After Rutgers football’s ugly 31-0 loss to Nebraska at home, the Scarlet Knights are listed as 21.5-point underdogs in their upcoming matchup on the road against Penn State, with the over-under for the game being listed at 48.5 points. All betting lines are according to FanDuel.
The large spread against a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team reflects the nose dive of a season Rutgers finds itself in. The Knights are currently mired in a four-game losing streak with an offense that is missing some of its best
talents due to injury and a defense that has only marginally improved compared to last season. The Nittany Lions, on the other hand, have been surging as of late after a rough start to the year. After starting the year 3-4, Penn State has rattled off three straight wins to secure bowl eligibility.
The Nittany Lions’ wins have come with a resurgence of their running game, as they have produced a 100-yard rusher in each of their past three games, while only having one game with a 100-yard rusher before that. Carsen Hanson has been the running back largely responsible for this resurgence, as he recorded 96 rushing yards against Purdue, 119 at Washington and 126 against Minnesota. Quarterback Rocco Becht has looked good this season as well, averaging around 216 yards per game and two passing touchdowns per game.
On the Nittany Lions defense, linebacker Tony Rojas stands out as a dynamic playmaker who has recorded 65 tackles and five sacks, as well as two interceptions so far this season. Rojas could pose a major problem for the Knights, who have struggled to keep the pressure off their quarterbacks all season. In the secondary, Josiah Zayas is a player to watch out for, as he has 27 total tackles, two passes defended, and two interceptions so far this season.
Penn State will likely come into this game licking its chops and ready to pounce on a severely talent-depleted Rutgers team. The Nittany Lions have everything to gain, especially recruiting- and resume-wise, by pulling off dominating wins against their final two opponents, Rutgers and Maryland, and flexing their regional dominance in their first year under new head coach Matt Campbell. The question, especially when it comes to the betting lines, will be how much resistance the Knights can muster.
Rutgers vs. Penn State will kick off this Saturday, 11/21 at 3:30 in Happy Valley. Live coverage for the game will be available on Fox Sports 1.
