This season, the Penn State Nittany Lions have only one loss to their name. As we enter the last week of the 2024 season, they are ranked No. 4 with a 10-1 record through 11 games and a 7-1 record in the Big Ten.
The Nittany Lions were three points behind the spread against Ohio State in a 20–13 victory, while Penn State’s only defeat was at home. Since then, they have won three in a row, including a victory in Minnesota last week by a single point.
Maryland, on the other hand, is only 1-3 away from home and 4-7 overall this season. The Terrapins have now dropped six of their previous seven games and four in a row.
Let’s examine some of the main plots, odds, and predictions for Penn State vs. Maryland.
Penn State has its eye on the Playoff
Though it isn’t their primary concern, the Nittany Lions will undoubtedly prepare for this game. On DraftKings Sportsbook, the nation’s fourth-ranked squad is about a -1000 favorite to qualify for the playoffs and a +1800 favorite to win it all.
In addition to their one defeat at the hands of Ohio State, Penn State has experienced other near-misses. In early September, the Nittany Lions were 34-point favorites and only defeated Bowling Green by a touchdown.
On October 12, they played USC on the road and came very close to losing for the first time. They did lose for the first game this month (against the Buckeyes) after defeating Wisconsin, and they just missed suffering a second defeat last week in a 26–25 victory in Minnesota.
The Lions still need to defeat Maryland, but they are heavy favorites and should be able to win this game.
Maryland vs. Penn State odds
Penn State is -24.5 favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook, according to the betting oddsboard, with the moneyline as high as -5000.
However, this is nothing new for Penn State. This season, the Nittany Lions have already been favored by 49, 34, 30, and 29.5. This will surpass the previous high of +23 versus Villanova on September 21st, making it the largest spread for Maryland.
Will Allen or Singleton run to the top?
With quarterback Drew Allar rushing for four touchdowns and a two-headed monster in the backfield, the Penn State Nittany Lions have had an outstanding running game this season.
With 664 yards on 146 carries thus far, Kaytron Allen has taken the lead. Right behind him, with 646 yards on 108 carries, is Nicholas Singleton. Singleton has four receiving touchdowns compared to Allen’s two, but both players have hit the end zone five times on the run.
All year long, these two have engaged in a healthy backfield back-and-forth duel. The Nittany Lions’ ability to apparently constantly have a new running back ready to wear out the opponent has been one of their advantages.
Maryland gives up 129.3 rushing yards per game, while Penn State is second in the Big Ten with 192.5 rushing yards per game.
Maryland vs. Penn State betting
Since its last victory on October 19, Maryland has had some difficulties. The Terps have dropped their previous four games by a margin of at least 14, including a 14-point loss to Rutgers as four-point favorites and a 16-point loss to Iowa last week as 4.5-point underdogs.
Recently, Penn State has distanced itself from a couple of opponents, including a 35-6 victory over Washington and a 49-10 victory at Purdue. This season, the Lions have covered a wide spread a couple times, but they were unable to do so at home against Bowling Green and UCLA.
Maryland vs. Penn State prediction
Here, in front of their home crowd, the Lions will want to end the regular season with a bang. They will be glad to return home after defeating Washington 35–6 the previous time out, which was a one-point victory last week.
The point spread for Penn State is -24.5 (-110) at BetMGM Sportsbook.
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