The Penn State Nittany Lions and the Northwestern Wildcats meet Saturday in college football action from Ryan Field. Penn State last played Iowa over the weekend. In that one the Nittany Lions rolled in a shutout victory. As for Northwestern, they’re coming off a game against Minnesota back on Saturday. The Wildcats would go on to power out a three-point win. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Penn State Nittany Lions 

The Nittany Lions didn’t have a ton of issues in their first three games. First came a 38-15 win over West Virginia in the opener, then a 63-7 rout of Delaware the next weekend. Penn State’s first road game of the year went well, turning into a 30-13 victory over Illinois. Nittany Lions QB Drew Allar threw for 208 yards in that one, and Kaytron Allen added 54 rush yards with a score. 

In the Iowa matchup, the Nittany Lions scored points in every quarter on the way to a dominant 31-0 blowout victory. Allar had 166 yards with four scores this time, and Allen led the rush again with 72 yards. KeAndre Lambert-Smith put up 66 yards and a TD on eight catches. 

Penn State Nittany Lions Team Facts

Penn State has won each of its last 22 September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Penn State has covered the spread in each of its last 11 games.
Penn State has won the first half in each of its last eight games against conference opponents.
Penn State has won the first quarter in each of its last five games against conference opponents.
Five of Penn State’s last six road games against conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Northwestern Wildcats 

Over on the Wildcats’ side, they’ve had some rough games against solid competition so far this year. Northwestern lost to Rutgers 24-7 in their opener but then managed to blow out UTEP 38-7 in game two. The next weekend was a 38-14 loss to Duke, however. In that one Northwestern QB Ben Bryant put up 123 yards with a TD and a pick. 

In the Minnesota matchup, Northwestern was in trouble with a 31-10 deficit going into the fourth quarter. The Wildcats rallied from there however and won 37-34 in overtime for a great comeback. Bryant logged 396 yards and four scores, while Cam Porter took the rushing lead on 56 yards and a TD. Bryce Kirtz posted 215 yards with two touchdowns off 10 catches as well. 

Northwestern Wildcats Team Facts

Northwestern has lost each of its last seven games against AP-ranked teams.
The home team has covered the spread in each of Northwestern’s last four games.
Northwestern has lost the first half in each of its last five games against conference opponents.
Each of Northwestern’s last five games as an underdog against top-15 AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Northwestern was one of only six FBS teams to lose 4+ games when leading after Q1 last season.
Northwestern was the only FBS team to remain winless in home games last season (0-6) (min. 8 games).
Penn State ranked 1st among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage last season (.846).
Penn State ranked T3rd among FBS teams for H1 win percentage last season (.846).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to take a stab on Northwestern. The Wildcats will have their hands full in this matchup, but if all goes well I think they can keep a cover pace. Northwestern put up 492 yards (400 passing) and 25 first downs in their win over Minnesota this past weekend, but the eight penalties for 87 yards didn’t help matters. Defensively Northwestern gave up 244 rush yards and had no takeaways but also held the Gophers to just 4-of-14 on third-down tries. 

As for Penn State, there’s not much to complain about right now. The Lions have scored 30 or more points in each game so far and should put up a healthy total here as well. That said, I think Northwestern can keep a cover pace if they play to their capabilities.