Personally, I'm not making that CBS bet, but the schedule is a ball-buster what with having to play the two best teams in the West on the road plus the familiar East powers. Auburn is obviously a challenge. Even Ball State is not a gimme after winning the MAC last year and bringing back most of their key players.
Re Wisconsin, we opened as a 3 1/2 point underdog, and the line has since moved to 4 1/2. I think that game should tell a lot.
After starting last season 0-5, the Nittany Lions finished the season with four consecutive wins to go 4-5 in the shortened season. Penn State does have 11 wins in three of the last five seasons, but I think this is a maximum nine-win team, and that is if Sean Clifford plays like he did in 2019 rather than how he played in 2020. Penn State opens the season at Wisconsin and then has a nonconference game against Auburn in Week 3. The Nittany Lions also have road games at Iowa and at Ohio State, plus Ball State in Week 2 of the season is not going to be a cakewalk. I think this is an eight-to-nine-win team and the under is a safe bet.
Re Wisconsin, we opened as a 3 1/2 point underdog, and the line has since moved to 4 1/2. I think that game should tell a lot.
Penn State under 9 wins (-130)
Projected Record: 7.8-4.2After starting last season 0-5, the Nittany Lions finished the season with four consecutive wins to go 4-5 in the shortened season. Penn State does have 11 wins in three of the last five seasons, but I think this is a maximum nine-win team, and that is if Sean Clifford plays like he did in 2019 rather than how he played in 2020. Penn State opens the season at Wisconsin and then has a nonconference game against Auburn in Week 3. The Nittany Lions also have road games at Iowa and at Ohio State, plus Ball State in Week 2 of the season is not going to be a cakewalk. I think this is an eight-to-nine-win team and the under is a safe bet.
College football odds: Miami, Penn State among best win total bets to make ahead of 2021 season
Breaking down the best college football win total bets entering this year based on SportsLine simulations
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