The Northwestern Wildcats went on the road last week and gave a scare to No. 10 Wisconsin. They head home in Week 6 aiming to be competitive against another top-10 team in the No. 4 Penn State Wildcats.
Despite that showing last time out, Northwestern is a heavy underdog in this one in front of its home fans. Penn State’s defense has been outstanding this season and will aim to neutralize the Wildcats’ offense. The Nittany Lions have the look of a national championship contender and aren’t just looking for a win in this game but one in style with a blowout of Northwestern.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 6game is set for Saturday, October 7, 2017, at 12 p.m. ET at Ryan Field.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Penn State -15
Northwestern +15
Over/Under 52.5
Odds Analysis
Penn State will really need to play well to cover this one against a decent foe on the road. Even so, the bettors believe in the Nittany Lions as they are currently receiving about 66 percent of the action on the spread.
The scoring total is lower than in the majority of college football games because of that outstanding Penn State defense. The “over” is the more popular choice.
Penn State is listed as the heavy -675 road favorite while Northwestern clocks in as the +492 underdog. Most of the moneyline action has gone to Penn State early in the week.
Player to Watch
Saquon Barkley -- The Penn State running back is making his case to be in the Heisman Trophy discussion. Barkley has started the season with 86 carries for 574 yards and four touchdowns. He has also been the team’s leading receiver, hauling in 27 passes for 386 yards and two more scores.
It has been an incredible start for Barkley and it seems unlikely Northwestern will be able to rein him in. If Barkley keeps at this pace there will be a lot of awards for him after the season. Northwestern’s defense has been decent this season, allowing 25.3 points per game, but it will be hard-pressed to keep Barkley and the Nittany Lions in check in this one.
Lookahead Situation
Penn State can’t take this one too lightly, but could be susceptible to do so knowing what’s ahead. The Nittany Lions will enter the meat of their schedule in the two weeks after this. Penn State will face off against No. 7 Michigan on Oct. 21 and No. 10 Ohio State on Oct. 28.
Those two games will go a long way in determining the Big Ten Conference champion as well as give one of the teams a leg up for a berth in the College Football Playoff.
With those critical games lying in wait, it’s very possible the Nittany Lions aren’t in the perfect frame of mind for this one, and as such big favorites, that’s a concern.
Penn State isn’t expected to lose this game, but allowing Northwestern to remain close would be bad news for its chance to cover the spread.
Free ATS Pick
Penn State will really need to play well to pull away in this one. Northwestern has some talent, but it is facing such a great defense that it’s going to be hard to consistently reach the end zone.
The home field advantage will help the Wildcats stay in this game early on, and while the Nittany Lions should eventually pull away, it’s not going to be enough to cover. Take Northwestern to play well enough to keep this one competitive.
The “under” is the call in a game that figures to be a defensive battle in one of those classic Big Ten matchups. Penn State is going to have to earn this win.
College Football Odds: Penn State 27, Northwestern 17
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