Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0)
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Penn State Nittany Lions September 28 2024 – The intense battle will feature the undefeated Illinois Fighting Illini versus the yet to be defeated Penn State Nittany Lions, and this will be the most followed Week 5 clash of the NCAAF season 2024. This particular game is scheduled on a windy Saturday night in the sense that there is bound to be a lot of action not only for the fans of the game but also for the authorized betting websites, as there are two great teams with a desire to keep their winning streak, especially in terms of wins.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Penn State Nittany Lions September 28 2024 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Beaver Stadium |
| TV: | NBC |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Illinois Fighting Illini | +700 | +19 (-110) | 47.5 Over -115 |
| Penn State Nittany Lions | -1000 | -19 (-110) | 47.5 Under -105 |
The odds highlight Penn State as the significant favorite at home with a hefty -19-point spread. Betting trends and past performances suggest a defensive game, given the Under, on 47.5 points, is priced less aggressively. Illinois, with a tempting +700 moneyline, may catch the eye of risk-tolerant bettors banking on an upset.
Luke Altmyer QB vs. Drew Allar QB
Luke Altmyer has managed to be extremely effective with the ball, as his 71.4% completion rate and a 171.8 passer rating would suggest. This is because he has ten touchdown passes and has not thrown an interception, which is a perfect example of how he manages to read the situations in a game. But I think the pressure from Penn State defense may just be his biggest test, which would test his calmness during heated moments.
On the other side, Penn State’s Drew Allar is not only in the conversation of quarterbacks, he raises it with an extraordinary 218.3 Passer rating and 12.6 yards per pass attempt. Even though he was sacked three times and threw one interception, his style will be risk-taking, which may have a say-no to Illinois’ defense. Allar has a way of making plays, which includes hurling the ball downfield; this may be an x-factor in this slugfest, which has all the traits of a classic quarterback shootout.
Illinois’ Ground and Air Attack
Illinois’s offense, led by Luke Altmyer’s arm and complemented by Kaden Feagin’s rush, presents a balanced threat. Feagin, with 4.5 yards per rush and three touchdowns, along with Pat Bryant’s receiving prowess (309 yards, 6 TDs), provides the Illini with multiple ways to penetrate defenses. This versatility will be crucial in finding gaps within Penn State’s formidable defensive line.
Nittany Lions’ Offensive Dynamics
Penn State counters with Nicholas Singleton, whose impressive 8.5 yards per rush illuminate his explosive potential on the ground. Tight end Tyler Warren, not just a safety valve but a genuine playmaker, extends the field for Allar, giving the Lions varied offensive channels to exploit Illinois’s defense, which will have to stretch their coverage to limit Penn State’s multifaceted attack.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
Illinois’s recent form, 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games, shows their resilience against the spread, particularly on the road where they are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games. However, their history against Penn State, 1-4 both SU and ATS in their last 5 encounters, paints a sobering picture for Illini fans.
Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends
Penn State’s betting trends are equally telling, with a strong 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games. At home, their dominance is more pronounced, standing at 10-1 SU in their last 11 games at Beaver Stadium. This consistency makes them a reliable bet, especially when favored heavily.
Illinois vs. Penn State Betting Previews
This game, which appeared overly one-sided in favor of Penn State, however, tells a different story of possibilities and strategies. For Illinois, the most important focus should be to get under the skin of Penn State in the opening minutes, thus making the largish spread dangerous to bettors. More importantly, Penn State will seek to demonstrate their control of the court from the first minutes, making the under-on-game total points very attractive considering both teams defensive capabilities.
All in all, it may be true that if there will be an absolute winner in the match, it is more likely to be Penn State, but the excitement is in finding out if Illinois will manage to cover the spread or will the total go over, which is not entirely unfathomable due to an outburst of one of the sides. For those who are keen on finding value, covering the spread with Illinois and looking forward to betting cautiously on the over/under is also recommended as this will add to the fun of having an expert NCAAF prediction which understands that college football is not as predictable as most people think.
Score Prediction: Penn State Nittany Lions 30, Illinois Fighting Illini 17.
