West Virginia vs Penn State Odds: The Nittany Lions Heavy Favorites Against Former Rivals

Former Rivals Penn State, West Virginia Set to Meet Once Again

There was a time when Penn State and West Virginia played on an annual basis. They haven’t played since 1992 so there is no recent history to help those trying to make sense of the West Virginia vs Penn State odds.

Penn State doesn’t get the hype of Big Ten rivals Michigan and Ohio State, but this is not going to be a fun team to meet up with this season with returning playmakers on both sides of the ball.

The Mountaineers will have their work cut out for them to cover as 20.5-point underdogs. Plenty of the early money has been coming in on the host Nittany Lions.

West Virginia was 6-6 against the college football spread a season ago and 2-3 as the road underdog.

Penn State was 3-2-1 as a home favorite and 9-3-1 ATS in all games.

Only eight teams have better odds to win the national title than Penn State’s mark of +2200. West Virginia is well back at +25000 in the championship odds.

When looking at the college football rankings, Penn State is seventh in both the Associated Press and coaches polls. West Virginia is unranked coming into the season.

Mountaineers Looking to Get Defensive

West Virginia is one of two Big 12 teams to average less than 400 yards of total offense. The number dropped from 399 to 378.5 against teams from the Power-5 conferences. Keep that in mind when looking at the West Virginia vs Penn State odds.

It will be a challenge heading into the matchup with Penn State.

West Virginia looked to upgrade its group of pass catchers through the transfer portal with the additions of receivers Devin Carter from North Carolina State, Ja’Shaun Poke from Kansas State and EJ Horton from West Virginia as well as tight end Kole Taylor from West Virginia.

Will that be enough for the Mountaineers to mount enough offense to remain in this game?

Ready to Hit the Ground Running

If Penn State only returned last year’s freshman phenom Nicholas Singleton, the Nittany Lions would have one of the best running games around. However, Kaytron Allen also returns. That duo ran for 22 touchdowns and nearly 2000 yards as freshmen. Don’t be surprised to see them top those numbers.

Penn State was 4-0 when Singleton had at least 100 rushing yards in 2022. That is something to consider when looking at the West Virginia vs Penn State odds.

Penn State 10th in the Big Ten in the transfer classes.

Penn State added Mississippi State cornerback Audavion Collins and Old Dominion Alonzo Ford on defense.

The biggest addition might be Kent State receiver Dante Cephas. He added 15.5 yards on 48 catches in nine games last season. Receiver Malik McClain arrives from Florida State. Not that the Nittany Lions needed any more running backs, but they did add Minnesota’s Trey Potts.

Drew Allar is ready to take over at quarterback. He has all the talent needed to succeed and this will be his first opportunity as the unquestioned starter.

Last Meeting

The teams haven’t met since 1992 when Penn State won 40-26. Penn State outscored West Virginia 91-32 in the last two meetings.

The last time West Virginia won in the series came with a 51-30 in 1988.

When looking back at the NCAAF scores, keep in mind that West Virginia hasn’t won at Penn State since 1954.

What to Expect

Look for Penn State to run early and run often as Singleton is the type of back who can lead a team to a national title. He is priced at +6000 in the Heisman Trophy odds and only Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins of Ole Miss have been odds among running backs.

Drew Allar came to Penn State with plenty of hype and this is a time for him to show what all the chatter was about.

Running back C.J. Donaldson is likely the best offensive player for a West Virginia team coming off a 5-7 season

The total has gone under in six of West Virginia’s last nine games as well as in each of the last six road games. Four of the last five contests versus Big Ten teams finished under the total.

Penn State is 6-0-1 against the spread in its last seven games. The Nittany Lions have won their last 11 games played in September and things are pointing towards the trend continuing for seventh-ranked Penn State.

For NCAAF betting news, betting analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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