NCAA Football Line – Illinois vs Penn St

With both Penn State and Illinois coming off an opening game loss in the Big Ten, each is desperate for an NCAA Football betting lines win on Saturday afternoon.

Which team will get it? Let’s take a look.

Saturday, October 9: 12:00 p.m. ESPN2

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 55% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? Find out more exciting details HERE.]

Illinois Fighting Illini (2-2 SU, 3-1 ATS) at Penn State Nittany Lions (3-2 SU, 1-4 ATS)

College Football Betting Odds:

Illinois: +7 ½

Penn State: -7 ½

The Nittany Lions enter this game favored, but coming off a humiliating loss last week to one of the favorites in the Big Ten, Iowa. In that game, the Nittany Lions were exposed for exactly what they are, an average team that needs improvement from their quarterback.

You certainly can’t blame quarterback Robert Bolden entirely for the loss, but at the same time, he’ll need to grow up in a hurry if Penn State is to remain viable in the Big Ten. So far on the season, the Nittany Lions quarterback is completing just 58.7 percent of his passes, and has thrown just three touchdowns and six interceptions.

Until Bolden can complete more passes, teams will continue to load the box and limit Penn State’s running game. That’s what Iowa did last weekend, and it paid off big-time, as Penn State scored just three points.
As for their NCAA Football Line opponents this weekend, Illinois is just 2-2, but not nearly as bad as the record might indicate.

As a matter of fact, they almost shocked the No. 2 team in the country last weekend.

That would be the Ohio State Buckeyes, who came to Champaign and nearly left with their first loss of the season. Illinois limited their high-scoring offense to just 24 points, a number that’s especially impressive considering that Ohio State has already scored 40+ points three times this season.

Still, a loss is a loss, and if the Illini are to cover the NCAA Football Line, they’ll need to a stagnant passing game going.

While running back Mikel Leshoure has been phenomenal this year (478 yards on the ground), Ohio State proved that if you take him out of the game, the Illini don’t have much offense otherwise.

Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is struggling immensely, completing just 54 percent of his passes and has thrown just three touchdowns and four interceptions. There’s a reason that Illinois is currently ranked 113th in the country in passing.

With each team’s quarterback struggling, points will be at a premium. In a low scoring game, pick Penn State to win straight up, but Illinois to cover.

It’s simple really, right now Penn State is struggling to put up points against anyone, as they rank 100th in college football, averaging just 19 points a contest. Sure, some of that is the competition (they’ve played Top 15 teams Alabama and Iowa, both on the road), but at the same time, should any team scoring so little really be favored by over a touchdown?

Not in this game, and not against Illinois.

The Illini may have problems on offense of their own, but if last weekend proved anything, it’s that their defense can hang tough as well.

Take Penn State to win this game straight up, but Illinois to cover this weekend’s NCAA Football Line. Get your wager in now!

NCAA Football Line Pick: Illinois +7 ½

Check out the latest college football game lines in the sportsbook, click here.