Penn State vs Purdue Odds: Veteran Quarterbacks Highlight Early Big Ten Showdown
Purdue Looking to be Latest Big Ten Team to Spring Early Upset
Defenses for Purdue and Penn State Looking to Take Strides in 2022
This is a strange partnership considering that Penn State and Purdue might be in the same conference, but have played just twice in the last six seasons.
Penn State must have taken notice that in the first game of 2022 featuring a pair of Big Ten teams, the underdog Northwestern squad pulled the upset against Nebraska. The Penn State vs Purdue odds lists the host Nittany Lions as a 3.5-point favorite so Penn State will look to avoid a similar fate.
The teams finished fifth and sixth in the Big Ten in total defense a season ago with the Nittany Lions allowing 353.6 yards per game compared to 365.2 yards allowed by the Boilermakers.
Penn State’s defense was on the field for 36 fewer plays than Purdue. Both teams lost key defensive players to the NFL, so there is work to be done on that side of the ball.
A concern for the Nittany Lions is protecting the quarterback as Penn State allowed more sacks (34) than any other team in the Big Ten. Purdue gave up 29 sacks. The Boilermakers attempted 89 more passes than Penn State in 2021. Purdue has dropped three of its last five season openers. Penn State is 5-1 in its last six season openers.
According to the college football lines, Penn State (+10000) is tied for 14th in the odds to win the national title. Purdue comes in at +20000.
Penn State standings football (+800) is third in the odds to win the Big Ten East Division title. Purdue (+600) is fourth in the odds to be the Big Ten West Division title.
Penn State vs Purdue Game Information
- Game: Penn State Nittany Lions (7-6, 4-5 in the Big East in 2021) vs Purdue Boilermakers (9-4, 6-3)
- Location: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana
- Day/Time:
- Television: FOX
No Lack of Star Power for Penn State
Quarterback Sean Clifford and safety Ji’Ayir Brown give Penn State stars on both sides of the ball.
Clifford passed for 3,107 yards with 21 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions. He also finished third on the Nittany Lions with 99 rushing attempts. He’ll have to adjust without leading receiver Jahan Dotson, a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Parker Washington could become the next great Penn State receiver.
Washington had 13 catches for 200 yards in the games against Ohio State and Michigan in 2021. Former Western Kentucky receiver Mitchell Tinsley (87 catches, 1,402 receiving yards in 2021) could be another top target.
Five Penn State players off the defense were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, the highest total since five defensive players out of Penn State were taken in the 1992 draft.
Safety Ji’Ayir Brown (74 tackles, six interceptions, five pass breakups), linebacker Curtis Jacobs (61 tackles, six tackles for loss), and cornerback Joey Porter (51 tackles, four pass breakups) are the top returning players on defense. Getting 325-pound defensive tackle P.J. Mustipher, who was limited to six games in 2021, back will be a key.
O’Connell is hoping to save his best for last for Purdue
Aidan O’Connell is returning for his sixth season. O’Connell completed at least 65% of his passes in 11 of 12 regular-season games. One concern is that in Purdue’s first three losses, he had three touchdown passes compared to six interceptions. The interceptions tended to come in bunches with 10 of the 12 he threw taking place in four games.
Defensive end George Karlaftis and receiver David Bell were both top-100 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and they leave huge shoes to fill.
Purdue added a pair of receivers from rival Iowa. Charlie Jones was fourth on Iowa with 323 receiving yards a season ago. Tyrone Tracy, had 36 receptions during the 2019 season before seeing his role diminish in the next two years.
Kydran Jenkins was tied for the team lead with five sacks in 2021 and Branson Deen is another player in the front seven to keep an eye on.
Former Indiana defensive back Reese Taylor is among the newcomers on defense. Another transfer to watch is defensive lineman Cole Brevard, who comes in from Penn State. Brevard facing his former team is just one of the storylines to consider when looking at the Penn State vs Purdue odds.
Penn State vs Purdue Head-to-Head
Penn State has won the last nine games in the series against Purdue. The teams haven’t played since 2019 when the Nittany Lions won 35-7. Penn State is 5-3-1 against the spread in those nine games.
Just two of the last 12 games between the NCAAF teams have finished over the total.
The Nittany Lions have won four straight road games in the series and that includes a 62-24 win in 2016.
Penn State vs Purdue Injury Report
For Penn State, DE Zuriah Fisher is out indefinitely with a knee NCAAF injury.
Defensive lineman Branson Deen (hamstring) is questionable, and defensive backs Cory Trice (knee), Jalen Graham (hamstring), and Jamari Brown are probable for Purdue.
Defensive tackle Damarjhe Lewis (ankle) and tight end Garrett Miller (knee) are out for the season for the Boilermakers.
Penn State vs Purdue Betting Analysis
Quarterbacks Penn State’s Clifford and Purdue’s O’Connell are two of the four Big Ten quarterbacks who attempted at least 400 passes a season ago.
They both lost their top receivers to the NFL. Their passing offenses look much different. Penn State is more likely to take shots down the field while Purdue favors a high-percentage, move the chains passing attack.
Penn State lost its last four games decided by seven points or less a season ago which certainly prevented Penn State from finishing higher in the 2021 Big Ten standings. Purdue was 3-1 in one-score games in 2021 so keep that in mind when looking at the Penn State vs Purdue odds.
Something else to consider, Penn State is 10-4-1 against the spread in its last 15 games against Purdue. It is worth noting that 12 of Penn State’s last 15 games finished under the total.
Purdue has covered against the college football point spread in five of its last six contests and is 4-1 in its last five games against Big Ten opponents.
For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
