College Football Betting Tips – Illinois vs Penn St

The Illinois Fighting Illini lost to the #2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes but the 24-13 loss was a moral and ATS victory for Illinois. They trailed by only four going into the final minutes.

They plan on building on the effort against OSU, as they are on the road this Saturday to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Let’s look at the Illini, the Nittany Lions and some college betting tips before we make a prediction on this Big Ten clash.

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The college football odds makers have set Penn State as they -7½-points. The game total is set at 42 points.

NCAAF Betting Lines

October 9, 2010

Illinois Fighting Illini +7½ -110

Penn State Nittany Lions -7½ -110

Game Total 42

Location: Beaver Stadium – University Park PA

Game Time: 12:00pm

TV: ESPN2

College Football Betting Tips – Illinois is 6-0 ATS in their past 6 games as an underdog.

The Illinois is 2-2 on the season and boast a 3-1 ATS record. The team is relying on redshirt freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase and senior running back Mikel Leshoure to provide the offensive spark.

Mikel Leshoure has topped 100 yards in three of the Illini’s four games and has 487 yards on the season with three touchdowns. The team ranks 29th nationally averaging 201.5 rushing yards a game.

Nathan Scheelhaase is still learning the finer points of being a college quarterback but his coaches say he’s improving with every game. He’s completing 54.4% of his passes for 489 yards on the season. Regardless of what coach Ron Zook says, Scheelhaase’s numbers indicate he’s not getting it done.

He’s throw three touchdowns to four interceptions and he hasn’t thrown a TD in his past two games. Scheelhaase can run the ball though as he’s scampered for 207 yards and two touchdowns in 50 attempts.

College Football Betting Tips – Penn State is 2-8 in their past 10 as a favorite.

Defensively they are allowing just 18 points a game, which is good for 30th in the nation. The rest of the numbers are in the middle of the pack but they shut down OSU’s Terrelle Pryor. The third straight year they held Pryor to under 100 passing yards.

Penn State holds a decided edge in the series winning 14 of the 17 meetings with the Illini.

Penn State is 3-2 on the season but are just 1-4 ATS.

College Football Betting Tips – The road team is 6-1 ATS in the past 7 meetings between the teams.

The Penn State offense is a led by quarterback Robert Bolden, Bolden has amassed 1035 passing yards with three touchdowns this season. Like Scheelhaase, he’s failed to throw a TD pass in the past two games. Bolden has tossed six interceptions this season.

The Nittany Lions are solid on defense as they only allow 15 points a game and give up 290.4 yards of total offense, ranking them 18th nationally in both categories.

The trouble for the defense has been their first quarter letdowns. Against Iowa they gave up 10 in the first quarter in a 24-3 loss and allowed 13 points to Temple in a 22-13 win but an ATS loss.

Penn State’s first quarter struggles should be enough for Illinois to get an early jump on the offensive side of the ball. Illinois will still likely lose but should keep it within a touchdown. The college football betting tips don’t look good for Penn State, so put Illinois +7½ in your picks this week.

NCAAF Betting Picks – Illinois Fighting Illini +7½