Penn State vs. Illinois odds, line: 2021 college football picks, Week 8 predictions from model on 22-9 run

Illinois and No. 7 Penn State meet on Saturday afternoon for a showdown between Massive Ten rivals. The Combating Illini (2-5) have struggled this season and misplaced 5 of their final six video games. Illinois hopes to get issues again on observe because it returns to the sphere from a bye week. Penn State (5-1) can be coming off a bye week. The Nittany Lions suffered a tricky 23-20 defeat by the hands of No. 11 Iowa in Week 6. 

Kickoff from Beaver Stadium is ready for midday ET. The Nittany Lions are favored by 23 factors within the newest Penn State vs. Illinois odds from Caesars Sportsbook, whereas the over-under for complete factors is ready at 45.5. Earlier than locking in any Illinois vs. Penn State picks, you need to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Mannequin simulates each FBS college football sport 10,000 instances. Over the previous five-plus years, the proprietary laptop mannequin has generated a shocking revenue of virtually $3,700 for $100 gamers on its top-rated college football picks in opposition to the unfold. It additionally enters Week 8 of the 2021 season on a 22-9 run on all top-rated faculty soccer facet picks. Anybody who has adopted it has seen large returns.

Now, the mannequin has locked in on Penn State vs. Illinois and revealed its picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Listed here are the college football odds and traits for Illinois vs. Penn State:  

• Illinois vs. Penn State unfold: Penn State -23
• Illinois vs. Penn State over-under: 45.5 factors
• Illinois vs. Penn State cash line: Penn State -2800, Illinois +1200
• PSU: Nittany Lions are 7-1 ATS of their final eight video games as a favourite
• ILL: Beneath is 5-0 in Combating Illini final 5 video games general

Featured Sport | Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Illinois Combating Illini

Why Penn State can cowl

Penn State’s protection has been stifling up to now. It’s ranked first within the convention and permits 13.8 factors per sport. The Nittany Lions additionally rank fifth in complete protection with 311.7 yards per sport. Penn State has 4 video games by which it has allowed fewer than 20 factors. This group has made loads of performs of their opponents’ backfield, recording 38 tackles for loss. 

Redshirt senior defensive finish Arnold Ebiketie leads Penn State in tackles for loss (9) and sacks (4). Junior linebacker Brandon Smith is second on the group in complete tackles with 37, together with 22 solo. Smith can be second in tackles for loss (5). The Nittany Lion protection has the personnel to trigger havoc in Illinois’ backfield. 

Why Illinois can cowl

The Illinois dashing assault is ranked eighth within the Massive Ten. The Illini common 164.1 dashing yards per sport and are led by sophomore Chase Brown. Brown has the eighth-most dashing yards within the Massive Ten with 414 yards on 60 carries and three scores. He averages a team-high 82.8 yards per sport.

Freshman tailback Josh McCray has are available in and made performs as effectively. He’s second on the group in dashing yards with 334 yards on 63 carries and one rating. In opposition to Purdue, McCray had 24 carries for 156 yards with 6.5 yards per carry. Going up in opposition to Penn State’s rush protection will probably be a tall process however Illinois will assault it head-on. 

The right way to make Illinois vs. Penn State picks

The mannequin says to go beneath the entire because the groups mix for 45 factors within the simulations. It additionally says one facet of the unfold hits effectively over 50 % of the time. You can see which side to back at SportsLine.

So who wins Penn State vs. Illinois? And which facet of the unfold is hitting effectively over 50 % of the time? Visit SportsLine right now to see which side of the spread to back, all from the advanced model on a 22-9 run on its top-rated college football side picks, and discover out.