NCAAF Sunday Showdown – Illinois vs. Penn State
It’s the Big Ten opener for both Illinois and Penn State as the Illini travel to Happy Valley to take on the Nittany Lions. Without a doubt, there is a buzz about this Penn State team. With the Ohio State Buckeyes suddenly beatable and Michigan rebuilding, the Nittany Lions are the favorites to win the Big Ten.
Online football betting fans aren’t complaining as Penn State has covered in each of their four games this season. Granted, they’ve played Coastal Carolina, Syracuse, Temple and Oregon State, but they beat the hell out of all four of those teams.
Illinois hasn’t been as impressive as Penn State so far this season but they too have played well this season. They opened their season against the highly ranked Missouri Tigers. They did lose to Missouri by 10 points, but Missouri has one of the best offenses in college football.
Online betting fans can’t hold that loss against the Illini who can put up points as well with Juice Williams running the show at quarterback. More disturbing is the fact that Illinois couldn’t cover against Louisiana-Lafayette in their last game. They only won by three points.
Here are the BetUS online sportsbook betting odds for this game.
Kick-off: 9/27/2008 8:00 pm est.
Illinois Fighting Illini + 14 ½ – 110 + 600
Penn State Nittany Lions – 14 ½ – 110 – 800
Here are a few online wagering trends that might help us find a good online bet in this game.
The Illinois Fighting Illini are 6 and 2 against the spread in their last 8 games conference games.
The Illinois Fighting Illini are 3 and 12 against the spread in their last 15 games on grass.
The Penn State Nittany Lions are 4 and 0 against the spread in their last 4 games overall.
The Penn State Nittany Lions are 0 and 4 against the spread in their last 4 conference games.
This is going to be a tough one. Yes, I do see that the BetUS online sportsbook odds makers believe that Penn State is 14 ½ points better than Illinois, but I just don’t buy it. Penn State has looked great in their four victories this year, but this is Illinois.
Illinois is a well coached team. Not only that, but they got their dud game out of the way last weekend versus Louisiana-Lafayette. Illinois should put points on the board and their defense no doubt will be the best that Penn State has faced so far this season.
All of it adds up to making an online wager on the dog in this game. That would be the Illinois Fighting Illini at + 14 ½ in the BetUS online sportsbook.
Free Prediction:
As good as Penn State has looked so far this season, things could change dramatically as they start Big Ten play. I just don’t feel comfortable laying that many points on the Nittany Lions. I’m going with Illinois.
