No. 19 Illinois is set to face off against No. 9 Penn State this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, with Penn State holding a lead in the series record at 21-6. The BetMGM College Football Odds favor Penn State by 17 1/2 points for this highly anticipated match-up.
Illinois comes into this game with a perfect 4-0 record, following a thrilling overtime victory against Nebraska last week. They have not had such a strong start to the season since 2011 and are looking to make this season truly special by defeating another ranked opponent in Penn State. On the other hand, Penn State is riding high with a 3-0 record and a remarkable offensive performance, racking up a program-record 718 total yards against Kent State.
A key matchup to watch out for is Illinois’ offensive line against Penn State’s pass rush. Despite showcasing one of the best pass rushes in the nation, Penn State has only managed four sacks so far, but they have been applying significant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Illinois’ quarterback Luke Altmyer will need to stay protected to unleash his playmaking abilities down the field.
Altmyer is a player to keep an eye on for Illinois, as he has shown significant improvement this season, completing 71% of his passes and throwing 10 touchdowns without any interceptions. Meanwhile, Penn State’s tight end Tyler Warren has been a versatile asset for his team, recording his first career touchdown pass in the last game and leading in receptions with 16 catches through three games.
Some interesting facts surrounding this game include Illinois starting 4-0 only four times in the AP poll era, playing five ranked teams in a seven-game stretch, and Penn State winning four of the last five games against Illinois. Notably, this marks Penn State’s first Big Ten home opener since 2015. Penn State and No. 5 Tennessee are the only two FBS teams averaging over 250 passing and rushing yards per game this season.
In conclusion, the upcoming game between Illinois and Penn State promises to be an exciting clash between two talented teams vying for supremacy on the college football stage.