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Penn State at Illinois: Prediction Roundtable

By Barry Leonard Jr.

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 15: Brandon Polk #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Miles Daniel #39 of the Kent State Golden Flashes during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 15, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 15: Brandon Polk #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Miles Daniel #39 of the Kent State Golden Flashes during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 15, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 08: Mac Hippenhammer #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with C.J. Thorpe #69 of the Penn State Nittany Lions after catching a 11 yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the fourth quarter on September 8, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 08: Mac Hippenhammer #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with C.J. Thorpe #69 of the Penn State Nittany Lions after catching a 11 yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the fourth quarter on September 8, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Dylan Burd, Contributor

I can’t help but dread this Friday night game in Illinois for many reasons.

The first is that it’s on a Friday night. The second is that it’s against Illinois, one of the worst teams in the Big Ten. And the third is that it starts at 9 p.m. ET. However, all fans needs to think about the fact that the Friday night game gives the Nittany Lions an extra day to prepare for Ohio State next week, so that’s the positive.

I expect Penn State to dominant this football game, as Lovie Smith’s Fighting Illini are the Rutgers of the Big Ten West. Trace McSorley will play great again, as I think he’ll have four-plus touchdowns again.

Tommy Stevens, who seems to be healthy, should also see some time late in the game at quarterback. You’ll definitely see a ton of backups at the end of this game, just as you did during Kent State. Kent State only lost to Illinois by seven points, so that should give you a good idea about just how bad Illinois is. The spread is Penn State -28, and I think they’ll cover that easily.

Penn State: 41
Illinois: 7

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