Penn State Football prediction and Big Ten picks ATS
Penn State football a heavy favorite as they host the Maryland Terrapins this Saturday at 3:30 eastern time on the Big Ten Network.
After going 1-2 last week with our picks, we are back for another Saturday slate of Big Ten action, highlighted by the 0-2 Penn State Football playing host to the Maryland Terrapins. There is no marquee matchup in the conference this week, but we can still make some money!
Here’s a look at our against the spread predictions:
Record To Date: 3-4
Penn State -26.5 vs Maryland
I know, this is a LOT of points to lay with a Penn State football team that has yet to win a game and has yet to ever look like the team we thought we would see in 2020.
Yet, lets be real, this is Maryland and this is the perfect “get right” opponent for the Nittany Lions. Penn State football has outscored Maryland 163-6 in there last three meetings, yet to surrender a touchdown to the Terrapins.
Maryland is coming off a dramatic 45-44 overtime victory over Minnesota last Friday, in which quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa threw for 394 yards, three touchdowns and ran for another 59 yards and two scores. Tagovailoa will be a challenge for the Penn State defense, but I cant help but think the offensive explosion by the Terps was due in large part to just how bad the Minnesota defense is. The Gophers have given up 1,156 yards and 94 points in two games, after being dismantled by Michigan 49-24 in week one.
Penn State’s passing offense showed signs of life in the second half against Ohio State, and as quarterback Sean Clifford and junior wideout Jahan Dotson connected on three passing touchdowns.
Penn State should dominate the Terps at the line of scrimmage and run all over a Maryland defense that has given up 587 yards on the ground in two games. Expect big gains on the ground to open up the passing game for Sean Clifford and company, leading to a big offensive day for the Nittany Lions. I think this is the game freshman wide receiver Parker Washington has his breakout performance.