Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Penn State Nittany Lions 9/28/24 – With week five of the NCAA football season coming up, it brings on a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0), who are yet to register any loss, and the Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0), who are also undefeated where it is inevitable that this is a crucial clash. In this regard, it is little wonder that sports fans would want to watch this matchup live on NBC, as they would not want to miss one of the season’s best games. This clash draws particular interest from those involved in the best online betting as both teams look to maintain their perfect records.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Penn State Nittany Lions 9/28/24
| When: | Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 7:30 PM ETE |
|---|---|
| Where: | Beaver Stadium |
| TV: | NBC |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fighting Illini | +17.5 (-122) | 48.5 over (-111) | +600 |  |
| Nittany Lions | -17.5 (-110) | 48.5 under (-111) | -901 | |
| ||||
The games keep getting bigger and better.#Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/pDxeYMcdfV
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 23, 2024
The betting odds starkly contrast the two teams, with Penn State heavily favored. The spread is daunting -17.5 for Penn State, reflecting their perceived dominance and home-field advantage. With the total set at 48.5, the market expects a relatively high-scoring affair, although both teams have shown tendencies to keep scores lower in their recent games.
Luke Altmyer QB vs. Drew Allar QB
Luke Altmyer has turned out to be a surprise for Illinois in the current season. He has thrown for 862 yards, 10 touchdowns with no interceptions, and has a passer rating of 171 800. In this aspect, the lack of passing turnovers has also been important for the Illinois team. Altmyer’s goodness in the pocket would have to be excellent against the highly disruptive Penn State defense that has made it a habit of harrying opposing quarterbacks.
On the contrary, Drew Allar at Penn State has not only lived up to but surpassed the towering endorsements that were placed on him. Allar has been able to accumulate 729 passing yards with 8 touchdowns and a very high pass rating of 218 for the season. His average of 12.6 yards per all pass attempts helps to understand why this player can make such important contributions to the team that will help Penn State in this game.
Illinois’ Ground and Air Attack: A Strategic Analysis
Kaden Feagin and Pat Bryant have been extremely useful for the offensive scheme of the team in Illinois. Feagin has a solid 4.5 yards for carrying the ball, which helped to add a dependable run when Altmyer starts to unleash his passing attack that’s led by Bryant with 309 yards and 6 touchdowns already. Such a balanced attack will be sorely needed to breach the walls of the Penn State defense that have been particularly stout this season.
Penn State’s Offensive Playmakers: Critical to Victory
Penn State counters with Nicholas Singleton and Tyler Warren, who have been pivotal in their team’s offensive scheme. Singleton’s explosive 8.5 yards per carry and Warren’s dependable receiving skills (226 yards, two touchdowns) highlight a versatile offense that can strike from anywhere on the field. This dynamic duo will challenge Illinois’ defense both on the ground and through the air.
Trends
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
Illinois is 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Illinois’ last 6 games.
Illinois is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.
Illinois is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against Penn State.
Fighting Illini are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games against Penn State.
Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends
Penn State is 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Penn State’s last 7 games.
Penn State is 17-3 SU in their last 20 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Penn State’s last 7 games against Illinois.
Penn State is 10-1 SU in their last 11 games at home.
Illinois vs. Penn State Betting Prediction
From the analysis of the statistics and trends, my final opinion is a little more generous than the odds are predictable. No doubt, Penn State is the favorite, but Illinois has been competitive enough to be able to get the win against the spread. Here, the total is a more difficult call, but due to the factors that have caused both teams to trend under in their recent games, betting under would probably be a wise move.
To sum up, although Penn State appears to come out on top in the game, Illinois could as well cover the point spread, thus making them a better team to bet on against the spread. Already, the smart gambler may begin pondering the value of the total going under and pay attention to individual wagers on big-name players such as Altmyer and Singleton, who could tilt the line on side betting. Such a situation is a perfect opportunity for individuals who engage in NCAA football betting prediction to exploit.
Score Prediction: Penn State 28, Illinois 17.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: September 24, 2024
Last updated: March 31, 2025