free)

Expert tips against the spread

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(Photo by Kaytron Allen: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)