Penn State Football Odds, Lines & Analysis for Season

Perhaps no school benefits from the Big Ten’s expansion and elimination of divisions this college football season than Penn State.

In recent seasons, the Nittany Lions were arguably the third-best team in the conference but stuck in the same division as powerhouses Ohio State and Michigan. That’s no longer the case.

No Big Ten title game or playoff.

To reach Playoff: Yes -140, no +110
To win Big Ten: +500

Big Ten Adittions

While Penn State no longer is stuck in division with OSU and Michigan, the Big Ten certainly will be much tougher this year with the additions of Oregon, USC, UCLA and Washington.

But the College Football Playoff also expands to 12 teams so PSU could lose twice (if good losses) and still make it.

Last Year

Despite Coach James Franklin’s .724 winning percentage since 2016 – ranking sixth among current FBS coaches – the Franklin-led Nittany Lions are 4-16 against Ohio State and Michigan.

The Nittany Lions finished 10-3 last year, with both regular-season losses to the Buckeyes and Wolverines.

PSU then was beaten by No. 11 Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl, 38-25. The Rebs gained 540 yards against Penn State, which led the nation with its average of 223 yards allowed.

It was the most yards and points allowed by the Nittany Lions last season.

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MyBookie NCAA Football Odds & Lines to Win

Drew Allar

Allar began the season with 251 pass attempts without an interception, the sixth-most to start a season since 2000 in the nation.

He became the only Big Ten quarterback since 2000 to start a season with 175+ pass attempts and no interceptions.

Allar’s Stats

Overall, Allar posted the lowest interception percentage (0.51) in a single season in Penn State history.

He finished third in school history in a season in touchdown passes (25), fifth in touchdowns responsible for (29), sixth in completions (233), seventh in attempts (389), ninth in completion percentage (59.9) and tied for ninth in 200+ yard passing games (7).

Additions to the Nittany Lions

The 1-2 returning running back punch of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen is as good as any in the country and they combine for 2,000 yards if the passing game keeps defenses from selling out against the run.

The receiving corps lost KeAndre Lambert-Smith to Auburn, but Tyler Warren is an excellent tight end who caught 34 passes with seven scores last year.

In addition, former Ohio State wideout Julian Fleming transferred in.

Andy Kotelnicki

There is a new offensive coordinator in Andy Kotelnicki after Mike Yurcich was fired following last year’s loss to Michigan when 10 Nittany Lions scored only 15 points and managed just 238 yards of offense.

Kotelnicki spent the past three seasons as Kansas’ offensive coordinator, including the 2023 season as the associate head coach.

He played a key role in the Kansas turnaround, winning 16 games in his first three seasons after the program reached 16 wins total in the previous nine seasons.

Over those past three years, Kotelnicki’s Kansas offense was terrific, ranking 12th in the country in 20+ yard plays (8.3%), 15th in 30+ yard plays (3.89%) and 11th in 40+ yard plays (2.12%) during that span. Additionally, KU ranked 10th in the country in 15+ yard pass plays (20.97%).

Penn State Defense

The defense also will look different as after two successful years as Penn State’s defensive coordinator, Manny Diaz took the top job at Duke Six starters from the 2023 unit, one of the nation’s best, entered the NFL Draft.

Penn State led the country in sacks (49) and tackles for loss (111) and helped allow the fewest rushing yards per game (75.54) last year.

Nittany Lions Defense Coordinator

Former Indiana coach Tom Allen is the new DC.

In his eight-year tenure with the Hoosiers, IU’s defenses were known for getting off the field on third downs, ranking in the top five in the Big Ten on third down in five seasons and in the top 15 nationally twice.

The Hoosiers ranked sixth in the Big Ten in third down defense (36.6%) during the eight-year span.

West Virginia vs Penn State

Penn State opens the season with a very tough test at West Virginia on Aug. 31 and hosts MAC schools Bowling Green and Kent State in non-conference action.

In the Big Ten, the Lions avoid Michigan and Oregon but visit USC and Wisconsin and host Ohio State and Washington.