It is almost Saturday, which means it's almost time for kickoff between the Penn State and Rutgers inside of Beaver Stadium over in State College, Pennsylvania.
But before all that, our staff of college football experts make their predictions on the final score.
WHEN: Saturday at Noon EST, Big Ten Network
WHO: Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
WHERE: Beaver Stadium -- State College, PA
PREDICTIONS FOR RUTGERS GAME (ESPN FPI: 86.8% CHANCE FOR PSU TO WIN)
Richie Schnyderite - Nittany Nation Publisher (Penn State: 32 / Rutgers: 10)
Both teams are coming into this weekend's game off of different results. Penn State is coming in off a tough 21-17 loss to No. 6 Michigan, and Rutgers is coming in off a big 38-3 victory over Indiana. However, that doesn't mean squat come kickoff on Saturday.
For the majority of the season, the Scarlet Knights' offense has struggled, minus a few games against some very bad opponents. Now match up it up against a top-ranked Big Ten defense in the Nittany Lions and it will cause a little bit of chaos (see the Wisconsin game).
Add in the fact that Penn State has one of the nation's best receivers in Jahan Dotson, plus the fact that the Rutgers secondary has been torched a few times this season already, and I think PSU wins this one pretty easily.
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Clay Sauertieg Nittany Nation Beat Writer (Penn State: 23 / Rutgers: 10)
The line for this one opened at 18 points or so depending on where you looked and I immediately felt that was far too high. Not only is Penn State lacking for motivation outside of pride, the Nittany Lions could be down a number of players due to illness and Rutgers comes in a game away from bowl eligibility. Combine with that a sputtering PSU offense and a Rutgers defense that ranks in the top 50 nationally in points allowed, and I think we’re in for a rock fight in Beaver Stadium. Give me Penn State, but in a low-scoring, ugly game.
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Dylan Callaghan-Croley - PSU Rivals Staff Writer (Penn State: 23 / Rutgers: 10)
This is going to be an ugly one for both sides. As I sit here and write my prediction, I wonder where the Nittany Lions are mentally heading into this one having lost four of their last five, turning a once-promising season into an extremely disappointing one.
Add in the potential that multiple players could miss the game because of the flu and this one becomes even harder to predict. Rutgers is always up and ready for Penn State, even in the middle of their worst seasons. This season, it could become bowl eligible with a win, which will definitely add a little extra fire for the Scarlett Knights on Saturday.
That being said, I think Penn State's defense is going to be the big key here, largely keep this Rutgers offense off the board. Offensively for Penn State, the line is going to be a huge question mark, especially with a handful of guys missing practice on Wednesday because of illness. However, I think Sean Clifford and Jahan Dotson will have one more big game in front of the home fans at Beaver Stadium, giving the Nittany Lions just enough to win. Expect e a close game throughout before Penn State puts it away in the fourth quarter.
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Chris Nalwasky - Rutgers-Rivals Beat Writer (Rutgers: 17 / Penn State: 16)
Rutgers hasn't beaten Penn State since 1988 and the Nittany Lions have won just about every game the two teams have played in against each other all-time. Rutgers has played well on the road the last two years. Penn State's defense is good, but I think Rutgers will be motivated enough to pull the upset. It'll be a low scoring game, but Rutgers leaves Beaver Stadium bowl-eligible thanks to key takeaways defensively and a standout play from somebody like Johnny Langan.
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