Illinois vs Penn State Prediction College Football Picks 9/28/24

The Illinois Fighting Illini and Penn State Nittany Lions meet Saturday in week 5 college football action at Beaver Stadium. Here’s an Illinois vs Penn State Prediction. This article will include an Illinois vs Penn State Pick.

Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini beat Central Michigan and Nebraska, and they play Purdue next. Illinois looks for its first 5-0 start since the 2011 season. Luke Altmyer is completing 71.4 percent of his passes for 862 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin have combined for 552 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, while Collin Dixon has 5 receptions.

The Illinois Fighting Illini ground game is averaging 156.5 yards per contest, and Kaden Feagin leads the way with 242 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Illinois is allowing 12.5 points and 294.3 yards per game. Matthew Bailey leads the Illinois Fighting Illini with 23 tackles, Gabe Jacas has 2 sacks and Xavier Scott has 3 interceptions.

Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Preview

The Penn State Nittany Lions beat Bowling Green and Kent State, and they play UCLA next. Penn State looks for a fourth straight 4-0 start to a season. Drew Allar is completing 70.7 percent of his passes for 729 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Tyler Warren and Omari Evans have combined for 431 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Harrison Wallace III has 8 receptions.

The Penn State Nittany Lions ground game is averaging 255 yards per contest, and Nicholas Singleton leads the way with 314 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Penn State is allowing 13 points and 229 yards per game. Jaylen Reed leads the Penn State Nittany Lions with 22 tackles, Smith Vilbert has 1 sack and Tony Rojas has 1 interception.

Why the Penn State Nittany Lions will win

• Penn State has won each of its last 12 home games in September.
• The favorite has covered the spread in 18 of Penn State’s last 21 games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Illinois’ last four games as an underdog against top-10 AP-ranked teams has gone UNDER the total points line.
• Five of Penn State’s last six home games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Penn State ranks 7th among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (3.0).
• Penn State ranks 7th among FBS teams for yards per game this season (537.7).
• Illinois ranks T15th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (12.5).
• Illinois ranks T20th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this s

Illinois vs Penn State Prediction

The Penn State Nittany Lions are the more talented team on paper and being at home helps, but this line feels a bit insane. The Illinois Fighting Illini have played great ball through 4 games, have shown to be good defensively, and are getting solid quarterback play. Illinois beat Kansas as a 5-point underdog and just upset Nebraska on the road as a 9.5-point underdog. Oddsmakers clearly don’t believe in this stretch, but I’ve been impressed and have already made money on Illinois this season. I’ll gladly take the free 18 points. 

Randy Chambers's Pick: Illinois +18