Sign In $
College Football

Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Purdue Boilermakers Predictions, Picks, Odds

Daniel Dobish
Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read

The Penn State Nittany Lions and Purdue Boilermakers open their seasons at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on ESPN.

Updated on 05/08/2024
BetMGM BetMGM Exclusive Offer: Get a 20% Deposit Match up to $1,600 in Sports Bonus!
Bonus Code VIBONUS1600 Claim Now
Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER

PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS vs. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS BETTING PREDICTION

The Nittany Lions and Boilermakers not only open their seasons, but also obviously open conference play. This isn't the earliest Big Ten conference game in history, however, as that distinction belongs to Nebraska and Northwestern, a record set just last week in Ireland of all places.

Purdue flirted with a 10-win season in 2021, checking in with a 9-4 record. It was the highest win total in head coach Jeff Brohm's tenure in West Lafayette, and the most wins overall at Purdue since the late Joe Tiller led the team to an identical record in 2003.

Penn State has high expectations, but they're in a tough East Division which also includes Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, etc. Senior QB Sean Clifford returns to lead the offense, but he'll be playing behind a patchwork and inconsistent offensive line. The good news is that WR Parker Washington and RB Nick Singleton are back after above-average 2021 campaigns.

On defense for PSU, former Miami head man Manny Diaz leads the charge, and he has some major talent under his watch. DE Adisa Isaac and DT P.J. Mustipher return after injuries last season, and CB Joey Porter Jr. leads a strong secondary, along with the talented S Ji'Ayir Brown.

Look for Penn State to get off to the better start with its veteran quarterback. Purdue QB Aidan O'Connell is talented, but losing WR David Bell to the NFL ranks, while WR Milton Wright was deemed academically ineligible, will hurt its offense and cause a slower start.

Score Prediction: Penn State 26, Purdue 22
Best Bet: Penn State -3.5 (-110)
Best Bet: Under 53.5 (-110)

PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS vs. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds | CFP Central

PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS vs. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS BETTING RESOURCES

Date: Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022
Matchup: Big Ten
Venue: Ross-Ade Stadium
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Time-TV: ESPN, 7:00 p.m. ET

PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS BETTING ANALYSIS

Penn State has dominated Purdue over years, leading the all-time series 15-3-1, while winning each of the previous nine meetings overall. The last time Purdue won at home against Penn State was during that magical 2003 season, doubling up the Lions 28-14. Penn State has dominated against the number, too, cashing in four straight meetings, with Purdue's last cover in the series coming Oct. 15, 2011.

The Nittany Lions love seeing the calendar flip to September to kick off their season. Penn State has a healthy 9-2 ATS mark in the past 11 games played in September, with a 9-4 ATS mark across the past 13 conference games, too.

As far as the totals are concerned, it was all UNDER all the time for the Nittany Lions down the stretch last season. The UNDER went 6-1 in the team's final seven games, while cashing in five of the previous six Big Ten tilts. The UNDER is also 7-2 in the past nine games on the road, while hitting at a 5-1 clip in the previous six contests in the month of September.

Penn State has won the past 4 meetings vs. Purdue by an average of 28.8 PPG. (Getty)

PURDUE BOILERMAKERS BETTING ANALYSIS

The Boilermakers are looking to snap a nine-game losing streak in this series. The last time these teams met, Purdue was routed 35-7 in State College on Oct. 5, 2019. Penn State has won the past four meetings by an average of 28.8 PPG. The closest game in recent memory was Oct. 15, 2011, a 23-18 win by the Nittany Lions at home.

Purdue closed out the 2021 campaign with covers in five of the final six games, and Purdue is also 4-1 ATS in the past five games inside the Big Ten. It also enjoys playing on a natural surface, going 4-0 ATS in the past four games on grass.

For totals, Purdue cashed the OVER in each of the final four home games last season, while going 4-1 in the past five games overall. However, the UNDER is 4-0 in the past four games in September for the Boilers.

Due to Purdue's struggles in this series, the trends suggest a Penn State cover, perhaps even a lopsided win, while the UNDER connects.

PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS vs. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS BETTING TRENDS

  • Penn State is 9-4 ATS in the past 13 Big Ten games.
  • Penn State is 9-2 ATS in the past 11 September games.
  • Purdue is 4-1 ATS in the past five Big Ten games.
  • UNDER is 5-1 in the past six Big Ten games for Penn State.
  • UNDER is 7-2 in the past nine road games for Penn State.
  • OVER is 4-0 in the past four home games for Purdue.
  • UNDER is 4-0 in the pats four September games for Purdue.
  • Penn State is 3-0-1 ATS in the past four games at Purdue.
  • Road team is 6-1-1 ATS in the past eight meetings.
  • UNDER is 9-2-1 in the past 12 meetings overall.
  • UNDER is 4-1 in the past five meetings at Purdue.

College Football News

Daniel Dobish

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish
•