Indiana Hoosiers vs Penn State Nittany Lions Point Spread Picks

Combine the Hoosiers (-603) and the Bulldogs (-343) into a 2-team parlay at -198 odds.

Penn State had played a relatively easy schedule as it won its first six games, but the Nittany Lions ran into a roadblock at Ohio State and didn't score a touchdown until the final minute of the game and didn't even convert a third or fourth down until about two minutes left. It is asking a lot of the Nittany Lions to cover this huge number after that offensive showing and QB Drew Allar had arguably the worst game of his career finishing 18 of 42 for 191 yards with a QB rating of 88.9. Indiana stayed close against Rutgers for three quarters before falling 31-14. Brendan Sorsby threw for 126 yards and a TD with no interceptions and ran for 49 yards for the Hoosiers, who held Rutgers to only 39 passing yards. However, the Scarlet Knights totaled 286 yards on the ground and that was the difference in the game. Penn State coach James Franklin is 9-20 ATS following a loss against a conference rival and 4-15 ATS overall off any road loss. Grab the big points with Indiana (Max Play). 

Penn State is off to a 4-0 record to start the season, but they have not been able to pull away from either of the good teams on their schedule in Wisconsin, and Auburn, both one-score games. Indiana has played some very tough teams in Iowa, and Cincinnati, and out-gained Cincinnati. Indiana was a ranked team to start the season, but losses to a pair of elite teams have softened many on this team. Like a lot of unbeaten teams at this stage of the season, turnovers are usually falling their way and Penn State has a 7-2 edge in that department. I think this becomes a defining game for Indiana and they certainly have the talent to hang in this one. Make the play on Indiana.

A Big Ten opener finds Penn State ranked in the Top 10. QB Sean Clifford is back after throwing for 23 touchdowns and seven picks, and he has preseason All-America tight end Pat Freiermuth to throw to. Meanwhile, the loaded defense was seventh in the nation last year in points allowed (14.1 per game), and fifth against the run. Indiana is getting a lot of respect with this betting number, but they are 26-45 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points. They also have a young QB in sophomore Michael Penix, Jr., who split time last season while playing in six games. They have an average defense that was No. 46 in the country at stopping the run (138.8 yards per game allowed). Indiana hasn't beaten a Top 10 team since 1987, losing all four tries last year by an average margin of 20.5 points. With Indiana on an 85-114 ATS run as an underdog, including 33-53 ATS as a home dog, back the visiting upper-class pedigree. Play Penn State to cover.