No. 4 Penn State (9-1, 6-1 in Big Ten, ranked No. 4 in CFP) will be facing off against Minnesota (6-4, 4-3) this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EST, broadcasted on CBS.
BetMGM has set the odds with Penn State favored by 11½ points.
Looking at the historical matchups, Penn State currently leads the series with a record of 10 wins to 6 losses.
As for what is at stake, Penn State finds itself in an excellent position for one of the coveted spots in the upcoming 12-team College Football Playoff. They also have a chance to compete in the Big Ten championship game, especially with a home game against a struggling Maryland squad lined up after this crucial away contest against a capable Minnesota team. A defeat to Minnesota, which is coming off a bye week, could severely hinder Penn State’s playoff aspirations and likely end their chances of claiming the Big Ten title. Meanwhile, a victory for Minnesota could significantly enhance their bowl game placement and build momentum heading into their rivalry showdown at Wisconsin in the final week of the season.
One of the key matchups to watch will be between Penn State tight end Tyler Warren and the Minnesota defense. Warren, who earned recognition as a first-team AP Midseason All-American, amassed 190 yards and two touchdowns during a commanding victory against Purdue last week. He currently ranks second among all FBS tight ends with 808 receiving yards and has remarkably converted 13 out of 16 rushing attempts into either first downs or touchdowns. The Gophers boast an impressive defensive record, standing second in the FBS for passes defended per game, tied for fourth in interceptions per game, and ranked 17th in yards allowed per passing attempt.
Players to keep an eye on include Penn State’s defensive end Abdul Carter, who has recorded multiple tackles for loss in each of his last three games. This junior, who formerly played as a linebacker, currently ranks second in the FBS with 17½ tackles for loss and sits seventh with eight sacks for the season. For Minnesota, linebacker Cody Lindenberg stands out as a key player, leading his team with 76 tackles and coming off a personal best of 14 tackles in their last game against Rutgers on November 9.
In terms of facts and figures, this marks Penn State’s fourth trip to Minnesota’s Huntington Bank Stadium since its inauguration in 2009. The Nittany Lions achieved victory during their first matchup in 2010, but suffered defeats in 2013 and 2019. Notably, this season marks the first time Penn State has won its first four road games since 2011. Quarterback Drew Allar is currently ranked third in the FBS for yards per pass attempt (9.8) and fifth in completion percentage (71.9). Additionally, the Nittany Lions have only allowed 49 points in the second half throughout the season, placing them second in the FBS for the best per-game defensive average. Minnesota counters with a notable record of 2-1 against ranked teams in the AP Top 25 during the season, with the Gophers yet to achieve three victories against ranked opponents in a single season.