Bowling Green Falcons (1-0) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0)
September 7, 2024 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: Penn State Nittany Lions -34.5 / Bowling Green Falcons +34.5; Over/Under: +49.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Bowling Green Falcons and the Penn State Nittany Lions meet in week 2 college football action from Beaver Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Penn State vs Bowling Green Prediction.
Bowling Green Recap
The Bowling Green Falcons come into this one looking to pull off a massive upset to build on their season-opening 41-17 win over Fordham last time out. After this matchup, the Falcons will take on a second consecutive ranked opponent when they head to College Station to take on Texas A&M and then will meet Old Dominion.
Stewart Leads Charge For Falcons
Connor Bazelak threw for 168 yards on 15 of 22 passing while also rushing for 27 yards and a touchdown. Terion Stewart led the Falcons on the ground with 14 carries for 161 yards with 3 TDs and Lucian Anderson III had 27 rushing yards and a TD of his own. Harold Fannin Jr. led Bowling Green with 6 grabs for 67 yards while Jamal Johnson had 4 receptions for 54 yards and Malcolm Johnson Jr. added 3 grabs for 33 yards. Justin Pegues also added a 100-yard kick return TD on the opening kick of the game.
On defense, Joseph Sipp Jr. led the Falcons with 8 total tackles including 6 solo tackles along with a sack while Anthony Hawkins and CJ Brown each had 7 total tackles, with Hawkins posting a pair of sacks. Charles Rosser added a sack as well for Bowling Green in the win.
Why the Bowling Green Falcons will win
- Bowling Green has won six of its last eight games.
- Bowling Green has covered the spread in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
Penn State Recap
The Penn State Nittany Lions will try to pick up another win here after a big 34-12 win over West Virginia in their last matchup. After this matchup, the Nittany Lions will square off against a second straight MAC opponent when they welcome Kent State to Happy Valley. Following that matchup, Illinois will come to visit.
Allar Stars In Marquee Showdown
Drew Allar threw for 216 yards and 3 touchdowns on 11 of 17 passing while Beau Pribula also threw for a 19-yard touchdown. Nicholas Singleton rushed for a team-high 114 yards and a touchdown while Harrison Wallace III had a team-high 5 receptions for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns. Omari Evans added a pair of catches for 55 yards while Tyler Warren and Kaytron Allen each had a TD grab as well in the win.
On defense, Kevin Winston Jr. had a team-high 12 total tackles while Zane Durant and Smith Vilbert each had a sack in the victory.
Why the Penn State Nittany Lions will win
- Penn State has won each of its last 25 games against non-conference opponents at Beaver Stadium.
- Bowling Green has lost each of its last 10 matches when playing with a rest advantage.
- Penn State has covered the spread in 14 of its last 15 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Bowling Green has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four matches when playing with a rest advantage.
Penn State vs Bowling Green Prediction
I’m looking at Penn State here. It’s a huge number, and Bowling Green’s expected to be a decent team in the MAC this season, but the Nittany Lions just beat up and bullied a really solid West Virginia team in the opener and James Franklin has never been shy about keeping his foot on the gas. There also isn’t really a look-ahead factor here for Penn State with another MAC opponent on deck in Kent State. I think Bowling Green’s just in the wrong place at the wrong time and think that Penn State routs the Falcons here. Give me Penn State.
