West Virginia Mountaineers at Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Preview
It’s a battle of the Big 12 against the Big 10 on Saturday as the West Virginia Mountaineers take on the Penn State Nittany Lions.
The West Virginia Mountaineers are going to look for a turnaround in 2023. Last season, the Mountaineers finished 5-7 and 3-6 in Big 12 play. The Mountaineers fell in their first two games of the season: at Pittsburgh and then at home to Kansas. The Mountaineers did finish strong with a road win at Oklahoma State a season ago.
For the Penn State Nittany Lions, James Franklin is starting his 10th season as the head coach. The Nittany Lions were really solid a season ago, including winning the Rose Bowl, 35-21 over Utah. Penn State finished the season 11-2, with a 7-2 Big Ten mark.
The two losses a season ago for Penn State came at Michigan and at Ohio State. Both those two teams reached the College Football playoff. The Nittany Lions finished with five straight wins.
The Penn State Nittany Lions are big favorites in this game. Penn State is listed at -20.5 over West Virginia. The total for this game is set at 50.5.
West Virginia Mountaineers
Head Coach Neal Brown has some work to do with his Mountaineers squad. He is hoping that with an extra season for many of his defenders, along with several transfers, they will be much improved. A season ago was a struggle on the defensive side, as the Mountaineers allowed nearly 33 points per game.
While the offense was solid, scoring 30.8 points per game, it’s tough to win College Football games consistently allowing 30+ points. On the offensive side for the Mountaineers, Garrett Greene will get the nod behind center. Greene got some time a season ago behind JT Daniels.
He struggled with three interceptions on 78 passes. CJ Donaldson returns as the lead running back for the Mountaineers. A season ago, he rushed for 526 yards and eight touchdowns.
Penn State Nittany Lions
James Franklin will see some changes in Happy Valley, but his team is still talented from the top to the bottom of the roster. The Nittany Lions did a ton of things right a season ago, scoring 35.8 points per game and allowing just 18.
The Nittany Lions on the defensive side will miss Ji’Ayir Brown, who led the team with four interceptions, but guys like Abdul Carter and Curtis Jacobs, along with Kobe King, should give them plenty of energy and effort.
Drew Allar takes over as the quarterback for Penn State. He will take the spot of Sean Clifford, who had a solid season in 2022. Clifford threw for 24 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and more than 2,800 yards. Nicholas Singleton will get the load of the carries as the top running back.
He finished with 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns a season ago. On the receiving side, the Nittany Lions will look to turn to KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who had four touchdowns last year.
Nittany Lions Smack Mountaineers in Opener
This is a little of a rivalry game, with geographic impacts involved, but do not expect this to be a very good football game.
The West Virginia Mountaineers are not ready to compete with the Penn State Nittany Lions in this game. James Franklin has his Nittany Lions ready to go and playing with strength and discipline.
The final score will not be close. Our final score prediction for this game is the Penn State Nittany Lions 42-14 over the West Virginia Mountaineers. Betting Penn State -20.5 is the way to go in this game on Saturday.
