2023 Penn State Nittany Lions Future Odds
The Pressure's On for Drew Allar & Penn State
The Penn State Nittany Lions went 11-2 overall and 7-2 in the Big Ten last year. Penn State would be the favorite to win a conference title in any conference not named the Big Ten or SEC. However, they’re in the Big Ten and can never find ways to defeat Michigan and Ohio State.
The Nittany Lions are typically the third-best team in the Big Ten East. It’s hard to make the NCAAF playoffs with two losses on the season.
But there’s a different vibe around Penn State’s team this year. The offense might finally have a quarterback that can take them to the promised land under head coach James Franklin.
Penn State has won 11 games in four of the last seven seasons with Franklin as head coach. They’ve headed places, but Penn State fans are getting restless. Could this be the year that Penn State makes the CFP Playoffs?
Let’s take a look at the Penn State Nittany Lions future odds for the 2023 season.
Penn State Nittany Lions At A Glance
| Odds to Win | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
| National Championship | +2200 | +2200 |
| Conference | +550 | +550 |
| Regular Season Win Total | 9.5 (o-140, u+120) | 9.5 (o-140, u+120) |
| To Make Playoffs (if applicable) | Yes +300 | No -400 |
It’s Drew Allar’s Team
The Nittany Lions received great quarterback play out of Sean Clifford over the last few years. But the Nittany Lions have never had a quarterback like Allar.
Allar was a former five-star recruit who played a little bit last season. He added 344 yards in the air and threw for four touchdowns without throwing an interception.
After learning behind Sean Clifford, who is now in the NFL, Allar should be more prepared for his sophomore season. Penn State fans are calling him the franchise. There’s a ton of pressure on Allar’s shoulders, but for now, he’s enjoying it. He’s been in many podcasts and speaks confidently when talking to the press.
Allar won’t have many returning wide receivers from last year. But Dante Cephas, from Kent State, was a significant get in the transfer portal. He should shine with Allar.
The running game should also continue to be consistent. Nicholas Singleton is projected to be one of the best running backs in the Big Ten this year. He rushed for 1,061 yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season. Singleton averaged 6.8 yards per carry, mostly playing against Big Ten talent.
Questions in The Secondary
Penn State lost Ji’Ayir Brown to the 49ers and Joey Porter Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brown led the team in tackles and interceptions, and Porter Jr. was labeled as one of the best cornerbacks in college football last season.
The Nittany Lions will have to replace that production from last season. Kalen King projects to be a solid corner for Penn State this season, and there’s still some experience in that group this year.
The pass rush will feature Abdul Carter, one of the best outside linebackers in college football. He earned 6.5 sacks last season and will play alongside Chop Robinson, who added 5.5 sacks.
Carter, Robinson, and Adisa Isaac can get to the quarterback quickly for the defense.
National Championship Odds: Everything Must Go Right!
Penn State will be in the top ten of college football this year. The team has enough talent to earn a college football playoff spot and win the College Football Playoff.
But everything will have to go right.
The Nittany Lions won’t make the National Championship if they lose to Ohio State and Michigan. And that’s typically what happens.
The non-conference slate seems easy. They’ll face West Virginia, Delaware, and UMass. Therefore, the two games to watch are Penn State’s road game against Ohio State and a home game against Michigan. If the Nittany Lions win at least one of those two games (and win out the rest of the way), Penn State could sneak into the College Football Playoff.
The Penn State Nittany Lions future odds to win the championship are at +2200. Those are some enticing odds for the amount of talent on Penn State’s roster.
Conference Odds: Can Penn State Finally Upset Michigan & Ohio State?
I don’t think Penn State has a better roster than Ohio State and Michigan. But many experts and scouts have suggested that Drew Allar is Heisman material.
A team with a Heisman candidate is usually in the conference championship game. It’s just super difficult for Penn State to play in the Big Ten East.
The Big Ten East winner plays the Big Ten West winner in the Big Ten Championship. But the three best teams in the conference are all in the Big Ten East. That’s why Penn State is sitting at +550 to win the Big Ten Championship, behind Ohio State and Michigan. It’s still one of the best college football bets for Penn State regarding value.
Regular Season Wins: Another 11-Win Season is Likely
I’ve already acknowledged Penn State’s non-conference slate. The Nittany Lions will play West Virginia, Delaware, and UMass all at home. Those will be three wins for the Nittany Lions.
They’ll have a road matchup against Illinois to begin Big Ten play. While Illinois made some strides last year, Penn State has made even more significant strides this year. They’ll cruise past Illinois at home and provide enough offensive in their next game against Iowa at home.
Penn State’s matchup against Northwestern should also be a piece of cake. Once Penn State gets to their matchup against Ohio State, the Nittany Lions should be undefeated.
The October 21 matchup between Penn State and Ohio State should be highly anticipated. But with the Buckeyes at home, I’ll give Ohio State that one. Penn State will defeat Indiana and Maryland to go 8-1 into their matchup against Michigan.
With the Nittany Lions at home, I like Penn State’s chances of earning a significant win against Michigan on November 11 for the 9th win. Penn State would finish the regular season with wins against Rutgers and Michigan State.
It’ll be another double-digit win total under James Franklin this year regarding the Penn State Nittany Lions future odds. This is the year that the Nittany Lions at least jump Michigan in the NCAAF standings.
Follow us on Twitter
