Penn State-Rutgers
Line: PEN -3.5

Betting Line Courtesy of Bovada

The Penn State Nittany Lions have opened the season 2-0. Week 1 the Penn State faced UCF, and won the game by a mere two points on a game winning field goal by Sam Ficken. Penn State dominated yardage and time of possession, amassing 511 yards (454 passing) and maintaining possession for 33:42.

Third down conversions were also a strength, with the Nittany Lions converting 10-of-18. PSU did have three turnovers, two of which were Christian Hackenberg interceptions. Still, Hackenberg went 32-of-47 on completions while averaging an impressive 9.7 yards per completion. PSU ranks 5th in the nation in passing yardage (368.5 per game), but that hasn’t translated to a lot of scoring. The team ranks 100th in scoring with just 23.5 points per game.

Zach Zwinak and Bill Belton were ineffective in the 22 carries between them, accounting for just 48 yards. Zwinak scored the only TD of the backfield.

Week 2 against the Akron Zips is a game that can be written off against a lowly opponent. PSU took care of business and held the Zips to a field goal to improve to 2-0. This week, however, the Nittany Lions are just 3.5 point favorites against a much tougher opponent in Big-10 rival Rutgers.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have balanced the pass and run well. The result has been 39.5 points per game, against lowly Washington State and Howard. Following this matchup against PSU, the Scarlet Knights will visit Navy for anther probable victory. Things don’t get tough until Weeks 7 through 11, when Rutgers will face Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Gary Nova has started the season well, throwing 31-of-46 in the first two games. He already has six TDs on the year, and Leonte Carroo has led the team in total receiving yardage with 195 per game and an average catch of 24.4 yards. This is the first conference game for the Scarlet Knights, and it’s an important one quite obviously. Pulling the mild upset would be a good start, but beating the likes of Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State will require some luck and fortitude.

Trends:

PSU: 7-1 ATS in last 8 Sept.; OVER 7-1 in last 8 games after allowing less than 20 points; OVER 7-1 in last 8 after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in previous game.

RUT: UNDER 6-0 in last 6 after allowing more than 200 rushing yards in previous game; 5-1-1 ATS in last 7 after allowing more than 200 rushing yards in previous game; UNDER 13-3 in last 16 following ATS loss.